Alum Stories
Invest in the future of democracy
You can make a difference in young activists’ lives. Giving to the Encampment shows that you care about democracy, economic inequality, racial, sexist, homophobic violence and environmental destruction.
Ada Deer, EFC 1956, Trailblazer
Come join us in honoring Ada Deer and share your stories and photos about this unforgettable and inspiring woman. Sunday October 22, 10:00 AM Pacific/11 AM Mountain/ Noon Central/ 1:00 PM Eastern.
Update with Aaron Richardson, EFC 2014
This summer, Aaron Richardson, 2014-15 Encamper and 2016 intern, is joining our Alum Outreach Committee. We asked Aaron to look back, now that he is nine years past his first Encampment, and share his thoughts about what was most important to him and what has stayed with him.
Interview with Hausson Byrd — Art & Social Justice
Encampment: 2014 Chicago, IL
Residence at time of Encampment:
North Carolina
Lives in: North Carolina
Interview with Herb Raffaele: Societal Values – Conservation’s Driving Force
Herb Raffaele, EFC 1963 Puerto Rico, has more than five decades of experience in international wildlife conservation. He has led global efforts to conserve endangered species such as tigers, elephants and gorillas, and much more.
Interview with Eleyna Fugman — Building Relationships Across Class and Race
Encampment: 1991 CA
Residence at time of Encampment:
Covelo, CA
Lives in: Portland, OR.
A Group of People as a Source of Power – Interview with Bernice Hightower
Encampment: 2018 Mississippi & 2019 Ventura County
Residence at time of Encampment:
Newark, NJ
Lives in: Washington, D.C.
Democracy Is in Danger and We Youth Have to Act
Encampment: 2021 Virtual
Residence at time of Encampment:
Rondonia, Brasil
Lives in: Rondonia, Brasil
“We the People” — Jean Mitchell McGuire on her EFC experience
Encampment: 1948 Fieldston
Residence at time of Encampment:
Washington, DC
Lives in: Roxbury, MA
Social Injustice Erodes the Ground Everyone Walks on
Encampment: 1968 White Plains
Residence at time of Encampment: Vermilion, OH
Lives in: Excelsior, MN
The Power of a United Community for Change – an interview with Ayana
Encampments: 2018 Mississippi & 2019 California
Residence at time of Encampment: Brockton, MA
Lives in: Boston, MA
Becoming a More-Effective Social Justice Activist
Encampments: 2014 lllinois, 2015 Mississippi (Intern 2016, Senior Intern 2019), 2020 YAC Intern/advisor
Residence at time of Encampment: Dade City, FL
Lives in: Spring Hill, FL
The EFC Community Is the Change — Interview with Marquise Steward
Encampments: 2015, Mississippi (Intern 2017, Senior Intern 2018), 2020 YAC Intern/advisor
Residence at time of Encampment: Long Island, NY
Lives in: Miami, FL
Pronouns: He/him/his
Joanna Brandt, 1966 Kentucky and Now
Encampment: 1966 Kentucky
Residence at time of Encampment: Brooklyn, NY
Lives in: Timonium, MD
The Encampment was my awakening
Encampments: 1989, California
Residence at time of Encampment: New York, NY
Lives in: Brooklyn, NY
The importance of democracy, of cultural competence and of building bridges
Encampments: 1963, El Yunque, Puerto Rico
Residence at time of Encampment: Atlanta, GA
Lives in: Washington, DC
The importance of being informed and making a difference—alum interview with Daniel Garcia, 1966 DC
Encampments: 1966 Washington, DC
Residence at time of Encampment: Los Angeles, CA
Lives in: Springfield, VA
The EFC, combating hate, and the need for the resurgence of good citizenship in the U.S.
Encampments: 1953 New York
Residence at time of Encampment: Chicago, IL
Lives in: New York, NY
The Encampment Has Changed Me Entirely
Encampments: 2015 Jackson, Mississippi; 2016 Amherst, Massachusetts; 2017 Intern, Amherst, Massachusetts
Residence at time of Encampment: Pine Ridge, SD
Lives in: Spearfish, SD
Rachel Miller (1978 Fieldston) On Her EFC Experience & Why It’s Important Now
Encampments: 1978 Fieldston School, Bronx, NY
Residence at time of Encampment: Ithaca, NY
Lives in: New York, NY
Alum: Ted Floyd, 1952 Fieldston, Founder of the Chicago Chapter of the EFC Alumni Association
Encampments: 1952 Fieldston, NY
Residence at time of Encampment: St. Petersburg, Florida
Lives in: Chicago, Illinois
Alum: Isaac Ben Ezra, Member of the First Encampment in 1946, and Lifelong Social Justice Advocate
Encampments: 1946 Fieldston, NY
Residence at time of Encampment: Lower East Side, New York
Lives in: Amherst, Massachusetts
The EFC mourns Isaac Ben Ezra who died in 2017.
Alum: Herb Raffaele, 1963 Puerto Rico and Staff 1969 & 1970 Montana
Encampments: 1963 Puerto Rico, staff 1969 & 1970 Montana
Residence at time of Encampment: New York, New York
Lives in: Harwich Port, Massachusetts
Carol Ahlum (1966 KY), Newly Re-connected with the EFC
Encampments: Kentucky, 1966
Residence at time of Encampment: a small farm near Quakertown, PA – an hour north of Philadelphia
Lives in: Jefferson, Maryland
Interview with Miles Rapoport EFC Alum 1966 KY
Encampments: Kentucky, 1966
Residence at time of Encampment: Great Neck, New York
Lives in: Hartford, Connecticut
The Enduring Power of Living Democracy
Encampments: New York, 1950
Residence at time of Encampment: Queens, New York
Lives in: Davis, California
Getting the ball rolling for EFC in the 21st century
Encampments: New York, 1970
Residence at time of Encampment: Rochester, New York
Lives in: Rochester, New York
It’s different when it’s your friend
Encampments: Illinois, 2014 & Mississippi, 2015
Residence at time of Encampment: Los Angeles, California
Lives in: Los Angeles, California
Interview with Bill and Joan Shannon 2013 by Jackie Frank
Encampment Executive Director: 1952-58
Alum: Dan Isaacson, EFC alum 50NY, May 2015
Encampments: New York, 1950
Residence at time of Encampment: New York, New York
Lives in: Boca Raton, Florida
SNAPSHOTS

1966 DC with David Sandoval and Vivian Calderon and Congressman Roybal.

Videos from the 75th Anniversary
As part of our 75th Anniversary activities, alums from the 1940-present talked about their EFC experiences. Click links for:

75th Anniversary Celebration
Click image for our 75th Anniversary Celebration video (October 16, 2021).
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Alum Updates
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The Encampment has pushed me to reach my growing edge this summer.
… I performed an original piece on a stage, I hiked a mountain and I learned so much about cultures other than my own. I will continue to commit my voice to the Encampment and spread the word to everyone I know. I want more youth to have the same opportunity and experience that I did.