Punta de Mita, Mexico - Summer is often a time where there’s a lack of supervision, structure, guidance and all forms of education for youth. Local nonprofit, PEACE, seeks to get children and teenagers off the street and into a positive, fun learning environment during this vulnerable time.

This year, the sustainability-themed camp welcomed over 200 children and teenagers from La Cruz, Sayulita, Punta de Mita, Bucerias, and Higuerra Blanca. Local teachers and PEACE interns, from both the United States and Mexico, created curricula for each camp that focused on sustainability, community development, recycled art and ecology.

“The best thing about camp was the eagerness, ideas, and energy from the students,” said Ali Elias, teacher at the La Cruz camp.

Older camp participants participated in dance and yoga, made rain retention systems and solar ovens, gone on field trips to universities, and are participating in social service projects. The younger children studied animals and nature through games, art and field trips to the local zoo and dolphin center.

“What I liked most about the PEACE camp is that we learned how we can help the planet and ourselves by recycling,” said Kevin Lopez, a 17-year-old camper in La Cruz. “I liked being able to meet new people and learn about how to care for the planet.”

PEACE Summer Camp 2011 was made possible by the support of schools, businesses, and generous individual donations. PEACE would like to give a special thanks to Amy Welch, PEACE Home Tours, Vallarta Adventures Dolphin Center, Nuevo Vallarta Zoo, and the Four Seasons for their accommodation and support.

PEACE, (Protection, Education, Animals, Culture, Environment) established in 2005, is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization made up of three main programs which focus on education, animal well-being, and environmental protection in the Bay of Banderas, Nayarit, Mexico. PEACE works hand-in-hand with communities in Mexico to provide holistic education, combined with community action programs that enable people to improve their quality of life as well as their financial stability.

For more information, please visit PeaceMexico.org or click HERE to read more about PEACE