Our Favorite Part of Gearing Up For Camp…

youth activismOne of our favorite parts of getting ready for YEA Camp is reading our campers’ applications. We keep the application process pretty simple, but we do ask each prospective camper why they want to attend, what they care about, and what they hope to accomplish out of being there. Check out just a few of their inspiring comments (below), and invite any 12-17 year olds you know to think about what they might hope to get out of a summer camp designed to help them change the world! Then send them to our 2 minute video and to  www.YEACamp.org.

“Coming to YEA camp, I would like to learn ways to speak up and get people to be more aware about what they are eating. I also think this camp sounds so great for
someone like me because of the happy environment you have there. I would like to come to YEA camp because I care for animals, animal rights, and the health of people, nature, and the world. The camp just sounds so perfect, I can hardly believe it. 🙂 I definitely want to try to make a difference, because every little thing could help just one more animal. That’s how I think of it. Life is just a bunch of choices, and every choice counts (and could save lives). One of my main goals in life is to open the worlds eyes and stop
animal abuse altogether, and overall be living in one with nature and ourselves.” –Sage, Age 15

“It is up for young leaders to truly save the world. I want to learn about more resources that I can use, make friends and connect with each other, and have fun. I want to be able to realize that we as a race, though we have come far, are not nearly at the apex of our development and that it depends on us, this generation to advance the human race for
the benefit of everyone else. The two main problems in the world are climate change and racism. Many are denying it, but the movement to literally save the world is growing. Almost all scientists have accepted that global warming is a serious threat, and if we don’t do something about it soon, the world could be very well thrown into chaos. Since it takes almost worldwide cooperation to prevent global warming, a problem that will need to be solved first is racism. How is the Israeli prime minister and the leaders of the Arab League going to even meet? Although we consider ourselves very far ahead in equality,
we are far from it.” -JiaHeng, age 14

“I really would love to come to YEA camp because what I love to do is make positive, lasting changes in the world. Whether it is through art, or teaching, or anything else. When I am able to use my voice, my energy and my ideas to better the lives and situations of others and the environment I feel so gratified. It is such a great feeling to
know that I’ve made an impact on someone/something forever. Leave the world a little better, that’s what I want to do.  At YEA camp I know that a lot of campers will have the same goal that I have and to think about all of these passionate people together is
such an awesome thought. By working together anything is possible, and at YEA I am excited to make a difference with new friends.  When cleaning a creek or organizing a clothing drive, I’ve hit a few bumps in the road. At camp I’m hoping to learn what to do when this happens, as well as other skills to be effective in my efforts to take
action. Like, what’s the best way to write a letter to the President? How do you convince your principal to change to biodegradable lunch trays? I am excited to be inspired by all of the positive energy I’m sure to encounter at YEA camp. But most of all I’m looking forward to leaving this camp with a bunch of awesome friends that I can work with
to do good.” -Hannah, age 13

“I would like to attend YEA Camp to improve my activism skills, meet other young change-makers, and gain inspiration. I would like to learn new outreach tactics I can use in my work and am also interested in learning about other issues occurring in the world today. In my experience attending, I would like to gain more confidence,
understanding of other world issues, and new tactics I can use to change the world for animals. I would also learn more about how I can gain supporters for my cause to help me. The issue I am most passionate about and have chosen to dedicate my life to is animal rights. Our fellow creatures on this planet stand utterly defenseless against us and we treat them with no mercy. We are abusing our power and this sickens me. They cannot stand up for themselves and as a result, we must be their voice. I have already taken much action to stand up for animals. I am founder and president of Live Life Humane, which I founded when I was 14 years old. Live Life Humane is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to educating young people about animal rights issues and inspiring them
to make a difference. Launching my outreach in the New Year, we plan to do grassroots outreach (leafleting and tabling), humane education presentations, online activism, and peaceful protests. I am currently in production of “The Young Person’s Guide to Helping Animals,” which we will distribute at our events. Visit our website at www.LiveLifeHumane.org.” –Andrew, age 16

“I am very passionate about animal rights. I could go on for days. I am active in PETA 2 in my area and my family and I foster unwanted dogs and wildlife. Another cause that is very close to my heart is homophobia and gender stereotyping. We have a family member that is transgender and I have just begun looking into what I can do to help. I am very interested in continuing with my current programs and possibly starting a program of interest that has not yet been brought in to the spotlight in my locality” -Kara, age 17

“I would love to learn leadership and project management skills. I would like to gain friendships with other teenagers who are passionate with their interests. I think this would be a camp where I would fit in a lot better than at most other camps. The issue I am most passionate about is teen suicide prevention. I care about this because of how many young lives are lost because of suicide, and many people I know have struggled to see reason in staying alive. I have worked my very hardest to keep them here. It’s an
issue that is gaining importance to society as more and more teenagers choose suicide as a way to escape what they’re suffering through. I have begun to take action by starting two projects. One is by putting a Suicide Hotline number up in every classroom of my high school. The other is called the You Are Project (Facebook.com/TheYouAreProject)
This project was meant to provide little boosts in people’s days. I believe that the smallest things can help a person suffering from depression and suicidal feelings to continue going for at least one more day – and one more day alive, is one more chance that they will receive help. I want to further sophisticate my project into something
where I can eventually raise money for organizations like Out of the Darkness, TIP, Teen Talk, etc.” -Katlyn, age 17

Think about how inspiring it is to be at a camp with 30+ other young people and 12 more adults who care this passionately about making the world a better place, and where the curriculum is specifically designed to help each person make as big a difference as possible on issues they care about! Check out our 2 minute video and share with those who might be interested in joining us in California, Oregon, or Massachusetts this summer!