SUNSHIP III
Perception & Choice For The Journey Ahead

Author: Steve Van Matre, Bruce Johnson
Format: Paperback
Length: 133 pages
Publisher: The Institute for Earth Education
ISBN: 0917011031

Notes: The complete program for 13-14 year olds must be purchased as a program package through a Memorandum of Agreement with the institute.

Item #: BS3

Price: $13.95

Order fulfillment provided by The Simple Living Network. Order by phone 800-318-5725 or 509-395-2323.

After 15 years of developmental work in 4 countries, The Institute for Earth Education has just published its program for 13-14 year olds. Called SUNSHIP III (not to be confused with Sunship Earth, the institute's pioneering program for the younger students), this is a completely different experience, named after the third planet from the sun.

How do you motivate a 14 year old? Steve Van Matre and his colleagues spent ten years figuring out the answer, then piloted their result for another five. This dynamic experience is about seeing things in a new way and making personal choices for a new lifestyle. An initial 2½ day "Commencement" serves as a powerful springboard for what the participants will continue working on back at home and school.

SUNSHIP III features: P/C, a twin-headed character representing both our harmonious and disruptus sides; Earth Woman, an old storyteller who sets the teenagers off on a journey of exploration and discovery; Solarians, a measure of sunlight energy that must be spent for every action taken; Billy's Day, a teenager with a lot of energy-intense habits he doesn't see; and The Shadow of Death, an early morning rendezvous for the earth's endangered species.

Excerpts:

ENDANGERED SPECIES CEREMONY
(Sacrifice and Destiny)

Awakened just before dawn on the final morning, the participants are told that there is an unusual gathering of creatures taking place in the forest nearby. Led by a candle lantern, they walk sleepily and quietly down a forest trail until they come upon a large clearing. Several silent, dark-clothed ushers motion for them to sit in rows facing a mysterious figure lit only by the light of a single candle lantern on a stump at its feet. The figure stands perfectly still with its back to the newcomers, leaning on a tall wooden staff and dressed in a long black robe with a large hood covering its head. The hood extends far enough out to hide its face in a black shadow.

When everyone has been seated quietly for a few moments, the figure slowly turns around toward the group, lifting its head as it does, and raps its staff on the ground. It calls out in a low voice...

"THE RENDEZVOUS"

Death: I am the shadow of death. Who has called me to this place just before the light? Who is dying?

(From behind a tree off to one side of the audience comes a plaintive reply.)

First Creature: We beseech you, oh Death. We know that death is natural---that from death comes life---but the humans are killing us all. They are condemning us to eternal death. None will be left to continue our species. Why do they do this?

Death: And who are you?

First Creature: We are the __________. Why do the humans destroy our homes?

Death: (pounding staff) Ah, arrogance and greed... (With a deep-throated, slightly eerie edge) all is arrogance and greed!

Who else is dying?

(From behind a shrub at the back comes the cautious reply.)

Second Creature: We are dying too, oh Death.

Death: And who are you?

Second Creature: We are the blue whales. Why do the humans hunt us relentlessly and destroy our food? They use our bodies to make cosmetics when other substances would do just as well.

Death: (Pounding the staff and cackling slightly.) Ah, vanity, vanity. All is selfishness and vanity.

Are there others dying this night?

(From behind a large rock at the other side comes a somewhat challenging cry.)

Third Creature: We cry out to you, oh Death. We are not afraid to die either, but why do the humans want it all? What have we done to them to deserve a death without light? Why must we be banished from the earth forever?

Death: And who are you?

Copyright © 1997 The Institute for Earth Education

About The Author:

Steve Van Matre is the author of Acclimatization, Acclimatizing, Sunship Earth, The Earth Speaks, Earthkeepers, Earth Education... A New Beginning and Sunship III. A former university professor, camp director, youth leader, school teacher, and educational consultant, he now travels the world introducing the earth education alternative to others.

Other Information:

The Institute for Earth Education is the world's largest organization for educators in the environmental movement, offering an alternative to the supplemental, infusion approach to educating students about our environmental problems. There are formal Branches underway in a dozen countries, with an international home base at Cedar Cove in Greenville, West Virginia.

Related Resources:

Earth Education... A New Beginning For All Those Who Love This Planet & Its Life
      By Steve Van Matre (Paperback)

Sunship Earth An Earth Education Program For Getting To Know Your Place In Space
      By Steve Van Matre (Paperback)

Earthkeepers Four Keys For Helping Young People Live In Harmony With The Earth
      By Steve Van Matre, Bruce Johnson (Paperback)

SUNSHIP III Perception & Choice For The Journey Ahead
      By Steve Van Matre, Bruce Johnson (Paperback)

Rangers Of The Earth Young People Responding To The Planet's Cry For Help
      By Steve Van Matre & Laurie Farber (Paperback)

The Earth Speaks A Powerful Tribute To Our Home In Space
      By Steve Van Matre, Bill Weiler (Paperback)

The Living More Lightly Profile Duplication Masters For Group Study
      By Steve Van Matre (Duplication Masters)