“How did we get here, and what can I do to change it?”

When you share your voice, values, and life experiences with others, you create community—the living heart of democracy—and the possibilities for transformation are endless. EFC is an intergenerational community to address injustice and create a future where every voice is heard.

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The Encampment is …

... a summer experience to live what you learn, make friends from across the nation, and expand your worldview.

... year-round opportunities for leadership development, building community, and learning.

... a nationwide network of committed alumni and partners, working for social justice in their home communities.

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July 2-23, 2024

If you are a young person (15-18) and want to develop your activism skills, apply to the Encampment. We have a few spaces left for the 2026 Encampment so apply now! Click to learn more.

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News & Events

EFC’s Community Gathering to Meet Dr. Faith Kares

EFC’s Community Gathering to Meet Dr. Faith Kares

Our latest InterGen Café took place on February 21 ushering in new leadership and kicking off a new chapter of the Encampment. We had a whopping 72 participants! 40% were alums and more than half of those alums were youth 30 years-old and younger. Also, 25% of the gathering’s participants were brand new to the Encampment. This is how we build our base and remain strong for another 80 years.

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Date Change: Join us February 21

Date Change: Join us February 21

The EFC community gathering planned for January 10 has been postponed to February 21, 2026, 9 a.m. Pacific/10 a.m. Mountain/11 a.m. Central/12 noon p.m. Eastern. Please save the date! Participants will gather virtually to meet our new Executive Director Dr. Faith R. Kares (she/her), board members, and recent alums. They will introduce our vision of expanding the EFC’s impact and capacity, and how we are meeting this moment of ongoing crisis and precariousness.

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Ripple Effect – Samara Smith Alum Story

Ripple Effect – Samara Smith Alum Story

Samara Smith, 2015 MS “We always say ‘young people are the future and we are going to change things’ but often when you are in high school you are not really talking about these issues in person. You might be in an online group that’s talking about them or you might see social media posts about them but talking about them in person and actually meeting people whose lives are affected — that’s different.” 

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Shaping Social Justice Values, an Alum Update: Deanna Mousseau

Shaping Social Justice Values, an Alum Update: Deanna Mousseau

Hello, I am Deanna Mousseau from the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and Oglala Sioux Tribe. I was a part of the Encampment in Jackson, Mississippi, in 2015 and Amherst, Massachusetts, in 2016. I was an intern in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 2017. I am excited to share more about myself, why I think the Encampment for Citizenship program is important, and why now is the time to support our emerging young leaders.

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Ripple Effect – Samara Smith Alum Story

Samara Smith, 2015 MS “We always say ‘young people are the future and we are going to change things’ but often when you are in high school you are not really talking about these issues in person. You might be in an online group that’s talking about them or you might see social media posts about them but talking about them in person and actually meeting people whose lives are affected — that’s different.” 

We are strengthening democracy by creating community.