858 Students Participate Across One Year of Experiential Learning
The Peter Heaven Culture Academy (PHCA), a youth vacation education program operated by Shincheonji Gwangju Church, has established itself as a meaningful alternative education model for students during school breaks.
Over the course of one year, a total of 858 students participated in the program, reflecting growing interest and positive responses from both students and parents.
PHCA is designed for youth members of the church’s children and student groups and focuses on helping students take an active role in exploring culture, arts, sports, and practical skills during vacation periods.
Participation Growth Across Winter and Summer Terms
According to program organizers, PHCA was held in two main terms during 2025:
Together, these sessions allowed students to experience a wide range of activities while maintaining continuity in program structure and educational goals.
Expansion Into Media and Digital Skill Courses
While early sessions focused primarily on culture, praise, and physical activities, the second term expanded into media and digital-focused courses.
This shift marked a move beyond participation-based activities toward career exploration and skill development, offering students opportunities to engage with practical and contemporary fields.
Organizers noted that this expansion reflected student interests and the changing needs of youth education, especially during school breaks.
Course Expo Supports Informed and Personalized Choices
One distinguishing feature of PHCA is its pre-course expo, held before each term begins.
During these expos, students and parents are able to:
This structure allows students to choose courses based on personal interest and aptitude rather than recommendation or obligation, while parents gain a clear understanding of the program’s direction and values.
Community-Based Education Through Talent Sharing
All PHCA courses are conducted through volunteer instructors from within the church community.
These instructors bring professional experience and practical expertise from their respective fields, creating a learning environment built on community participation and talent sharing.
Program organizers describe PHCA as a collaborative educational space where teaching and learning are shaped collectively rather than delivered through a single institutional model.
Student and Parent Feedback Highlights Balanced Learning
Participants reported that PHCA provided a different experience from traditional vacation routines focused on academic study or private tutoring.
Students shared that the program helped them:
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Discover personal interests
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Gain confidence through hands-on activities
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Build relationships with peers in a group setting
Parents also expressed satisfaction, noting that the program allowed their children to experience both learning and rest, while growing socially and emotionally during school breaks.
A Program Focused on Balance and Growth
Yoo Jae-uk, tribe leader of the Gwangju Church, explained that PHCA was developed to help students maintain balance—continuing their studies while also gaining new experiences that support healthy growth in daily life and faith.
He added that the academy will continue offering student-centered programs each vacation season, providing structured opportunities for learning, exploration, and personal development.
Continuing Into Its Third Term
With two completed terms and strong participation results, PHCA has now expanded into its third term, continuing to demonstrate the potential of vacation-based, experiential education led by community cooperation.
The program’s steady growth suggests increasing recognition of its approach as a practical and people-centered youth education model in Gwangju.
Source: https://vo.la/H6B4kXz
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