Killeen, TX – Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children welcomed 20 Salado High School students on Wednesday, September 25 for a high-adventure leadership retreat.  As part of the Youth Leadership Program at Salado High School, students challenged themselves on the 40-foot rock wall, 175-foot zipline, low-ropes obstacle course and other activities. 

The Environmental Education Program at Peaceable Kingdom provides adaptive curriculum and confidence-building activities for both mainstream and special education students enrolled in 1^st-12th grade, at 12 Texas public school districts including Salado ISD, Killeen ISD, Temple ISD, Belton ISD and Texas School for Deaf.  The program incorporates hands-on educational lessons and high-impact recreational adventures that help students develop communication and teamwork skills, as well as self-confidence and critical-thinking sills. The educational and character building activities are magnified against a backdrop of beautiful and serene outdoor retreat. 

This month, the nonprofit retreat celebrates back-to-school with the 15^th anniversary of its Environmental Education Program, an award-winning youth development program. Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children, a program of Variety The Children’s Charity of Texas, offers field-trip opportunities throughout the school year, as a collaborative venture with schools, students and their families.  

Schools partner with Peaceable Kingdom to incorporate hands-on educational activities that complement classroom curriculum in the study of: archaeology, paleontology, meteorology, geology, water, plants, animals, habitats, conservation, climates, history and culture, as well as focusing on social and emotional development through each activity.  The Environmental Education Program also incorporates a therapeutic recreation component, which engages students with special needs in fun, safe, age- and ability-appropriate activities such as: hiking, archery, fishing, sports, high and low ropes challenge course, miniature golf, art, crafts, drama, dance and games.  All the activities at Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children are adapted to accommodate every grade and ability level of the students.

For more information about the Environmental Education Program, call Leslie Gilmore at 254-554-5555 or email leslieg@varietytexas.org. To schedule a school field trip, contact Laura Nickel at 254-554-5555 orlauran@varietytexas.org. Individuals and businesses can support the EEP through a sponsorship gift which provides field trips for local students. Donations can be sent to Variety, Attn: EEP Gift, 19051 FM 2484, Killeen, Texas 76542, or online at www.varietytexas.org. 

Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children is a program of Variety, The Children’s Charity of Texas, a not-for-profit organization with a mission to empower children with special needs in Texas. Variety serves nearly 9,000 children and their families annually.  The retreat is located on 120 acres along the Lampasas River in the hill county near Killeen, Texas, and offers environmental education field trips, weekend retreats and summer camps. Discover more at www.varietytexas.org and become a “Friend” at http://www.facebook.com/#!/VarietyTX.