Here are a few images from the physically, mentally, and spiritually challenging weekend!

Just getting to Ceres was an adventure for the La Verne kids!

Saturday included a tour of the Heifer International farm and Global Village and some hard work.

Mmmoooooooooooooooo!

That's a really big weed.

Finally lunch time!

The Heifer International volunteers led the group in some fun, group-building activities in the afternoon.

Then it was time for the overnight Global Village experience!

The morning after...

In June, PSWD youth and leaders had a great experiential weekend at the Heifer International ranch at Ceres, outside of Modesto. Ceres is a working farm and education center that celebrates the history of Heifer Project (now Heifer International), an organization started by church member Dan West and other Brethren. Ceres integrates organic gardens, global housing and a variety of livestock, giving visitors and volunteers a meaningful experience.
Heifer International envisions a world of communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet. Their mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. The primary way they do this is by “passing on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding global network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created.
Participants in the work camp were involved in a weekend of service learning, doing some work to support the ranch, participating in challenge activities that stretched individuals and the group, and living for one night as members of the Global Village. The Global Village provided an experience for participants to learn a bit about what life is like for people from different cultures and economic backgrounds, as they lived in family groups together with limited resources. Families stayed in minimal shelters representing the average family homes in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the urban slums. Work-campers worked, worshipped, learned and lived together; an experience that challenged and blessed all involved!