All CISV educational programs are organized and run by dedicated volunteers. We aim to help participants of all ages develop the skills they need to take a lead and make a positive difference.
At the heart of everything we do is friendship, in line with our founding belief that peace is possible through friendship and mutual understanding.
Village
The Village programme is the flagship CISV camp, founded on the idea that early life experiences shape the way we see the world. CISV Villages are international camps that inspire 11-year- old children to imagine a more just and peaceful world. The children come together from many different countries to take part in a variety of educational, cultural and fun activities.
A Village creates a safe setting in which children from around the world learn about each other’s lives and cultures and how to communicate, cooperate and live together. The learning experiences and friendships made during a Village programme last a lifetime.
- Camp-based program
- Participants are all 11 years of age
- Delegations of 4 children from 12 different countries
- 23-28 days
Community
CISV starts in the local community. Each month there are activities for you and your friends to take part in such as Coldest Night of the Year, Cookie-A-Thon, Mini-Camp and more. You will get introduced to the pillars of CISV, have fun while giving back to our city and develop leadership skills.
- Organized by the youth leadership
- Participants are all 10 to 18 years of age
- Monthly
Youth Meeting
Youth Meetings are smaller regional camps, designed to facilitate discussion and learning around a central theme.
Small gatherings inspire big ideas. Youth Meetings bring groups of participants together from different countries, often within a region. They explore aspects of peace education related to a specific theme and share their different perspectives. The participants think about how they can apply what they have gained from their experience at a Youth Meeting within their own community, along with planning and communication skills to effectively drive local change.
- Camp-based program
- Delegations of 6 youth from 6 countries
- Participants aged 12-13
- 8 or 15 days
Step Up
Young people learn when given the chance to lead. CISV Step Ups encourage young people to take a leading role in planning and organizing activities. The participants and adult leaders use CISV’s Peace Education to guide the theme around which they plan activities, such as identity, democracy, or environmental protection. Step Ups provide great opportunities for young people to learn about how these issues are thought about and dealt with in different countries and cultures. Just as importantly, they make friends and gain a wider appreciation of global diversity.
- Camp based program
- Delegations of 4 youth from 10 countries
- Participants aged 14-15
- 21 days
Seminar Camp
Exchanging ideas; a powerful tool for global learning. This personally challenging programme is coordinated by the participants themselves. They develop their own agenda and explore global issues based on their respective backgrounds and interests, through activities, in-depth discussions, and social interaction.
Seminar Camp’s group-living environment encourages them to collaborate and to take a creative approach to problem-solving and resolving differences that can arise from healthy discussion.
- Camp-based program
- Individuals from 10-18 different countries
- Participants aged 16-17
- 21 days
National Camp
The programme offers an affordable opportunity for an introduction to a CISV experience while at the same time creates opportunity for others to gain valuable leadership experience. National Camp is organized and run by the Junior Branch leadership team. Individuals can attend if in good standing with their local chapter but applicants are accepted by the national organization. Delegates travel as individuals and there is not a leader assigned.
- Camp-based program
- Individuals from chapters in Canada
- Participants aged 11-17
- 7 days