Program Information

"Among the young ones in the community are those known as junior youth, who fall between the ages of, say, 12 and 15.  They represent a special group with special needs as they are somewhat in between childhood and youth when many changes are occurring within them.  Creative attention must be devoted to involving them in programs of activity that will engage their interests, mold their capacities for teaching and service, and involve them in social interaction with older youth."  Ridvan 2001   Transformation for Peace was born in 1993 in Landegg University , Switzerland, when a small group of educators were invited to come and establish a 10 day summer program for Junior Youth.   Since that time Transformation for Peace has grown and spread to the site of the Townshend International School in the  Czech Republic, to Green Acre in Maine, USA, to Kinshasha, Congo, Africa and, starting in the summer of 2007,  to Dallas Texas. In 2008, it will also start in Canada.   The purpose of the Transformation for Peace program is to help junior youth establish a relationship with their spiritual selves as they prepare to take on their spiritual responsibilities at the age of 15.   The program is structured in such a way as to allow the whole person to have access to areas of himself through which he can develop his spiritual identity.  Each day consists of prayer and consultation, interaction and artistic expression, service and academic study.     The students are supervised very closely.  Each experience that the student has while at TFP is used as an opportunity to develop and understand his growing spiritual identity.   The day begins and ends with prayer. Each part of the structured daily program has the purpose of building spiritual and moral capacities.   Dallas Texas Program July 6 at 4 p.m. - July 13 9:30 p.m., 2008 We ask parents to bring their children to the Catholic Conference Center, 901 South Madison Road just off of I35E in Dallas, at 4 p.m. Sunday July 6.  The students will stay on the campus until Sunday, July 13 at 1:00 p.m., at which time they will be bused to the Dallas Baha'i Center.  They will rehearse for the gala in the afternoon, change into their dress clothes, have dinner, and meet their families and friends for the gala event.  The gala event starts at 7 p.m.  After the gala event, light refreshments will be served to all of the guests. About 9 p.m. we will share our final "Close of the Day" program with those that have attended the gala.  After the close of the day, parents are asked to take their children home.     The Structured Schedule of the Day   Morning Prayers at the sacred spot. Breakfast The Opening of the Day Academic Study Lunch Directed preparation time Afternoon Schedule Workshops on current issues affecting Junior Youth Service Project The Arts Program:  Music, Drama, Dance, Visual Arts, Photography. Dinner Evening Schedule Assembly consultations Evening program: olympics, movies, story telling, international dance night, talent night,  The Gala The Closing of the Day After hours deepening for the oldest group of students. International Staff They are Baha'is in good standing with their National Spiritual Assembly and that of the United States. They have had experience working with junior youth, and are sensitive to their needs. They have a particular talent or capability to share. They pursue personal and spiritual goals while supervising the TFP program. Texas Staff Information In Texas, John Rager, a co-founder of Transformation for Peace will direct the program. Adwoa Ulzen, Ellen Hakala, and Nader Masrour will assist. Other staff members will come from Canada, Europe, and around the U.S. Location Catholic Conference Center, 901 South Madison, Dallas, Texas 75208. The Catholic Conference Center is a peaceful retreat center in the central part of the City of Dallas. It is like a peaceful oasis/small campus with air conditioned "casas" linked to a dining hall, classrooms, and chapel by sidewalks. There are acres of green grass for playing soccer, volleyball and other games outside. The gala will be held at the Dallas Baha'i Center, 9400 Plano Road, Dallas, Texas 75238 at 7 p.m. Registration Baha'i junior youth (age12 - 15) and their friends are welcome to register. Maximum number of students is 45. Register at www.TFP.TexasBahaiSchool.com starting February 1, 2008. First come, first serve to fill three age levels with a balance of young men and young women. Cost of the program is $595 per student. Must be paid in full by June 1, 2008. What to Bring Clothes Prayer book Notebook and pencil Musical instrument/costume for the talent show Dress clothes for the gala (No jeans or shorts please. Long pants for boys and dresses or dressy pants for girls. Clean clothes without holes please. Collared shirt are nicer than T-shirts) Sheets and towels!!! (Pillow if you wish). If you don't bring your own, the cost of renting linen is $5 per day per bed! Personal care items (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, comb, deoderant... and if you like, shower shoes) and, if you wish, a camera.