Since 2009, Youth Empowered Action (YEA) Camp, a summer camp for social change, has been holding unique overnight camps for activist-minded teens across the country. This summer, for the first time, YEA Camp will be holding a session in Southern California, in the beautiful Angeles National Forest.

Pressed by the current political climate, progressive-minded young people all across the country, and especially in California, are getting more and more engaged in social issues. Students have made headlines by walking out of school, marching in the streets, and finding creative ways to make their voices heard on political issues. YEA Camp is training these young changemakers to have an even bigger impact.

“Our campers are among the many young people who are taking a stand against racism, homophobia, sexism, xenophobia, and in support of immigrants, equality, health care, the environment, and animal rights,” explained YEA Camp founder and director Nora Kramer.

After 8 years in northern California, moving to a bigger location just outside Los Angeles will help YEA Camp serve even more young people.

YEA Camp’s California camp will be held August 6-13 in Wrightwood, CA, north of Pasadena. In addition to the west coast session, for the sixth year in a row, YEA Camp will hold sessions on the east coast as well, with a camp in Massachusetts from July 9-16, and a camp in New York from July 23-30, a session especially for animal advocates.

At YEA Camp, young people ages 12-17 choose an issue they are most passionate about, what the camp calls their Issue of Importance (IOI), and by the end of the week campers create an action plan to make a difference when they go home.

Campers have gone on to make big impacts in their communities, like starting school clubs, fundraising for causes they support, registering voters and interning on political campaigns, starting social media channels, and much more.

“There is so much that each one of us can do to make a difference in the world, regardless of age” Kramer said. “It’s so inspiring to see our campers find their voice and get active on causes they believe in. We’re thrilled to be offering this session just outside Los Angeles and to be able to serve more campers than ever before. We need to train and support the next generation to be as effective as possible in getting out and making a difference on the serious challenges we are facing today.”

To learn more, visit www.yeacamp.org, email info@yeacamp.org, or call 415-710-7351.