Seeds of Peace

OTISFIELD, MAINE | The second session of the 2010 summer begins at the Seeds of Peace International Camp on Wednesday, July 21.

Egyptian, Israeli, Jordanian, Palestinian and American teens will open the Camp’s 46th session in 18 years with a flag-raising ceremony at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Each delegation will sing its national anthem while raising its flag, and the hour-long ceremony will conclude with the raising of the Seeds of Peace flag.

The first session of the summer ended last week, and this second group of campers will be in Maine until August 9. Among the 155 participants, 32 are teens from Maine. The Maine Seeds program, now in its 10th year, aims to address racial and socioeconomic tensions between various local communities.

During the session, Seeds of Peace will host the 9th Annual Play for Peace program, during which professional athletes will conduct a sports clinic for the campers. Organized by sports agent Arn Tellem, Play for Peace has provided an opportunity for Seeds to learn more about the values of teamwork and cooperation.

Since 1993, Seeds of Peace has graduated well over 4,000 teenagers from five conflict regions from its internationally-recognized leadership program. Through its International Camp in Maine and regional programs, participants develop empathy, respect, and confidence as well as leadership, communication and negotiation skills—all critical components that will ensure peaceful coexistence for the next generation.