FAQ

No. CISV is not affiliated with any religious organization or religion. CISV is open to all individuals regardless of their religious beliefs.

No. We are not encouraged or supported by any political direction. CISV is open to all individuals regardless of their political ideologies.

CISV's official language is English. Although many languages are informally spoken at camp, most CISV participants have some understanding of English.

English fluency is not required to participate in CISV. Children quickly learn to express themselves non-verbally or in basic English. The leaders and staff utilize "translation time" before and during activities to ensure all delegates understand and can fully participate in activities.

Programs for the upcoming year are announced in the late fall. Most applicants attend Mini Camp in early February where they interview for their program.

Our Programs have strict age guidelines. Staff must be the proper age on the first day of the program. Leaders must be the proper age on the day of departure for the program. Participants must turn the age specified by the program and the invitation, during the year in which the program is hosted.

All applicants must submit a written application and interview with an adult board member. Priority is given to families with CISV experience both in participating and volunteering for the local chapter.

In this case, paid program fees will be refunded in full.

Delegates, parents of delegates, and a delegation leader will meet several times before travel, usually at a family’s home. This allows delegates, parents, and leader to become comfortable with each other before traveling and easily discuss logistics.

“Precamps” is a term used for communicating logistical information from the hosting nation to all traveling nations. Most camps send 2-3 pre-camps prior to the start of camp. Pre-camp 1 is the first information sent from the hosting nation. The first pre-camp includes:

• Host chapter information
• Travel logistics: nearest airport, highly recommended arrival and departure time
• Contact information of host chapter and camp director
• Necessary CISV forms
• List of other countries/states that will be attending camp

Pre-camps 2 and 3 include more detailed information about the host chapter’s climate, camp theme, possible excursions, and more.

Prior to travel, delegates, parents, and leaders must complete the necessary CISV forms. Necessary forms are dependent on the program. Please visit the forms (hyperlink here) to see which forms are necessary for your upcoming program.

Participants ages 15 and under will travel in small groups, usually 4-6 youth with one adult leader. Participants ages 16-18 traveling as a Junior Counselor, an individual Youth Meeting delegate, or Seminar Camp delegate will travel alone.

An adult at least 21 years old who has completed the application process and is in good standing with CISV Rocky Mountain Denver, CISV USA, and CISV International. We strive to recruit the best leaders possible, many of them previous youth CISVers. It is vital that leaders can deal with difficult situations and support their delegates during travel and camp.

Fill out a written application and submit to rockymountaindenver@cisvusa.org. Must be at least 21 years of age and complete a criminal background check. Previous experience with travel and youth is recommended. Must be available to participate during summer (June-August) or winter (December-January) 10-30 days during offered camp dates. Click here for more information.

There are no financial opportunities for leaders as leaders are volunteers only. However, all travel costs and camp costs (food, lodging, transportation) are covered. Interchange leaders and local staff opportunities provide a small stipend.

Each camp has a group of local, national, and/or international staff adults who support camp logistics. Staff do not have a delegation but are required to live on-site during the program. Staff receives training and a small stipend.

Yes! Each year our chapter host a program that requires a local staff. Staff does not need to have previous experience with CISV (although preferred).

Each program has a full curriculum that includes activities and games to educate and inspire individuals to become active and contributing members of a peaceful society—active global citizens. Most days participants engage in 3-5 activities based on the four content areas of CISV activities (Diversity, Human Rights, Conflict and Resolution, and Sustainability), free time and leisure time, delegation time, mealtime, and cleaning time.

Camps for 14-18 year olds require delegates to take ownership of the program. Delegates usually split up into “planning groups.” Each planning group is challenged to work together and required to plan 1-4 activities during camp. Camps for 11-13 year olds are designed primarily by leaders and staff, but allow the option for delegates to plan activities.

Regional food. Special needs of the children (vegetarian, allergies, no pork, ...) are taken into consideration.

CISV is not affiliated with any religion. If a participant wants to participate in religious services while on a program, contact the host chapter as soon as possible. Most religious practices can be accommodated.

Delegates are prohibited from using electronic devices during camp, leaders and staff may use mobile phones, tablets, and most laptops during designated times and out of sight of delegates for communication with parents and emergencies only. Without the distraction of technology, delegates can fully immerse themselves in camp. Devices may be incorporated during family-based Interchange programs.

Our staff and leaders are prepared for most situations and follow the CISV Crisis Plan implemented by the local chapter. Each program has at least one staff member trained in CPR and First Aid. Additionally, all local CISV boards include trained risk managers.

Most programs utilize host families for 1-3 nights at some point during the program. Host families host a minimum of 2 delegates per stay. However, the interchange program requires families to host one delegate for 14-28 days.

During the interchange program, one participant stays with a family. For all other programs, at least 2 delegates live with a host family at one time.

Most families can be a host family. All host families must be members of the CISV Rocky Mountain Denver chapter in good standing.

Visit the “Join Us” tab and select “Become a Host Family” for requirements, the application process, and more information.

Becoming a host family with CISV is a voluntary activity. There are no paid opportunities.