MOUNT VERNON — The First Congregational Church of Mount Vernon is celebrating the opening of registration for their fifth annual Peace Village, an interfaith friendly community-wide summer peace camp for children. Peace Village is the first and oldest summer camp to be held at Ariel-Foundation Park, and will meet again in our world class park taking in and exploring the beauty of the lakes, river, fields, flora, fauna and other sights. The peace camp is open to children grades 1 to 6. The camp is held July 29- Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Charlotte Watson, a lifelong Mount Vernon resident, retired elementary school teacher and the co-director of the peace camp, noted “We are so pleased to be presenting our fifth Peace Village for the community. The children love this camp. I do too! We have a great time playing, singing and studying peace outdoors in the park. It is an amazing experience. That’s why it has been going strong for five years.”

Rev. Scott Elliott who brought Peace Village to Ohio, and co-directs with Watson, added “Twenty years ago my children attended a Peace Village and they thoroughly enjoyed it. They loved the peace teachings and so did my wife and I. I hear the same thing about the Mount Vernon Peace Village; children and parents and the teachers love it. It is fun and, well, ‘peace-full’. There are exciting classes, singing, drumming, art, interfaith stories about peace, hiking and fun. It’s an adventure the campers are likely to not only enjoy, but never forget.”

Registration for 2019 Peace Village is already underway and is limited to the first 30 children, grades 1-6, who mail in a valid registration form. For more information call 740-393-1736 or log on to mvucc.org. There is a $25 registration fee but scholarships are available.