Young people 15-18 years-old who want to make a difference in their communities can now apply for the 2021 Virtual Encampment, July 5-28, 2021.
Participants will learn and practice the powerful strategies of critical thinking, action planning, and using creativity and the arts in working for social justice.
Each year, the Encampment for Citizenship (EFC) runs a summer program that empowers young people aged 15–18 to tackle social injustice and make a positive difference in their communities and the world.
2019 Encamper David Caddle talks about the importance of being able to learn from other young leaders from around the country
In the summer of 2019, the Pesticide-Free School Project held its first event: a “Compost Tea Party” at the Rio Lindo Elementary School.
2019 Encamper Adriana talks why the about the compost tea party at Rio Del School was important for our future.
Nothing Can Stop Me Now song recorded at 2018 EFC InterGen(erational) Weekend (by Eagle Eye Imaging Solutions).
Created in the 2017 Encampment Digital Stories workshop. View all »
Hampshire College -- Encampment 2016, Amherst, Massachusetts.
Jon Kerner, Ph.D, (EFC 1965 CA) describes his Encampment experience.
Check out this music video on YouTube re gentrification created by Hosea and Carter at the 2020 virtual Encampment.
Spread the word – there are still spaces at the 2021 Encampment! Apply today! »
The EFC is looking for an educator with a social justice perspective and extensive youth leadership development experience. In 2021, our program is virtual but we hope to return to in-person programming in 2022. Training and onboarding begin part-time in May, and position is full-time in July. The follow-up program will require part-time availability August-December but ideally would transition into a full-time 12-month position in the fall.
Qualified applicants please apply by April 12 using the guidelines in this link »
While I had ideas about how to create fruitful dialogue at my school, I didn’t know how to go about making them reality until the Encampment. My passion project this year, “Let’s Talk About ...” (LTA), is an educational discussion series that is all about identity, and also about self-discovery. It’s had a lot of success for its first year, and I have the Encampment to thank for that. Without creating action steps, I don’t think I would have the focus that I do now.
My favorite LTA was our talk about Colorism. Ava (co-host) and I were super-excited to get outside and try this interactive activity. When we started, it was a little rough: Students were scared to share their thoughts, but once we got to the fourth statement, students were not only sharing what they believed and why, but also talking to one another. A lot of the people who showed up were already friends, but something tells me that they didn’t even know that they disagreed on certain things and ended up learning more about each other. I also think it showed a lot of the non-Black students that Black people are not a monolith! — Ijeamaka, West Orange, NJ
"I didn't know what to expect ..."
Carter tells us the ways the 2020 virtual Encampment changed his life and invites young people (ages 15-18) to apply for the 2021 virtual Encampment.
Young people 15-18 years-old who want to make a difference in their communities can now apply for the 2021 Virtual Encampment, July 5-28, 2021. With EFC’s community-based and arts-as-activism approach, participants will:
Participants will learn and practice the powerful strategies of critical thinking, action planning, and using creativity and the arts in working for social justice.
You're invited to an intergenerational discussion focused on the impact of COVID-19 on First Nations communities. Panelists include Margaret Moss, Neyooxet Greymorning, Mabel Picotte, EFC alum and former staff, principal of the Tiospa Zina Tribal School (plus teachers and students from the school) and Ada Deer, EFC alum and board member.
Whatever your age, come join the conversation! RSVP »
...This kind of music is transformational. When you sing it, you don't feel the same. Something feels different. Something feels more connected. Something feels more solid ... Resilient"
Nothing is going to stop this movement, so I offer “Moving On” as a way to articulate that. — Jane Sapp
Angel Mendez talks about his growth as a social justice activist with EFC.
The Encampment for Citizenship is the main catalyst for my personality today. read full profile
2020 Encampment
Our 2020 Virtual Encampment explored health disparities as highlighted by COVID-19 and also community and cultural resilience. In addition, Encampers learned about voting rights history and the importance of voting with featured speakers Faya Rose Toure’, Taylor Branch and LaTosha Brown. The Encampers shared their home communities with each other through community mapping and stories. The art of questioning was woven through the curriculum, as well as the use of arts in social justice organizing. Lively presentations by Nexooyet Greymorning and Dr. Linda Quiquivix provided indigenous perspectives. Read more »
(click above to watch the interview)
Ada Deer publishes memoir
We just learned about a PBS video — an interview with Ada Deer, EFC alum 1956 and former board chair. She speaks about her memoir, Making a Difference: My Fight for Native Rights and Social Justice.
It is a moving story of an American Indian activist, who successfully helped her tribe gain restoration of their sovereignty, and her life of activism and public service. And, it includes sections on her Encampment experiences. Check it out »
EFC’s Pesticide-Free Soil Project intern Moncerrat (with Sarahi) tells us about what they are observing in one pumpkin, part of a larger experiment in regenerative agriculture at The Abundant Table, an organic farm in Camarillo.
EFC’s Environmental Justice Learning and Action Project (EJLAP) focuses on ways young people can learn about environmental justice not only through focused workshops and research but by directly participating in community events to address social justice issues. Learn more »
The VCU Archives have the latest state-of-the-art scanners, which can provide giant, high-resolution copies of your prized photos and other documents! It also has 3-D and other printers that can replicate some of your other cherished items for the Encampment archival collection.You don’t have to surrender your mementos. You simply loan them to us for just long enough for us to make high-tech copies and we send them right back to you. Read more »