by Nora Kramer

Once a year, Ben & Jerry’s celebrates Free Cone Day, where they give out free ice cream all day long. The line of people waiting for ice cream is around the block.

For years on that day, when I lived in San Francisco a few blocks from the Ben & Jerry’s on Haight Ashbury, a group of local vegan activists and I wheeled out a TV and VCR (yup) out front of the ice cream shop, showing all those people waiting for ice cream footage of the horrific cruelty happening to cows on dairy farms.

courtesy of FARM

A lot of us took the day off from work each year to do it.
We gave out hundreds of samples of delicious vegan ice cream we bought at the health food store down the street with our own money. (This was before the amazing VegFund came along to fund activists giving out vegan food samples).

We passed out leaflets about the benefits of vegan eating, and we got people to sign a petition (on pieces of paper that I mailed to Ben & Jerry’s corporate (this was years before the Change.org petition that got almost 30,000 people to sign) asking them to add vegan flavors.

Those days were inspiring but frustrating. People waiting in line were appalled by the mistreatment of the cows, loved the vegan samples, and agreed that Ben & Jerry’s should carry non-dairy ice cream, but they weren’t getting out of line for their free dairy ice cream either.

At the end of the day, we, a bunch of activists who called in sick to work to help animals and the environment by using our own money to buy hundreds of strangers vegan ice cream, spent hours on our feet out of our comfort zone talking to hordes of people who were in line for a leisurely ice cream, and we privately wondered if it made a difference.

For years, Ben & Jerry’s ignored activists’ efforts and people’s requests for a vegan option, ignoring all the data about how bad dairy is for the environment while disingenuously marketing itself as eco-friendly and as a wholesome small company, while it is in fact owned by massive multinational soap company Unilever.

Maybe we wasted all that time and effort and heart and money on free vegan ice cream?

Today I am reminded how change often happens.

Ben & Jerry’s is launching four incredible-looking flavors of vegan ice cream made from almond milk.

And so the world changes.

There were years of activists trying and trying, dealing with our frustrations about change not happening as fast as we’d like and the injustices and cruelties that continue in the meantime.

There was doubting whether things will ever change, giving ourselves and others pep talks to keep going, trying to stay positive and continue in our activism on this and lots of other causes.

Years of activists making sacrifices, not giving up (and of course there are those who did give up), and continuing to push for change — even in the simple way of getting a leading ice cream company to offer a vegan option that spares cows and has a much smaller ecological footprint — is what causes social change.

Of course, amazing cruelty-free pioneer vegan food companies like Tofutti and So Delicious Dairy Free led the way for the mainstream to follow, introducing all of us, including the people in line for a free ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s on Free Cone Day, how delicious vegan ice cream is and how unnecessary it is to involve cows in making our desserts.

And then years later, with no proximate or clearly direct relationship between each activist’s individual efforts and this result today, there’s a win.

“We’ve definitely had a large demand from our consumers to have a non-dairy offering,” Ben & Jerry’s spokesperson Lindsay Bumps said recently.

But she said it years after we spent hours giving out free vegan ice cream and mailing them hundreds of petitions. And then doing it again the next year and the year after that, and all the countless things we all did every day in between and before and since.

That’s because for years Ben & Jerry’s ignored us. And that’s what change sometimes looks like. A social change victory — whether in legalizing gay marriage or the right to vote or raising the minimum wage or a massive ice cream company adding some vegan ice cream flavors — is often like seeing light from a star that was emitted years ago and is no longer there. To mix metaphors, the fruits may come a long time after the labor.

I don’t mean to equate Ben & Jerry’s making vegan ice cream with some type of Berlin Wall coming down. But the massive impact of livestock production on the environment, animals, and human health make this a social justice issue, and expanding the accessibility of vegan items to bring them into the mainstream is critical to reducing our society’s near suicidal dependence on factory farming.

This win is part of a tipping point of related victories on this issue in recent years, even recent days — from dozens of companies implementing major animal welfare reforms in meat and egg production, to Hellman’s following Just Mayo‘s lead by offering a vegan mayo, to Target’s new line of vegan meats, to companies like Wendy’s and Subway incorporating new vegan options.

These wins are all the result of a massive accumulation of years of activists’ efforts. From handing out free vegan ice cream, to donating to nonprofit organizations advocating for corporate reforms, to choosing more vegan meals each day, to handing out leaflets, to giving presentations, to undercover investigations of the cruelties happening on factory farms, to so many other things dedicated people are doing to make a difference, we are cumulatively bringing about change on a massive issue.

It just sometimes takes a while to see the results of it.

As a summer camp for social change, YEA Camp trains young activists to make a difference on social justice issues they care about. We even have a session just for animal advocates. (You or the 12-17 year-old in your life can find out about it or register here.) I can tell you these passionate teens want to bring about change NOW.

It can be tough, but we emphasize the need for action amidst the need for patience and faith to keep at it even though change often takes a lot longer than we’d like, and we don’t always see the results of our efforts. It is a tough but important lesson.

To all the activists whose efforts are changing our food system, or any other element of social justice, we hope you’ll acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments by trying out some delicious new vegan ice cream, now available, thanks to so many people’s efforts, at a supermarket near you.

The post What Vegan Ice Cream Can Teach Us About Changing the World appeared first on YEA Camp.

Recently one of our campers, Kakari Boateng, 16, of Sacramento, who cares about many different causes, launched an online petition on Change.org about an issue at his school.  At the end of the school year, Kakari’s school announced that it would be starting a new dress code in the fall. He had many concerns about this and so decided to do something about it. He’s already generated over 700 signatures on the petition — most of which are from people in the community who agree and are personally affected — and caught the attention of the administration, whom has since met with him.

Some people may not recognize the social justice implications of this issue, so we wanted to find out from Kakari himself what motivated him to get involved on this.

Note that Kakari attended YEA Camp last year on a scholarship funded by the Sacramento Vegetarian Society, and that he is fundraising to return to YEA Camp this summer (we are so glad!). You can support him here.

YEA: Why do you think the issue of your school implementing a dress code is important?

KB: I feel the issue of the school implementing a new dress code is important because the School Board did things without the consent of the students, and honestly things probably would have turned out better if they considered us or our parents in the staff meetings that occurred about it.

The school is requiring the students to buy clothes from the student store, and sometimes their clothes are costly. Even though the school doesn’t make money from it (they sell the clothes for the same price they pay), people like to have other options for pants. Some people also wear hand-me-downs from their big brothers or sisters who have graduated, so to say that “you can’t wear those pants ” would put a dent in their pockets.

On top of that students that comply with the current dress code already feel safe and comfortable with what they wear, so when the school announced even more changes on top of that, it could possibly exploit personal insecurities about themselves.

In the end, I feel as if it’s less about the dress code but the issue I had was with the morality of what they did.

YEA: You mention in the petition that the students are concerned about other issues you feel are more needed than a dress code. What are some of those important issues?

KB: Besides dress code, students are concerned about other issues such as not having a consistent principal, or a consistent roster of teachers. Many of the staff are leaving and whenever students try to come together and settle things in a professional organized matter, they are disregarded.

YEA: How have students raised these issues to the school administration, and what has their reaction been?

KB: Usually when students try to bring issues to the board, their thoughts are taken into consideration, but are not acted upon even though there is clearly an ongoing issue. The process is actually quite tiresome.

YEA: Are students at your school active in voicing their opinions? Why or why not, do you think?

KB: Students are active in voicing their opinions, but usually those opinions are not voiced in a positive or professional manner. I think it sparks from some type of popular thing about how it’s more fun to complain about an issue that they have instead of trying to fix it.

YEA: The petition has been so successful in such a short time! You got over 700 signatures in just the first week, and there are hundreds of supportive comments that people wrote, which really shows how many people agree with you on this. How have you gotten so many people to sign the petition?

KB: Smiles and lots of enthusiasm! I shared it online at first, then my friends shared it around, then showed it to their parents, and it kept getting shared. I’ve been talking to people about it, and people just ask me for the link or I tell them about it. All it takes is positivity.

YEA: What else have you done to oppose the dress code, and what’s next with this effort?

This week I spoke at a meeting the principal held for families to discuss this and other issues, and I met the superintendent whom I’m going to be talking with again about this. We had a little conversation and we got along really well. We both shared our points of view and how we felt about things going on during school. I’ll be going to another meeting about this in 2 weeks. When I created the petition, little did I know I would have this influence.

YEA: Has YEA Camp helped you in your activist efforts on this petition or in other ways? If so, how?

KB: Oh if I didn’t go to YEA Camp, I most definitely would have never thought of the petition or try to take action to change things in the system. I probably would have just been in the crowd with everyone else complaining. But at the camp, I was taught that the one lone nut dancing about in an open field, not doing what everybody else is doing, really draws attention, and if used right, that can be for the better.

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We are so proud that Kakari is speaking up on this issue that affects him and other students in a way their school is not considering. Please sign!

We are so grateful that Kakari came to YEA Camp last year thanks to a scholarship from the Sacramento Vegetarian Society, and so we know SVS will be proud for him too! SVS is sponsoring more campers this year, so if you know anyone who would be interested and a great fit, learn more here — the deadline is soon!

Kakari is raising funds for his return to YEA Camp this summer to take what he got last year to the next level. Please support him here!

The post Camper Interview: “I probably would have just been in the crowd with everyone else complaining.” appeared first on YEA Camp.

Sixteen-year-old Claire Tamburello from Michigan has been advocating for animals since she went vegetarian at age 11. She has organized protests against the circus, rallied at the State Capitol to oppose the hunting of wolves, regularly volunteers with a local animal shelter, and recently organized a cleanup of a local park.

Last week Claire traveled to Texas to be part of the “Empty the Tanks” campaign to protest  Sea World, she’s fundraised for Farm Sanctuary‘s “Walk for Farm Animals”, and she’s seen here as part of  Mercy For Animals‘ #noaggag campaign protesting the “ag gag” laws silencing whistleblowers for exposing cruelty on factory farms. “I’m against ag gag laws because they prohibit the documentation of what really happens on factory farms,” Claire explained. “If these laws are passed, nobody will know what happens behind the closed doors of the animal agriculture industry.”

Ana Little-Sana, from San Diego, has done more to make a difference in her 15 years than most people do in their whole lives. Ana was recently recognized as a Rising Star by the San Diego Leadership Alliance and has worked on a wide variety of social justice issues. From speaking at a press event for Climate Action Campaign about the impact of climate change on young people, to lobbying against police brutality at the State Capitol with the NAACP,  rallying for women’s access to Planned Parenthood, advocating outside of Wal-Mart to push for a minimum wage increase for workers, leafleting for the ACLU, attending fur protests, organizing demonstrations against Sea World, being vegan, and so much more, the impact this young changemaker is having across so many important issues is truly stunning.

Ana was also an extremely dedicated intern on Congressman Scott Peters’ successful re-election campaign, and her efforts impressed Vice President Joe Biden so much that he took a selfie with her.

Fifteen-year-old Joyce Frink from New Jersey has done a huge variety of things to make a difference in issues at her school, her community, and even globally. Joyce was chosen by her teachers to be a peer mediator and in that role organized a school-wide assembly and presented in several classes to address bullying and create a safer school environment. She also initiated “Mix It Up” Day at her school, where students sit with different people in the cafeteria than they usually do, and organized a successful food and clothing drive.

Outside of school, Joyce spent Thanksgiving out with her mom, distributing food to the homeless in her town. This fall she also attended her first protest at the People’s Climate March in New York City and has been active in her community. “I enjoy speaking up for those in need because I know what it feels like to not have anyone speak up for you. And I never want anyone to feel that way,” Joyce told us. “That may sound cliché, but that’s truly how I feel. When people thank me for making them feel better, that’s truly a good feeling.”

Kakari Boateng is a social justice advocate in Sacramento who uses art, music, and other forms of creativity to spread his message of fairness and sustainability. He has passed out leaflets about vegetarian eating, raps about issues he cares about, and most recently created a petition on Change.org to try to change the School Board’s decision to implement a new dress code at his school. The petition has garnered over 700 signatures in less than a week.

In the petition, Kakari points out that a new dress code “will mean buying new clothes that some families may not be able to afford.” He also points out that the school board did not consult the students or accept any student input in this decision and tells us that the petition is about “more than the dress code. The school board doesn’t take us seriously when we try to advocate for change” and this is one effort to do that. You can sign here.

Thirteen-year-old Megan Frisella of Massachusetts told us the story of a trip she took into Boston her birthday. “I saw an old man walking around, begging for money, so I gave it to him. This happened four or five more times, and I realized this tragic problem. I was nearly crying from the sadness of seeing so many people just out there, living in the streets with no one caring about them.” So this school year she started a school club, Helping Hands for the Homeless.

As a fundraiser, she and the other club members created and sold calendars, raising over $2000 net. Rather than give the money directly to a shelter, the club created 80 care packages that “will let homeless people know they are cared for and to hope for a brighter future.” Megan was thrilled that the club’s success attracted the attention of a neighboring school, which is starting a similar club.

Roberto Warren, 18 from North Carolina, looks for every opportunity to speak up for the social justice causes he believes in. Whether he’s posting political articles on social media, using school projects to research and educate classmates on issues like voting rights and racism, making politically motivated art, or attending protests, his voice is so needed in the conservative area where he lives.

Roberto has been dedicated to the inspiring Moral Mondays movement happening in the state to rally against the Conservative policies that have led to cuts in funding for education and the poor, non-implementation of the Affordable Care Act, efforts to disenfranchise voters, and more. He has been to protests by the HKonJ, Historic Thousands on J St. Coalition, and supports their agenda  “because they are fighting for the right things, such as voting rights for all, equal marriage rights, criminal justice, and more. They are standing up against the North Carolina legislature and governor to promote an agenda that would benefit North Carolina in many ways from helping to pay for college, fixing our tax code, and more. It is really fun to go to these protests because you can feel the love flowing through the people there.”

Do these teens’ stories sound a little different than the stereotype of the apathetic teenager? There are plenty of young people out there who want to make a difference on the issues above and so many others, and plenty more teens who get inspired to make a difference when they see that people their age are taking action. There are also lots of teens who might get involved if only they had an experience that boosted their self esteem, showed them ways others are making a difference, and welcomed them into a community of like-minded, supportive changemakers.

YEA Camp is a summer camp for social change designed for 12-17 year-olds who care about social justice, human rights, animals, or the environment. With sessions in California, Oregon, and New York, motivated teens come to YEA Camp from all over the country to get skills training, like starting a school club and planning a campaign. They come to YEA Camp to develop their confidence to speak up about what they care about and communicate more effectively.  They come to YEA Camp to learn more about the issues facing our world and to meet like-minded changemakers who are working to make a difference. At camp they choose an issue they want to focus on and create an action plan to make a difference when they go home. So many go on to do inspiring things that they credit to YEA Camp.

“Before YEA Camp, I wanted to be involved with activism and help out, but I truly didn’t know where to start or what exactly to do,” Joyce Frink told us. “Going to YEA Camp taught me many things: how to leaflet, how to table, start a club, campaign, and even more. If it wasn’t for these skills, I never would’ve attempted the things that I’ve done recently…. I honestly wouldn’t have done any of these things without YEA Camp.”

“YEA Camp gave me a community that I’ve never had the privilege of being a part of, and that was a group of teenage activists,” Ana Little-Sana said. “That ability to spend so much time with so many like-minded people definitely gave me the confidence to go out and advocate for change in my own world.”

You can learn more about YEA Camp and what campers say about it here.

There are so many more young people like this making a difference on an issue of importance to them.  Inspired? What issue do you care about? We’ve got some Resources to help you get started or take your change-making to the next level.

Know a young activist or changemaker-to-be? Or does that sound like YOU? YEA Camp is just around the corner, and we have some limited spots still available.

Our California camp is July 12-19. Our Oregon camp is July 25-August 1. Our New York camp is August 9-16. Get all the details and register at YEACamp.org.

The post 6 Teens Who Will Bust Stereotypes and Inspire You to Change the World appeared first on YEA Camp.

HAVE A “WHITE ELEPHANT PARTY” TO EXCHANGE ITEMS IN LIKE-NEW CONDITION FOR RE-GIFTING

Did someone give you a present that someone else would love but you just don’t? Maybe you got a sweater you will never wear? RE-GIFT IT! At your holiday party or Thanksgiving dinner ask your friends and family to bring gifts that are in like-new condition to exchange. You can trade your sweater for some someone’s brand new, but unneeded, earrings and re-gift them to your earring-loving sister!

GET DONATIONS RATHER THAN MORE STUFF!

If you feel like you’d rather support charities than get more items you probably don’t need, there are many websites dedicated to helping people find charities to support and requesting donations instead of gifts from family members. Check out justgive.org, globalgiving.org, and others!

USE FABRIC INSTEAD OF WRAPPING PAPER

Wrapping paper and ribbon simply get thrown away each year but fabric can be used for years to come! You can wrap a present in a beautiful scarf or use a “fat quarter” from your local fabric store. The pre-cut squares of fabric only cost a couple dollars and there are hundreds of fabrics to choose from! Or use paper bags instead of wrapping paper and use a piece of lace as an accent. You can even make your own snowflakes instead of lace! Remember those?  Simply tie them on with a piece of reusable fabric ribbon just like you would would with a disposable ribbon.  Just remember to take the fabric and trimmings back while your gift receiver is enthralled with your amazing gift and reuse them next year!

MAKE YOUR OWN BEAUTIFUL MENORAH OUT OF REUSED ITEMS

Many families are finding that making their own menorah is a fun way to get their kids engaged at Chanukah. And you can make a new one each year without spending a lot or buying brand new items. Even Martha Stewart and Oprah have come up with unique ways to make menorahs. Here are a couple of my favorites as well as some that will make you laugh for sure.

If you have lots of glitter in your crafting cabinet try this idea by Martha Stewart. (Click photo for directions.)

If you have little ones, you might like this idea. (Click photo for link.)

If you like using natural items on your table, you might like this idea using apples from Oprah.

For those of you who like a challenge check out this idea using corrugated cardboard. (Click photo for instructions).

And for some that will make you laugh check out 25 Hilariously Wrong Menorahs from The Huffington Post online.

Do you have an idea to “Green up the Holidays?” If so, post it on our Facebook or post a pic on our Instagram.

The post Greening Up the Holidays appeared first on YEA Camp.

• Hannah from our Oregon session formed an animal rights club at her school, called Peace for Animals. During her school’s club fair, she was able to get 57 students to sign up.
• Vivien from our California session started a “business” selling cookies at her school— every week!  100% of the proceeds go to support organizations working to end human trafficking.
• Lamanh is working at getting a composting system installed at her school!
• Lacey from our California session started the first ever YEA Club at her school, a club that will teach her peers how they can make a difference in the world.
• Since meeting and becoming best friends at camp Phoebe and Rylee have started an etsy shop called BrightAndCourageous. All proceeds from their shop go straight to charity, this month’s proceeds being donated to YEA Camp!
• Alanna noticed that the Apple emoji keyboard does not promote diversity, and has created a change.org petition to change that. It already has almost 700 signatures!
• Oliver from our Massachusetts session met with his state assembly member in New Jersey about having transgender friendly bathrooms in high schools (something his principal had shot down previously).  Not only did the assembly member meet with Oliver in person, but they agreed to talk to the Superintendent of the district about creating a new policy. To top it all off they may be drafting a new bill in the New Jersey legislature!
• Ofzerna has been very busy since camp. She started Project July, a project hoping to raise enough money to adopt and support a calf that would otherwise be raised only to be slaughtered for beef. Rescuing this calf is part of a long term goal to one day start a sanctuary. She wishes to educate people about what they are eating by giving them positive interactions with cattle. Along with this, Ofzerna has also started a change.org petition after noticing that Cinemark Theaters was advertising for SeaWorld. Her petition has received over 600 signatures and a personal call from James Meredith, vice-president of Marketing at Cinemark. Meredith told Ofzerna he would take her views into consideration.
• Ethan from our California session has become vice-president of his school’s environmental club.
• Tommy has been volunteering at his local soup kitchen and has become a board member of ARK, or Acts of Random Kindness Club. This is a club dedicated to promoting goodwill and happiness in the world.
• Hani has been a super-star activist since camp! To raise awareness, she has been handing out flyers to raise awareness of Hersey’s support of child labor. She has already had her first community service club meeting at school and is holding fundraisers for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
• Shelby from our Massachusetts session is currently leading two groups at her school, a gay straight alliance and an animal allies club. If this isn’t amazing enough, she is starting to leaflet with Mercy for Animals, trying to initiate composting at her school, has participated in a coastal cleanup, and is organizing a field trip for several
  kids at her school to go to an anti-bullying training workshop.
• Ariel hosted the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean Up. She and her friends cleaned half a kilometre of shoreline where they picked up 48 lbs of garbage and 1010 cigarette butts!
• Jose from our California session got Styrofoam cups banned from his workplace. YEA!
• Jacob started a change.org petition to get more comprehensive gun control in New Jersey.
• Shayla is forming an eating disorder support group, first meeting by early December.
• A group of YEA Campers attended a Ringling Brothers Circus protest to educate the public about cruelty performing animals endure.

If you thought this was a lot, this is only a small sampling of what our campers have been doing in the past few months. We are so proud of all the work our campers have done since camp and are looking forward to seeing all the amazing activism they will be doing in the future. We have no doubt in our mind that our campers will make huge strides in changing the world!

The post Prepare to be blown away: what our campers have been doing since camp! appeared first on YEA Camp.