High on a hill in New Boston there is a village populated by tiny creatures called “peeps,” who have built homes, established businesses, built a village and created their own government.

This might sound like a science fiction story, but in reality, it is the creation of 23 children playing the Game of Village at the South Hill Farm.

Every summer, children ages 9 to 14 come to Sue Martin’s South Hill Farm and take part in a five-week program centered on the Game of Village. Martin has hosted the camp for 18 years.

The game, while being fun, is designed to teach lessons about living in society. The children create a village in miniature with its own government and economy. The children first create characters known as peeps, which are made from wooden clothespins, to each camper’s desires. Each peep has a personality and lifestyle determined by the campers.

Since the peeps need a place to live, children search out a place to homestead, where they construct homes for their peeps and a peep village. The construction is supported by a workshop in the farm’s old barn and by the camp staff.

The land purchases for the homesteads are financed by mini-money loaned from the village bank. The peeps provide goods and services for which the are paid also in mini-money. The daily activities of the village are run by a government organized by the kids.

This season, the village was named Etch-A-Sketch-Astan and was located in a stand of softwoods about a half-mile from the barn. The village included a church, hospital, tea house, arena, swimming pool and 23 homes.

On the next to the last day of camp, a mini-fair took place. The peeps and children put on a show for their parents, friends and the public. Tours of the Etch- A-Sketch-Astan village were given, carnival rides for the peeps were available and refreshments were served.

For more infomation on the Game of Village camp, visit www.TheGameOfVillage.com.