World Water Week Contests

Dream Village is running two contests tied to World Water Day and the launch of its first book, "Saved by the Well". To learn more about Dream Village, click here.

Contest: Dream Maker, World Changer Contest (for Children Age 6-10)

Dream Village is excited to offer one lucky reader the opportunity for a full scholarship to Beam Camp, (http://www.beamcamp.com) a 4-week overnight summer program for boys and girls aged 7-17 in Strafford, New Hampshire.

Beam Campers cultivate hands-on skills while exploring innovative thinking, design and the creative process. They transform ideas into artifacts and personal achievement into community success. The program's centerpiece is The Beam Project, a large-scale collaborative endeavor that campers plan, produce and play with. Beam commissions a different distinguished artist, architect or general big thinker as Project Master to conceive each summer’s Project.

Overview

The contest is open to all children of elementary school age who have read Dream Village’s first book, “Saved by the Well”. The contest will ask our readers to share their thoughts on the book and the issues discussed in the book by responding to at least one of the following questions:

  • What did you learn from this book and from the Website?
  • How did learning about these issues make you feel?
  • What suggestions do you have for Jonzi and Jiji, and the people at DV?
  • What suggestions do you have for the people at PlayPumps International?
  • Now that you have learned about these issues, what can you/do you want to do to help?

Rules

The parameters of the contest are outlined below:

  • Winner will be selected by a panel featuring (2) members from DV and three (3) members from Beam Camp. Selection process may also include DV’s “Child Ambassadors”.
  • Any child of elementary school age will be eligible to participate in the program (1st - 5th grade).
  • Contest runs 3/20 – 5/1 (including World Water Day and Earth Day). Winners announced on Mother’s Day, 2009.
  • Responses will include two components: a one paragraph recommendation from an educator, and a maximum two page (8.5 x 11) submission by the student. The student portion can incorporate typed or written text and illustrations or drawings (physical or electronic copies must be received by 5/1). Dream Village has partnered with a digital partner to facilitate online submission.
  • Winner will have the opportunity to attend Beam Camp via full scholarship in the summer of 2009 or defer to the summer of 2010. Winners will also be able to transfer/donate the scholarship to a qualified list of scholarship candidates as determined by Beam Camp.

How to Submit Your Entry

Children (or a grownup on the child's behalf) can submit the following way:

  1. Complete the first portion of your entry by answering at least one of the questions above in a format you deem appropriate. The rules have been kept explicitly loose for a reason, so children can submit essays, illustrations, poems, stories, or some assortment of approaches.
  2. Secure a one paragraph recommendation from an educator, ideally a teacher, but this can include mentors, scout leaders, or even counselors. Someone without a familial relationship with the child is recommended.
  3. Send the completed entry back to Dream Village by 5/1 (received by 5/1) via email (worldchanger@dream-village.org) or regular mail (23 Roberts Place, Somerdale, NJ 08083).

If you have any questions about the contest, please contact Suneet Bhatt via email at suneet@dream-village.org.

 

Contest: World Water Day Launch (March 20th)(Completed)

On Friday, March 20th, Dream Village is planning awareness events in schools and communities nationwide in conjunction with World Water Day. Getting involved is easy--especially for those who act quickly. Enter the contest here.

Celebrate World Water Day in Your Area

On Friday, March 20, 2009, join Dream Village in celebrating World Water Day and the nationwide release of our first book, Saved by the Well, which discusses the global water crisis. The book tells the story of children in Spontania, Mozambique who struggled for access to clean, fresh water--until the nonprofit organization PlayPumps International came to the rescue.

We recognize that Dream Village is not an established entity and that World Water Day often falls in the shadow of other events (from Spring Break to Earth Day). To that end, Dream Village is offering a contest for individuals and organizations that work with children in a group setting (educators, counselors, even boy/girl scout troop leaders): Be one of the first 50 people to sign-up for Dream Village's WWD Launch and you'll receive our introductory program, free.

>> Enter the contest here.

>> Learn more here.

When you join us in celebrating World Water Day, you receive:

  • A copy of the book Saved by the Well
  • 25 Dream Maker certificates of recognition
  • A copy of the “Grown-Up's Guide: Water Edition,” a teacher's guide and training session
  • Access to the Dream Village web portal (which empowers the children you work with to determine where Dream Village will donate its profits)

Using Dream Village in the Classroom

  • Read and discuss the book with your class or the children you work with as part of World Water Day
  • Use the Website to further explore the global water crisis, related issues such as hunger and education, and other relevant topics such as Africa and Mozambique
  • Use the book, site and Guide as a starting point to discuss social responsibility and global issues, and even to come up with your own creative ways to get involved and make a difference

3/20 is Just the Beginning

We know that many of you may not be able to participate on 3/20 for a variety of reasons (your school is on spring break, you may not have enough time to think through a program on such short notice, etc.), so we encourage you to think of 3/20 as a "launch". Some of our partners will be reading these books to their children through Earth Day (on 4/22) and beyond.