The 4th Annual Social Justice & Mindfulness Summer Camp (SJM Camp) is a 4-week experience that brings kids (ages 8 to 13) together for a transformational, empowering and a fun opportunity to learn and practice their power in creating a better world where we treat each other with dignity and respect.
Through Project-based Learning, AR/VR Technology, Film & Music training, dialogue circles and field trips, we provide students with the knowledge of social structures and government systems along with the study of spiritual concepts, universal laws of creation and mindfulness that will provide our participants with the critical thinking tools necessary to create a better world.
This year, the SJM Camp will focus on the Constitution of the United States of America. The first two weeks will focus on the Preamble and the last two weeks of the camp will focus on the Bill of Rights.
Camp participants will use their critical thinking as they learn and discuss the U.S. Constitution and how it applies today. They will work in small groups to create several educational multimedia projects such as Podcasts, original songs and videos as part of their learning experience.
Program Overview
Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) Training
The SJM Camp uses the latest AR/VR technology through the Microsoft Hololens and Occulus headsets to make learning fully immersive and interactive. This experience makes students motivated, excited and inspired to learn about their collective power to change the world. With the evolution of E-learning and computer-generated environments, our model seeks to involve students and teachers in an enhanced environment where they can see how concepts happen from a multidimensional perspective, such as augmented chemistry tables, 3D math problems, interactive geography, and other common core and educational enrichment lessons.
Yoga & Meditation
Students will learn strategies to help them navigate their world. They will practice yoga and movement. Through interactive exercises and activities students will learn and put into practice mindfulness and self-awareness.
Social Justice (Project-based Learning)
Students will get an overview of the past and present social justice movements. They will learn how to become change agents in their community by learning the importance of relationship building. Through art, music and technology they will create a Project-based Learning campaign to promote their issue and exercise their voice as change agents.
Film and Music Training
Students will learn the basics of music and video production as part of their Project-based Learning campaign. They will learn how to apply their message via art, music or visual media.
Dialogue Circles
Students will participate in daily dialogue circles that will teach active listening, withholding assumptions and empathy building to develop understanding of diverse perspectives. The dialogues bring students together to explore their social identities and promote respectful communication and self-reflection.
Field Trips
Students will participate in 4 field trips that will take place on Fridays starting July 9th. Students will be required to bring a lunch bag to the field trip.
Park Day Wednesdays
Every Wednesday, students will participate in outdoor activities at a local park such as Clover Park, Virginia Avenue Park and Tongva Park in Santa Monica.
Outcomes
Social Justice & Government Structures
- Learn the various social/government systems such as education, healthcare and judicial systems
- Explore issues facing diverse communities
- Design action plans that address individual or community issues that participants are passionate about
- Understand the power of research, writing, social media and digital citizenship
- Explore and celebrate cultures and diverse perspectives
Leadership
- Amplify impact by learning how to mobilize peers to achieve common goals
- Defining leadership; what makes a leader
- Explore decisive conflict resolution tactics
- Learn effective communication strategies
Spirituality & Mindfulness
- Learn and practice meditation to quiet the mind
- Learn self-awareness
- Learn Universal Laws of Creation such as the Law of Attraction
- Explore inner power of thought and how it creates our reality
- Experience a sense of unity among themselves, the earth and the Universal Mother/Father
- Explore individual and collective identity and learn about stereotypes
Enrollment Information
Students attending the summer camp must be between the age of 8 to 13. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited, enroll today!
Morning Activities Include
- Yoga and Meditation
- Social Justice/Social systems workshops
Full Day Activities Include
- Yoga and meditation
- Social justice/Social systems workshops
- Lunch
- Technology Training
- Music and Film Training
- Dialogue Circles
- Field Trips
Fees
The summer camp provides four options for students to participate.
- Option 1: Full day session from 8:30am to 4:30pm, $800 per child for 4 weeks.
- Option 2: Morning session from 8:30am to 12:30pm, $550 per child for 4 weeks.
- Option 3: One week session from 8:30am to 4:30pm. $250 per child for one week only.
- Option 4: One week Morning session from 8:30am to 12:30pm. $200 per child for week only.
- Option 5: Daily Rate from 8:30am to 4:30pm. $60 per child for one day only.
Tuition fees will cover materials, morning and afternoon snacks. Lunch will be provided.
Pico Youth & Family Center (PYFC) is committed to making the Summer Camp affordable for all families. Need-based scholarships are available. Apply at bit.ly/pyfcs5
FAQs
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Please email us at picoyouth@gmail.com or call (310) 396-7101.