While some people are looking for illegal ways to boost their chances of admission to their dream school, we have a much more inspiring, equitable, and legal idea to achieve that goal: activism!

Many YEA Campers over the years have shared with us that the activism that they’ve done following attending YEA Camp actually helped them get into more prestigious colleges than they otherwise would have.

Take, for example, former YEA Camper Madison Cole, who was recently accepted early decision on a full scholarship to Yale. We asked her if she thought her activism or going to YEA Camp helped with her admission and she said, “Yes, definitely!”  She wrote:

“I wrote one of my supplements about YEA Camp, and how immersing myself in a community of understanding, kindness, and tolerance changed my perspective on the world and restored my faith in humanity. And it pushed me to start my own organizations at school to stand up for what I believed in.

YEA Camp inspired me to start my own animal rights club at school, and we organized an all-school assembly in association with the environmental club last year to discuss the ethical and environmental impacts of animal agriculture.

“Fighting for these causes, and the eloquence with which I was able to discuss my ventures thanks to YEA Camp, allowed me to make my college application stand out. In discussing these passions, I was able to show to the schools that I am passionate and driven. It worked, and it helped get me into my dream school, Yale University.”

Every summer at YEA Camp, we help campers like Madison build knowledge, skills, confidence, and community. “A life-changing camp for world-changing teens,” YEA Camp helps campers overcome shyness and limiting beliefs, as well as hone valuable skills such as public speaking, networking, learning how to run an effective school club, plan a campaign, and fundraise for whatever causes are important to them.

Jake Johnson, a 2-time YEA Camper and 2-time staff counselor in training (CIT), has told us his before-and-after YEA Camp story many times.

He hated politics before attending YEA Camp, but got inspired at camp. Soon after, he actually interned on a Congressional campaign. As a 16-year-old, he also spent a week at Standing Rock, and as a senior he spent time volunteering to rebuild in Puerto Rico. Jake told us:

“I applied to my dream school [Loyola University Chicago], which has a pretty selective admission process, but honestly I didn’t have very strong academic records to help me get in. However, I had a lot of activism that I wouldn’t have done without YEA Camp, and I am convinced that without that activism, I would never have been accepted.”

And Jake may be right. When students get involved in activism at a young age, it shows colleges that they are engaged in and willing to contribute to their community, have strong leadership skills, can effectively manage their time, are responsible and well-rounded individuals, are go-getters and are more likely to pursue the issues that are important to them, and can overcome challenges and adversity.

Employers take note too. Jake recently let us know that when he applied for a position doing grassroots canvassing, because of his experience attending and being on staff at YEA Camp and the campaign work he did as a result, he was offered a  position not as an intro level canvasser but as a field manager — incredible for someone of his age!

Ethan Lyne, another former camper reached out to share the exciting news and thank us when he got into his dream school.

“College essays came easy to me because I could remember all the important memories from YEA Camp like it happened yesterday!” Ethan wrote.

“You all changed my life a couple summers ago. YEA Camp changed my focus in life and opened my mind to compassion and love for everyone. I have gotten into amazing colleges because I learned so much from everyone that one week in July many months ago and I couldn’t have done it without YEA Camp.”

Ethan is now involved in student government, local politics, and journalism at his dream school, Haverford College. He’s already played a huge role there as an activist. As a freshman, he organized shuttles to help students without cars to get to the polls to be able to vote on Election Day. Last year, Ethan was a leader in the successful campaign to get a polling place on campus — a huge accomplishment to increase voter turnout in such an important swing state. 

This is the type of impact activists can make on campus, and universities value it.

Of course, getting into a better college isn’t the reason to do activism. With so many problems in the world, making a difference in your community and changing the world around you is the reason to do activism.

However, if you are worried about your grades (like Jake was), know that your activism could actually play a bigger role in getting into your dream university — no bribes, Photoshopping photos and pretending to have played a sport, or cheating on your SATs necessary!

At YEA Camp, we strive to make our activist leadership training accessible for all — both for teens and for YEA Camp for Adults, regardless of socio-economic background. We believe everyone should receive an equitable chance to learn, grow, and succeed by their own merit, not their or their parents’ pocketbook.

Want to impress colleges or employers AND make a bigger difference in the world? Join YEA Camp this summer! If you’re a teen (or parent of a teen) take a look at our YEA Camp session dates and locations here. And if you’re over 18, you can’t be too old to attend YEA Camp for Adults!

The post How Doing Activism Can Help Teens Get Into a Better College appeared first on YEA Camp.

We are so proud of our former campers and love being able to share their inspiring stories about activism they are doing.

Two-time YEA Camper and Youth Advisory Board member Jake Johnson recently traveled all the way from his home state of Missouri to the frigid cold of North Dakota in order to join and support the water protectors protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock. When considering whether to go, he reached out to our director, Nora, for advice, and, after he took her up on her suggestion to read as much as he could about the needs and experiences of being there, as well as how to be of most value in supporting the indigenous people leading the fight, he decided to go!

We love that he sported his YEA Camp “This is what an activist looks like” t-shirt while there.

Here’s his report back:

BY JAKE JOHNSON 

It’s been about a week now since I got back from Standing Rock. I may have only been there for a few days, but I learned a lot, and got more life experience than I ever could’ve imagined.

At about 2 am on the 5th, we arrived at the Rosebud Camp south of the main Oceti camp. The man I went with had been a couple weeks before then, and he told me about how much the camp had grown. Despite the blizzard, hundreds of new people continued to come and join the Water Protectors.

When I got up the next morning, I was eager to find out what I would be doing while I was there. Direct actions are a big part of life at Standing Rock, however, taking care of everybody and making sure everybody has what they need in order to survive, and be generally well, was an even bigger aspect of camp.

I helped around in various places, bringing donations to their designated places, and organizing food for the kitchen. Right now, many people have been working to construct various shelters for people stay warm, and for people to go to in case of hypothermia or frostbite, so I helped clear a space for a new medical tent and helped to make the difficult transition between the tents before the next big storm.

Now I would like to talk about the issue. On the way there, it was announced that the Army Corps of Engineers would not grant the permit needed to legally construct the Dakota Access Pipeline. While many people think that this means a rerouting of the pipeline, that is not the case. Energy Transfer is, instead, paying a $50,000 fine each day they continue constructing the pipeline. This to them really isn’t even a damage, though. At the camp, it is seen more as Army Corps saying ‘Look, we helped you. Now you need to help us.’ The fight is still going strong.

Protestors are often said to be violent, but the water protectors are by far the opposite. If you do something that the native people see as violent or unjust at all, you will be asked to leave. They are a prayerful community, looking to peacefully come to a clear end to the pipeline. During orientation for the new-comers, they speak of the requirement of being peaceful. They show this in everything they do, even by supplying coffee to the pipeline workers in an effort to simply speak with them and get a change of heart.

When the vets came and apologized for colonization (which was frequently spoken of and shared as something that will not be tolerated at camp) it showed the true respect that the camp is really based off of.

White people at camp were expected to listen to natives before even trying to speak, which some were mad about, in order to show the respect that should’ve been shown in the beginning of our nation.

For those of you who want to go but can’t, don’t fret. There are some great things you can still do from home.

1. Send donations! They are reliant on supply runs and donations and donations save money for other things.
2. Call the government officials in charge! The numbers and other things you can do are located here.
3. Speak up about it! Tell your friends! Educate them on the issues! If you have questions ask me! I would be more than happy to answer them for you.

Message me if you have questions!

Peace,

Jake

We are so proud of Jake for going, as well as humbled that he let us know that YEA Camp really helped him in his activist journey leading him to Standing Rock three years later. “YEA Camp made me aware of the everyday issues that face everybody all the time. They provided me with the awareness and knowledge to get in the world and really make a difference,” leading Jake not only to go to Standing Rock but also to get involved in politics as an intern on a local Congressional campaign, as well as many other ways of speaking up in his community. 

Jake’s mom Amanda recently shared the story of her finding out and telling Jake about YEA Camp three years ago.

Before YEA Camp, “my son Jake hated the fact that I felt strongly about social justice issues. He would get frustrated with me when I brought them up, and he insisted that, when he was an adult, he was not even going to vote because he didn’t think that what he did mattered…. He reluctantly filled out the [application for YEA Camp]…. 

“Flash forward a few months….When I said goodbye [and dropped Jake off at YEA Camp], I left a whole different kid behind than the one I picked up at the end of the week. This kid who I’m now raising is active, engaged, and empowered to make a difference in the world around him. He knows who he is and what he’s all about, and he isn’t afraid to stand up for what’s right. Better yet, he’s a leader, and I have no doubt that he will continue to make me proud, and do his part to create the kind of change that will benefit all of us.”

Awww! If you are or know a 12-17 year-old who would want to get more active on the important social issues of our time, visit YEACamp.org to learn about joining us this summer!

The post Sixteen-Year-Old YEA Camper Reports Back from Standing Rock appeared first on YEA Camp.