Programs & Projects

2003 Youth Peace Travel Team The team members are (L to R) Laura Sweitzer from Auburn, IN; Erica Schatz from Lomita, CA; and Mandy Wampler from Annville, PA.

Youth Peace Travel Team

2003 Youth Peace Travel Team

• Erica Schatz

  just graduated from the University of LaVerne (LaVerne, CA) with a degree in Education. Erica attends the South Bay Community Church of the Brethren in Redondo Beach, California.

• Laura Sweitzer

  studies a combination of Spanish, Economics, Art, and Foreign Relations at Earlham College (Richmond, IN). Laura goes to the Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren in Auburn, Indiana.

• Mandy Wampler

  will be a junior at Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY) where she studies Politics. She grew up in Annville, Pennsylvania at the Annville Church of the Brethren.

For the thirteenth summer in a row, the Youth Peace Travel Team is hitting the road! This summer, three fabulous women are touring six Church of the Brethren camps, teaching about issues of peace and justice. Your prayers, notes, and support would be appreciated as they trek across the Midwest by Greyhound bus, car, and plane. If you like to send an email note of encouragement or let the team know you are praying for them, please email Kim Stuckey. Messages will be passed along to the team by mail each week. Want to know more about these dynamic and courageous young adults? Read on...!

Five Questions for the Youth Peace Travel Team

1. What are you most excited about this summer?
   Erica: Bonding with Mandy and Laura, exploring the Midwest, the roadtrip to Boise!!, and sharing my knowledge and passions with youth.
   
   Laura: I’m excited to visit all of the different Brethren camps and share ideas and experiences with the youth. I am also excited for our big road trip to Annual Conference. Boise or bust!
   
   Mandy: The road trip out to Annual Conference, via Montana. Bonding with my fellow Peace Teamers. Four-Square. Campfires. Growing. Teaching. Learning. Sharing.
2. What do you think you will miss while you are traveling this summer?
   Erica: I will definitely miss my mom, dad, brothers, and the rest of my family. I will also miss all of my friends and hitting the LA scene with them. And I can’t forget Camp LaVerne.
   
   Laura: I’ll miss my friends from home and college, family, and throwing on a pottery wheel.
   
   Mandy: My mom’s cooking. My bed. All my great and beautiful friends and family. The big city life, and by that, I mean Annville. Oh, and if I had a puppy (Mom, Dad – hint, hint), I would miss that, too.
3. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
   Erica: Chocolate chip cookie dough
   
   Laura: Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey
   
   Mandy: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Sundaes
4. What do you want to be when you grow up :) ?
   Erica: A third grade teacher
   
   Laura: I’m not exactly sure yet...my career ideas change daily. I hope to do BVS after college.
   
   Mandy: Hopefully, I will graduate from college sometime short of six years. A BVSer. A nomad. Working for social justice.
5. What is one dream you have for the Church of the Brethren?
   Erica: To expand and grow more in the West.
   
   Laura: I would love for the Church to continue the wonderful aid programs they have established around the world and to increase resources towards the environment, education, diversity, medical assistance, and hunger ending programs.
   
   Mandy: For it to establish a strong sense of itself as a PEACE church and to really embrace that stance.

2003 Youth Peace Travel Team Summer Schedule

• June 10-14 Team Orientation at Camp Woodland Altars
  33200 State Route 41, Peebles, OH 45660-9579
• June 15-21 Camp Woodland Altars
  33200 State Route 41, Peebles, OH 45660-9579
• June 22-28 Camp Brethren Heights
  9478 Brethren Heights Road, Rodney, MI 49342-9617
• June 29-July 5 On the road, Traveling to Boise, ID
• July 5-9 Boise, ID, Church of the Brethren Annual Conference
• July 13-19 Camp Mack
  PO Box 158, Milford, IN 46542-0158
• July 20-26 Camp Pine Lake
  23008 W Avenue, Eldora, IA 50627-8181
• July 27-August 2 Camp Emmaus
  3011 W Camp Road, PO Box 128, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0128
• August 3-9 Camp Hammond Mills
  PO Box 57, Peace Valley, MO 65788-0057