2023 Summer Encampment
“Politics is a challenging space to develop relationships; so many of my friends would appreciate the Encampment’s compassion in giving space to the youth for growth and education. The Encampment is unlike a typical classroom environment; it allows people to have natural discussions, see real situations, and learn from real advocates.” — Monica
“It’s a place where I feel like I belong. I loved every moment and am grateful for this great opportunity. This was such an amazing experience!” — Brooklyn
2023 Encampers:

Formed a community with peers from around the country sharing their diverse cultures and communities.

Met activists working on often intersecting issues such as immigration, farmworker health and safety, language justice, preserving and reclaiming Indigenous culture, environmental justice and more.

Were welcomed into the water culture of the Chumash Barbareño Tribe. Click for video of Encampers exploring the ocean.

Learned from these activists and each other, sharing stories of community organizing about topics such as allowing African-American history to be taught in school; book bans; diversity that includes neuro-divergent people; obstacles to immigrants integrating into the community; and trans and homophobia.

Practiced critical thinking skills as they explored the local Mixteco community and learned about community mapping. Click image for a brief look into Adriana Diaz's workshop.

Participated in a wetlands clean-up with members of the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) and The Nature Conservancy. Click image for Johan talking about the cleanup.

Created public service announcements (PSAs) coached by a local activist. Click image to hear a few Encampers talk about their PSAs.

Journeyed to Limuw Island (original indigenous name) with members of the Barbareño Chumash Tribal Council who shared some of the culture, history, economics, and ecology of the island that is part of their ancestral homeland.
Click links below for brief looks into the Limuw experience.

As part of EFC’s inquiry-based and experiential approach, had in-depth interviews with farmworkers at local community organization Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project/Proyecto Mixteco Indigena (MICOP).
Click on the links below to hear Quin and Melanie's experience with the farmworker interviews.

Shared group interactive workshops created as part of the summer program at the InterGen. The InterGen is EFC’s intergenerational program that invites alums, parents, supporters and community members to see what the Encampers have been learning. The three workshops in 2023 were: Using the Arts for Activism; Systems of Oppression; and Gender and Feminism.

In the second session, Encampers presented poems, paintings, and public service announcements (PSAs) that related to their EFC experience. The presentations ended with Jane Sapp leading the singing and playing keyboards on an EFC favorite. Click image for video of Encampers singing "I'm Gonna Lift My Sister Up."
For a deeper look into the 2023 Encampment, click our week-by-week blog links:
- Week 1: https://encampmentforcitizenship.org/highlights-of-the-first-week-of-the-2023-encampment/
- Week 2: https://encampmentforcitizenship.org/highlights-of-the-second-week-of-the-2023-encampment/
- Week 3: https://encampmentforcitizenship.org/highlights-of-week-3-of-the-2023-encampment/
For a look at other recent years, click here.
For the best experience of the Encampment, apply for the 2024 Encampment in Montgomery Alabama focused on civil and voting rights. The application will open soon. If you are interested now, contact us at admin@encampmentforcitizenship.org.
A shout-out to all the Encampers, staff and volunteers for making the 2023 Encampment a learning community filled with creativity.
Thank you to Ruth Thaler-Carter (White Plains 1970) for her copyediting skills that make our text more readable. We appreciate her years of service to the Encampment. Any mistakes here were made after her edits.
Thank you to Adriana Campos-Ojeda and Elibet Valencia Munoz for their photo/video skills that enliven our text, letting you see and hear the Encampers. You can reach Ms. Campos Ojeda at aoc.cinema@gmail.com and Ms. Munoz at evalenciams@gmail.com.

2023 Encampers and staff at the InterGen(erational) Program.
2023 Photo album
Get news & info
2023 Encampers Speak Out
Move your mouse over the slide to stop to read.
The Encampment served as a window to a world far beyond the confines of my familiar bubble. It exposed me to real people passionately fighting for positive change in their communities, which in turn ignited a fire within me. Among the inspirational figures I had the privilege of meeting were Andi Garcia and Marcus Lopez Jr. Their unwavering determination and resilience in the face of challenges and rejections left an indelible mark on my soul. Their stories infused me with a sense of empowerment that I now carry with me.