In week two of the 2026 Encampment, Encampers delved into “How Did We Get Here,” starting by looking at their home communities. They then traced their families’ stories of migration/movement and the societal factors involved. This leads into the exploration of systemic oppression such as segregation, redlining, gentrification, etc. They learned more ways that people have resisted oppression and identified ways they can work for change. Thursday brought a unique opportunity to travel to Limuw Island with members of the Chumash community as guides to the history, culture, and environmental stewardship of their ancestral homeland. Encampers also began a series of youth-led workshops, starting with the issue of gun violence.
“How Did We Get Here?”
The week started by asking, “How did our communities become what they are today?” This session invited participants to approach history differently than in most schools. Through creative expression, dialogue, and inquiry, Encampers examined the issues, challenges, strengths, and hopes that define their communities today and began exploring the historical forces that shaped them.
They created art together in geographic groups that showed some of the challenges and strengths in their communities and shared them with the whole group. Click on the images to get a look at the details.
Tracing Our Journeys — Migration and Movement
“Every person has a story of movement. For some, that story may involve immigration across national borders. For others, it may include migration between cities, states, reservations, rural communities, or neighborhoods. Some journeys were made in search of opportunity, safety, education, or family. Others were shaped by economic hardship, displacement, conflict, discrimination, or forces beyond an individual’s control.” — Jesus Salcido, Program Director
Encampers responded to the questions below and, by listening to each other, deepened their understanding of their own identities and the diverse journeys represented in the EFC community. They also created these visual maps of their families’ migrations. Click to view.
- Where did your family come from?
- What historical context informed their movement?
- Why did they move?
- Why did they stay?
- What opportunities were they seeking?
- What challenges did the face?
- What sacrifices did they make?
- What traditions were carried forward?
- What was lost?
- What was gained?
Power, Opportunity, and the Systems We Inherited
Encampers examined the systems and institutions that have influenced who has access to opportunity, resources, safety, and power throughout history and through the present day.
Through an interactive simulation and guided reflection, Encampers examined examples such as redlining, segregation, disenfranchisement, urban renewal, gentrification, immigration policies, and other systems that have influenced where people live, learn, work, and build wealth. The session also highlighted the ways individuals and communities have challenged injustice through organizing, advocacy, mutual aid, civic engagement, art, and collective action.
This workshop strengthens the Encampers’ ability to connect personal experiences and community observations to larger social systems and helps them reflect on their own role in shaping a more just and equitable future.
While the Encampers are tackling these serious issues they are also building community and having fun together. Click for a few glimpses.
Limuw–Land, Memory, and Resilience
The Encampers traveled by ferry to Limuw-Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park. Guided by Chumash community members and cultural educators, the Encampers learned about the island’s history; the enduring relationship between the Chumash people and their ancestral lands; colonization of the island by the Spanish; and ongoing efforts to preserve culture, language, knowledge, and community among generations.
Click to hear Marcus and Casmali Lopez, with other members of the Chumash community, leading the group in a traditional song.
Casmali Lopez walked with the Encampers, pointing out a native cherry tree and describing the impact of non-native invasive species on native plants, using morning glory vine as an example. He and his fellow community member, Mike, talked about the ancestral tomol culture and the shell-bead trade with the mainland. Click to hear more about shell-beads which were a valuable resource traded in many states.
Click to hear Casmali make a point about how the connection to what we buy, knowing where and who made it, has been lost with the use of modern money. The clip also shows the Encampers smelling native sage for the first time.
Some short video clips
Encampers do some wading in the Pacific Ocean.
Reading the World
Encampers were invited to slow down and critically examine the forces that shape their daily lives, particularly through social media and digital culture. By exploring how algorithms, media platforms, and online communities influence attention, identity, values, and beliefs, participants asked deeper questions about power and influence in the modern world.
Youth-Led Session One
As part of the Encampment’s role in developing leaders, the Encampers split into groups and worked together to identify a topic that affects them. They then unpacked that with the larger group in a workshop environment.
The first group presented on the topic of gun violence. Despite all the differences in the room when it came to race, gender, geographic location, and economic opportunity — every single person shared that they were affected by gun violence in America in some way, shape, or form.
“The Encampers talked about the constant gun violence in the news. Gun violence hits home for everyone. It’s scary, because anyone could be next no matter the age. One Encamper mentioned how spooky this workshop was, because they didn’t have a lot of news like this in Iowa. They also added how much this opened their eyes to what others are experiencing that they were not aware of.” — Lucy Jabbour, 2026 Creative Arts and Activism Facilitator
Encamper Quotes
“Makes me angry and makes me wish I knew what to do.”
“Takes a person’s life and their dreams.”
“I’ve been desensitized in a way; the more [gun violence] is normalized.”
“We didn’t really take the time to acknowledge a death in our community in school outside of one moment of silence.”
“I just remember the shots and running … and my mother’s scream.”
“Anyone I know could be next.”
“I was 7 years old when a guy pulled a gun on my dad.”
“My friend called me. I could hear running and gunshots in the background.”
What was your favorite activity in week two?
“The creative groups, because I feel connected to the music and I love expressing how I feel through music.” (Encamper from music creative group)
“The facilitation teams. It’s an awesome opportunity for Encampers to step into the role of staff and teach some things we know about and have experience in.” (Second-year Encamper)
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Encampers map their historical journeys visually.
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Talent Davis, Residence Advisor and Facilitator takes a selfie with Encampers.
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Birthday singing and dancing.
Learn more this weekend, July 18–19, the 2026 InterGen. Virtual registration closes today, Friday, July 17.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Youth Creative Presentations and Q&A (livestream)
Sunday, 9–10:30 a.m.: Intergenerational Dialogue: Courage & Meeting the Moment (in-person and remote option)
Click to register for the virtual version.
Thank you to the summer program staff who helped supply images and video of the activities, especially Lucy Jabbour. Additional gratitude to Adriana Campos-Ojeda who was the photo-videographer for the Limuw field trip.
Thank you, as always, to Ruth Thaler-Carter (EFC alum 1970) for contributing her copyediting expertise. Any errors were made after her efforts.
Support diverse youth leadership development. All donations are welcome! Click to DONATE ONLINE or send your gift to The Encampment, P.O. Box 1210, Aptos, CA 95001-1210. Our Federal EIN is 30-0694938.
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