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	<title>womens rights Archives - YEA Camp</title>
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	<description>A summer camp for social change</description>
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		<title>YEA Camp for Adults: A Leadership Training Retreat for Aspiring Social Justice Activists</title>
		<link>https://yeacamp.org/2019/04/17/yea-camp-for-adults-a-leadership-training-retreat-for-aspiring-social-justice-activists/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[YEA Camp]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2019 12:15:29 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://yeacamp.org/?p=8449</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>By YEA Camp Founder and Director Nora Kramer As we prepare for our second year of YEA Camp for Adults, we wanted to share more about its purpose, ways it’s similar but also different from a typical leadership or activism conference or training or retreat, and how it might be the most fun you’ve ever&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://yeacamp.org/2019/04/17/yea-camp-for-adults-a-leadership-training-retreat-for-aspiring-social-justice-activists/">YEA Camp for Adults: A Leadership Training Retreat for Aspiring Social Justice Activists</a> appeared first on <a href="https://yeacamp.org">YEA Camp</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>By YEA Camp Founder and Director Nora Kramer</p>
<div id="attachment_8196" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="www.yeacamp.org/adults"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-8196" class="wp-image-8196 size-medium" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/YEA-Camp-2019-3-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/YEA-Camp-2019-3-300x300.png 300w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/YEA-Camp-2019-3-150x150.png 150w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/YEA-Camp-2019-3-768x768.png 768w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/YEA-Camp-2019-3-75x75.png 75w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/YEA-Camp-2019-3.png 800w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-8196" class="wp-caption-text">YEA Camp for Adults will be amazing! Join us!</p></div>
<p>As we prepare for our second year of <a href="https://yeacamp.org/adults/">YEA Camp for Adults</a>, we wanted to share more about its purpose, ways it’s similar but also different from a typical leadership or activism conference or training or retreat, and how it might be the most fun you’ve ever had focusing on self-care, personal growth, and changing the world.</p>
<p>We are living in a time when children are being separated from their families at the border, when those in power are ignoring scientists’ warnings about climate catastrophe, and the richest 26 people in the world currently own the same wealth as the poorer half of the entire global population. These are just a few of the most devastating injustices we are facing.</p>
<p>It’s enough to make a big-hearted person feel totally demoralized, check out, or give up.</p>
<p>But, thankfully, many people who have never been activists before are getting involved and inspired to bring about change.</p>
<p>Seeing this has been incredible! People are attending their first marches and getting involved in politics for the first time. They&#8217;re donating money, having uncomfortable conversations to challenge outdated thinking, and on and on.</p>
<p><strong>For the past 10 years, <a href="https://yeacamp.org/">YEA Camp </a>has been training teens to make a bigger difference on the social justice causes they care most about, and we recognize that folks 18 and up have some of the same needs as teens do to get involved at higher levels than ever before.</strong></p>
<h2>That’s why we created <a href="https://yeacamp.org/adults/">YEA Camp for Adults</a>.</h2>
<div id="attachment_8284" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbH_GwjiLrI&amp;t=29s"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-8284" class="wp-image-8284 size-medium" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Screen-Shot-2019-02-17-at-4.49.36-PM-300x167.png" alt="" width="300" height="167" srcset="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Screen-Shot-2019-02-17-at-4.49.36-PM-300x167.png 300w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Screen-Shot-2019-02-17-at-4.49.36-PM-768x429.png 768w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Screen-Shot-2019-02-17-at-4.49.36-PM.png 801w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-8284" class="wp-caption-text">Check out our new video about YEA Camp for Adults!</p></div>
<p>Changing the world is hard! Not only does it take knowledge about issues and skills to make an impact, it takes self-confidence to get out of our comfort zone, and community to learn from and work with.</p>
<p>So many people got their start as changemakers by mostly stumbling along without a plan or rationale. It’s often lonely and time-consuming to try things out without much in the way of relevant knowledge, skills, mentorship, or even open conversations with experienced activists to help navigate a path that is inherently entrepreneurial and against the status quo.</p>
<p>Left to our own devices, it’s too easy to just like posts on social media, go to a march every few months, and complain about all of the world’s problems without doing much of anything about them.</p>
<p>That’s where we try to intervene and make a real difference. We leverage the experience of our staff to help kickstart or up-level your activism.</p>
<h2><b>Social Justice Activism and Leadership Training for Aspiring Activists</b><a href="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quotes-3.png"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-8467 size-medium alignright" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quotes-3-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quotes-3-300x300.png 300w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quotes-3-150x150.png 150w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quotes-3-768x768.png 768w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quotes-3-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quotes-3-75x75.png 75w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/quotes-3.png 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></h2>
<p>At <a href="http://www.yeacamp.org/adults">YEA Camp</a>, we curate the most foundational concepts and skills that we want to make sure every changemaker has in their toolkit. Things like:</p>
<ul>
<li>Fundamental strategies for understanding and chipping away at racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression</li>
<li>Intersectionality and how different social justice issues relate to one another</li>
<li>Evaluating our habits and choices to see how our daily actions and purchases can be some of the simplest ways we can make a difference</li>
<li>Going deeper and examining our limiting beliefs and fears to help us find our voice and tap into our power</li>
<li>Tapping into our resilience when we feel overwhelmed and demoralized by the state of the world</li>
<li>Communication skills to help us have more effective interactions with people who we disagree with, especially those in positions of power &#8212; and to know when to avoid these interactions</li>
<li>Skills to inspire others to get involved, to use social media or grassroots outreach effectively, to raise money for your cause, or to launch a socially responsible business or venture</li>
<li>Interactive activities tailored to different learning styles and to help you apply everything you learn</li>
<li>Tapping into our creativity and using the existing skills we each have to find our niche and make a difference in a way that is most appropriate for each of us</li>
<li>Developing strategies to assess the best use of our time, and to make a plan that inspires us</li>
</ul>
<h2><b>Why A </b><a href="https://yeacamp.org/adults/"><b>Summer Camp for Activists</b></a><b>?</b></h2>
<p>So many reasons! Let’s focus on three.</p>
<div id="attachment_6556" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="www.yeacamp.org/adults"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6556" class="wp-image-6556 size-medium" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20449258_10156591357319698_8662852222835976633_o-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20449258_10156591357319698_8662852222835976633_o-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20449258_10156591357319698_8662852222835976633_o-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20449258_10156591357319698_8662852222835976633_o-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20449258_10156591357319698_8662852222835976633_o-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-6556" class="wp-caption-text">Join us at YEA Camp for Adults at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, just outside of New York City.</p></div>
<ol>
<li><b>Summer camp brings together the elements of fun, inspiration, and relaxation. </b>As activist-minded people, we can become focused on all the problems in the world. In comparison to so many injustices, it could feel impossible or selfish to enjoy our lives. We hope you&#8217;ll see that taking time to be out in nature, be silly, and enjoy life is a long-term investment in your activism. It can help us replenish our energy and inspiration so that we can think clearly and truly be of service to others.
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<h4><b>Camp inherently challenges us to get out of our comfort zones. </b></h4>
<p>From meeting new people, to being open to the unknown, to the most basic adjustments to new food and a bed that’s not your own. But as we tap into our courage in a safe environment, we can build a muscle that actually expands the size of our comfort zone. Things that made us nervous before become not so scary, and that is hugely helpful for any activist. With an activist mindset, we see infinite opportunities to take action beyond what we&#8217;ve done before, where we’re not sure what to expect, or where we may be opening ourselves up for criticism or perceived failure. We can all benefit by getting more comfortable getting out of our comfort zones.</li>
<li>
<h4><b>Camp might be the best place in the world to reinvent yourself. </b></h4>
<p>Most of us spend the majority of our time with the same people.  Our coworkers, family, friends, neighbors, and even ourselves know us to be a certain way. We are a product of our past ways of being and seeing ourselves. But what if we want to re-evaluate who we are or how we want to approach life? What if we want to pursue new passions or set new goals? That can be hard to just wake up and do one day over breakfast or at work.</li>
</ol>
<h4><b><a href="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/adult-testimonial-mary.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-8451 alignleft" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/adult-testimonial-mary-297x300.jpg" alt="" width="297" height="300" srcset="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/adult-testimonial-mary-297x300.jpg 297w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/adult-testimonial-mary-768x776.jpg 768w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/adult-testimonial-mary-75x75.jpg 75w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/adult-testimonial-mary.jpg 769w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 297px) 100vw, 297px" /></a>Being at camp is transformational. </b></h4>
<p>You get to show up as whoever you want to try out being. If you’re naturally shy, what if you try being outgoing? In a welcoming environment where nobody knows you, we won’t even know you’re just trying that out!</p>
<p>This is an opportunity to brainstorm a new way to get involved in your community or a more inspired career. We will have no judgments &#8211;just offer support and thoughtful input if you ask for it.</p>
<p>There are conferences and trainings to learn about specific problems in the world or to build specific skills. But they&#8217;re usually boring or stuffy, in a sterile hotel conference room all day packed with people you won’t get to know, and with someone droning on to explain a PowerPoint you could have read at home.</p>
<p>But what if you could learn the basics of what you need to know to make a bigger difference while also having one of the most fun weeks of your life, building strong bonds with like-minded supportive people, and spending time in nature rejuvenating yourself so that you feel inspired rather than drained?</p>
<p>That’s <a href="https://yeacamp.org/adults/">YEA Camp!</a></p>
<h2><b>Details, Please?!<br />
</b></h2>
<div id="attachment_7385" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="www.yeacamp.org/adults"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7385" class="wp-image-7385 size-medium" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/22196385_1892372824111372_1598511821426265117_n-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/22196385_1892372824111372_1598511821426265117_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/22196385_1892372824111372_1598511821426265117_n-768x576.jpg 768w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/22196385_1892372824111372_1598511821426265117_n.jpg 960w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-7385" class="wp-caption-text">YEA Camp for Adults is a leadership training and activist retreat all held on the grounds of an animal sanctuary!</p></div>
<p><a href="http://www.yeacamp.org/adults" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">YEA Camp for Adults</a> is held at the incredible Woodstock Farm Sanctuary &#8212; a home for rescued farmed animals who will be some of our hosts and friends as we enjoy our own sanctuary during our time together. We chose June 30-July 6, the week of July 4th, so it will be easier to get away.</p>
<p>We only have 50 beds, so this will be an intimate setting. Everyone will get to know everyone and nobody can fall through the cracks. The accommodations are modern, and we will have a personal vegan chef cooking for us! We also promise you will become friends with creatures with 2 legs, 4 legs, and even wings!</p>
<p>We also offer a sliding scale and financial aid to make it easier for people to be able to come.</p>
<p>If you’re passionate about making a bigger difference in the world, <a href="https://yeacamp.org/adults/">YEA Camp</a> was created with you in mind.</p>
<p>Summer is fast approaching! We hope you will take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity to take your change-making to new heights!</p>
<p>Check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/419456755268394/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">our event page here</a>. And find out more or register to join us this summer by <a href="https://yeacamp.org/adults/">visiting our website here</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://yeacamp.org/2019/04/17/yea-camp-for-adults-a-leadership-training-retreat-for-aspiring-social-justice-activists/">YEA Camp for Adults: A Leadership Training Retreat for Aspiring Social Justice Activists</a> appeared first on <a href="https://yeacamp.org">YEA Camp</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>10 Ways Parents Can Empower Their Courageous Child Activist</title>
		<link>https://yeacamp.org/2016/06/02/10-ways-parents-can-empower-their-courageous-child-activist/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Nora Kramer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jun 2016 23:49:26 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Activist Tips]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://yeacamp.wordpress.com/?p=3481</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>At YEA Camp, we specialize in empowering children and teenagers to make the world a better place. That’s why we’ve devised a helpful list so parents can nurture their courageous child activists.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://yeacamp.org/2016/06/02/10-ways-parents-can-empower-their-courageous-child-activist/">10 Ways Parents Can Empower Their Courageous Child Activist</a> appeared first on <a href="https://yeacamp.org">YEA Camp</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Have you seen <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbjabTS5kac" target="_blank">this video</a>? An adorable 6-year-old activist, Henry Marr, gives an emotional plea to his mother about wanting to save the environment. If you’re not one of the nearly 17 million people who have seen it, then watch it right now. You’ll thank us.</p>
<p>[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbjabTS5kac]<br />
Endearing, right? How can you not be moved by this kid’s passion for the environment?</p>
<p>At <a href="http://www.yeacamp.org" target="_blank">YEA Camp</a>, we know that as a loving parent it warms your heart to see your kid display such enthusiasm for an important cause. We also know that it can be upsetting to see your child feel so helpless over wishing they knew how to make a difference.</p>
<p>Don’t fret, loving parents, at YEA Camp we specialize in empowering children and teenagers to make the world a better place. That’s why we’ve devised a helpful list so you can nurture your courageous kid’s activism.</p>
<h3><strong>1. Make It Fun</strong></h3>
<div id="attachment_3492" style="width: 1868px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3492" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3492" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1-makeitfun.jpg" alt="1 MakeItFun" width="1858" height="1090" /><p id="caption-attachment-3492" class="wp-caption-text">Look Ma, activism is a blast!</p></div>
<p>The cause itself may be super serious, but your kid’s fight for the cause doesn’t have to be.</p>
<p>Did someone say delicious vegan cupcakes? How about assisting your child in holding a bake sale to raise money for their cause?</p>
<div id="attachment_3502" style="width: 622px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3502" class="alignnone  wp-image-3502" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1-cupcakes.jpg" alt="1 Cupcakes" width="612" height="547" /><p id="caption-attachment-3502" class="wp-caption-text">I&#8217;ll have three, please! Okay, let&#8217;s make that four!</p></div>
<p>Tapping into their artistic or creative talents, using social media, or getting friends involved are other great ways to make activism fun. Your kid’s much more likely to stick with their activism if they have a good time doing it.</p>
<h3><strong>2. Connect With Organizations</strong></h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="  wp-image-3509 aligncenter" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2-featured-organizations.png" alt="2 Featured Organizations" width="386" height="478" /></p>
<p>Now that your child is inspired to care about a particular cause, it’s important that he or she understands that cause and sees how others are tackling the issue.</p>
<p>The best way to learn is by introducing them to respected organizations that are leading the way on their respective issue.</p>
<p>Don’t have time to do all that research? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a <a href="https://yeacamp.org/what-you-can-do/" target="_blank">helpful cheat sheet</a> of amazing organizations that are fighting for the environment, LGBT rights, human rights, animal rights and more.</p>
<h3><strong>3. Listen To Your Kids… Really Listen</strong></h3>
<p>Children are full of wisdom if parents take the time to listen to them, and we’ve got two epic examples of parents who do just that.</p>
<p>In this first video, a young child in Nepal finds out that his parents are taking his beloved goat to be slaughtered, so he does everything in his power to get his parents to spare the animal’s life. His tenacity and kindness are an inspiration to behold. Imagine the trauma if his parents had ignored his pleas.</p>
<p>[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwIK7cjfVpg]<br />
In this second viral video, a toddler in Brazil has a heartfelt debate with his mother at the dinner table about the ethics of killing and eating other animals. His points are both innocent and poignant, as only a child can articulate.</p>
<p>[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrU03da2arE]<br />
These videos aren’t depicting children throwing bratty tantrums. These kids are sensitive souls who realize that the adults around them are harming animals, and it upsets them. The parents are respectful enough to listen to their children’s merciful pleas and agree not to harm the animals. These are beautiful moments of compassion caught on camera.</p>
<p>Whatever issues inspire your kids to express their passion, your support empowers them to think for themselves and to pursue their compassionate nature to be a caring person.</p>
<h3><strong>4. Introduce Them To A Mentor</strong></h3>
<div id="attachment_3524" style="width: 412px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3524" class="  wp-image-3524 aligncenter" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/shelby_kim.jpg" alt="shelby_kim" width="402" height="536" /><p id="caption-attachment-3524" class="wp-caption-text">Say hi to Shelby!</p></div>
<p>A great way to learn about a subject is to seek guidance from someone who specializes in that field. Help your child find an expert who’s willing to advise them on their journey of discovery.</p>
<p>This is an area in which we really pride ourselves at YEA Camp. Our <a href="https://yeacamp.org/about-us/#staff-bios" target="_blank">talented staff</a> is comprised of highly qualified professionals with teaching credentials and expertise in youth development, as well as accomplished former campers like Shelby, with much wisdom to impart. We give each camper the counseling they need to get their activism off to the right start.</p>
<h3><strong>5. Join Them!</strong></h3>
<div id="attachment_3533" style="width: 404px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3533" class="  wp-image-3533 aligncenter" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/photo-1-2.jpg" alt="photo 1 (2)" width="394" height="526" /><p id="caption-attachment-3533" class="wp-caption-text">Joyce &amp; her mother Mildred on their way to the People&#8217;s Climate March. What an inspiring team!</p></div>
<p>What better way to encourage your budding activist than to join them in their activism? Not only can this make it more fun (see #1) and double their impact, but it also creates a supportive family culture, where it’s understood that people care about others and stand up for what they believe in. Plus, you’ll definitely have more to talk about at the dinner table than what they learned (or didn’t learn) in school.</p>
<h3><strong>6. Well, Join Them… Within Reason</strong></h3>
<p>[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3Fg61KWing]<br />
No kid wants their parent hanging out with them all the time. Give them space to follow their passion independently as well. Sometimes that could mean just giving them a ride somewhere, helping them manage their schedule, or asking if they need any help.</p>
<h3><strong>7. Say, “Yes, You Can,” Not “No, You Can’t”</strong></h3>
<p>[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdCbYflyD68]<br />
See all those demoralizing insults Simon Cowell spewed at aspiring singers on &#8220;American Idol&#8221;? As a parent, do the opposite.</p>
<p>If your kid tells you that he or she wants to reduce homelessness in your town, don’t discourage them with details about how difficult it’s going to be. Celebrate that they care about such a crucial cause, and help them set goals for bringing about that change. Twelve-year-old Megan <a href="https://yeacamp.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/12-days-of-yea-camp-heroes-day-1-megan/" target="_blank">has raised thousands of dollars</a> with her school club for homeless people in Boston.</p>
<p>Kids need someone to tell them to dream big, and to help them strive for their goals, not set low expectations.</p>
<h3><strong>8. Help Them Believe In Themselves</strong></h3>
<p>[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DIETlxquzY]<br />
All too often our worst enemy is ourselves. Kids can be really hard on themselves, shooting down their own great plans before they’ve even given them a try, because they’re afraid they’re not up to the task. As their parent, you can give them the confidence they need to tackle any undertaking, no matter how impossible it may seem.</p>
<p>Providing a safe and loving home environment, encouragement in their endeavors, as well as support, perspective and understanding when things don’t go as planned.</p>
<h3><strong>9. Set A Positive Example</strong></h3>
<p>[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zoS2IfXRW4]<br />
Be the type of person who rescues a baby elephant who is stuck in a mud hole. Your kids will be better people with a role model like that. Whether it’s rescuing an animal (have you noticed we like animals at YEA Camp?), donating money to a nonprofit or candidate, volunteering, or conserving, the lessons your kids learn from watching you will last a lifetime.</p>
<h3><strong>10. Teach Intersectionality</strong></h3>
<p>This one’s a Level 5 on the empowerment scale, but it’s important to note that oppressive institutions—racism, sexism and so on—are interconnected and you’ll expand your child’s understanding of the world by helping them make those connections.</p>
<p>Does your child care about the environment? Great! Teach him or her the ways in which <a href="http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/2012/unequal-exposures" target="_blank">pollution disproportionately affects poor people and people of color</a>, or how the environment is <a href="http://www.mfablog.org/overpopulation-is-destroying-the-planet-but" target="_blank">negatively impacted by the meat industry</a>.</p>
<p>Does your child want to stop bullying? Fantastic! Teach him or her about how <a href="http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/bullying-and-gay-youth" target="_blank">LGBT youth are nearly twice as likely to be bullied than their non-LGBT peers</a>.</p>
<p>We need the next generation of advocates to be aware of the interconnection of the many different issues we face and to be allies for these different causes.</p>
<h3><strong>Best Parent Of The Year!</strong></h3>
<p>Thank you for being your kid’s greatest champion! We need more brave young change-makers in this world, and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!</p>
<p>You’ve raised a compassionate kid who wants to make a difference. It would be our great honor at YEA Camp to meet your wonderful young activist (the camp is open to kids ages 12-17) and guide him or her to follow their dreams. At <a href="http://www.yeacamp.org" target="_blank">YEA Camp</a>, they’ll be surrounded by like-minded peers and adults who want to help them, and they’ll develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to take action on what really matters to them.</p>
<p>Follow the above tips (and <a href="https://yeacamp.org/registration/" target="_blank">send your kids to YEA Camp</a> or <a href="https://yeacamp.org/get-involved/nominate/" target="_blank">nominate someone</a> who you know would love it!), and they’ll be well on their way to achieving great things, because any parent should support a kid who’d <em>really</em> rather visit a broccoli farm than support animal abuse at the circus.</p>
<p>[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7yMZGA2lzg]</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://yeacamp.org/2016/06/02/10-ways-parents-can-empower-their-courageous-child-activist/">10 Ways Parents Can Empower Their Courageous Child Activist</a> appeared first on <a href="https://yeacamp.org">YEA Camp</a>.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>10 Ways Kids Too Young to Vote Can Get Involved in Politics</title>
		<link>https://yeacamp.org/2016/03/14/10-ways-kids-too-young-to-vote-can-impact-the-election/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Nora Kramer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Mar 2016 19:02:05 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Youth Empowered Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[activism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bernie sanders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[climate change]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[community activism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[donald trump]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[election]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[feel the bern]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gay rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[get out the vote]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gotv]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[high school democrats of america]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hillary clinton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[internships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kids in politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leadership camp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[minimum wage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[political engagement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[primaries]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[raising the voting age]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social justice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social justice camp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[summer camp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teen activism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voter registration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[womens rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[youth activism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[youth in politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[youth leadership]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://yeacamp.wordpress.com/?p=2950</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Young people all over the country are getting engaged in politics -- even if they're too young to vote.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://yeacamp.org/2016/03/14/10-ways-kids-too-young-to-vote-can-impact-the-election/">10 Ways Kids Too Young to Vote Can Get Involved in Politics</a> appeared first on <a href="https://yeacamp.org">YEA Camp</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Good news. As important as voting is, do you know what makes an even bigger difference? Getting <em>other people</em> to vote and raising money for campaigns so that they can get <em>even more people</em> out to vote for your favorite candidates. And you can help, regardless of your age or registration status.</p>
<p>From big things like interning on a campaign to small things like talking to your family, here are 10 ideas to do just that. We are proud to include several that teens from <a href="http://www.yeacamp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">YEA Camp</a>, our summer camp for social change, have been doing around the country.</p>
<p><strong>1. Educate yourself on the candidates and the issues. </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/IMG_6732.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-5058" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/IMG_6732.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/IMG_6732.jpg 960w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/IMG_6732-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>A lot of the mainstream media discussion is more like describing a horse race &#8212; trying to predict who will win &#8212; versus a real discussion on what the candidates truly believe and what will be best for the voters. If you&#8217;re not already sure who you support, do your research. Go to the candidates&#8217; web sites to research their platforms and listen to the debates.</p>
<p>What issues are important to you? Some of the topics candidates disagree on include what our taxes should pay for, the cost of education, the environment, minimum wage, gun control, abortion rights, racism &#8211; including police brutality and mass incarceration &#8211;  and more. Most candidates either strongly support or oppose the president.</p>
<p>Once you are well-informed and know who you support and why, you will boost your confidence and credibility. This will help make you a great advocate for the candidates and the issues that matter to you.</p>
<p>Fewer people pay attention to &#8212; and vote in &#8212; the midterm (non-presidential elections), so your efforts to get more people voting can make an even bigger impact.</p>
<p>A great resource for learning more about the political process in general and to connect with local groups is <a href="https://www.indivisible.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Indivisible.org</a>.</p>
<div id="attachment_3078" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3078" class=" size-medium wp-image-3078 alignleft" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/12805706_962262153826977_8567858483573636388_n.jpg?w=300" alt="12805706_962262153826977_8567858483573636388_n" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/12805706_962262153826977_8567858483573636388_n.jpg 960w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/12805706_962262153826977_8567858483573636388_n-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-3078" class="wp-caption-text">Here&#8217;s 17-year-old YEA Camper Claire with her mom Lisa at a rally in Michigan</p></div>
<p><strong>2. Talk to the 18-and-over folks in your life (family members, friends, neighbors) about the election.</strong></p>
<p>Tell them why you support the candidate you do. If they are not politically active, you could ask them to vote for a certain candidate on your behalf. Or, if they support a different candidate, you could ask them why and see if you can change their mind by encouraging them to visit your candidate&#8217;s website or see them in person if they are speaking in your area.</p>
<p>Just your showing how important you see the election is likely to make them see it that way as well and to make time to vote. You can always offer them a deal, too, like you cook dinner that night so they have time to go vote! Key first is to make sure they are <a href="https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">registered to vote</a>.</p>
<div id="attachment_3117" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3117" class=" size-medium wp-image-3117 alignleft" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/12834548_1285820058099988_2051594717_n.jpg?w=300" alt="12834548_1285820058099988_2051594717_n" width="300" height="210" /><p id="caption-attachment-3117" class="wp-caption-text">Here&#8217;s 17-year-old YEA Camper Danielle with two friends at a rally in North Carolina.</p></div>
<p><strong>3. Get your opinions out there for others to see.</strong> Beyond your close family members, you can influence hundreds or thousands of people by posting your opinions or persuasive articles you read on your social media. Even just posting a picture of yourself and your friends at a rally on your social media encourages those in your network to be aware of the election and to consider supporting your candidate. You could also write an article for your school newspaper or a blog, or make a video about why you support the candidate you do.</p>
<div id="attachment_3124" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3124" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-3124" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/11717446_10153261714458831_6920429341723154220_o.jpg?w=300" alt="11717446_10153261714458831_6920429341723154220_o" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/11717446_10153261714458831_6920429341723154220_o.jpg 1078w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/11717446_10153261714458831_6920429341723154220_o-150x150.jpg 150w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/11717446_10153261714458831_6920429341723154220_o-768x767.jpg 768w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/11717446_10153261714458831_6920429341723154220_o-1024x1024.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-3124" class="wp-caption-text">Photo of youth phone-banking courtesy of High School Democrats of America</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>4. Phone-bank, write, or text.</strong> This is one of the key things that all campaigns need help with: calling, writing, or texting potential voters to identify supporters and encourage them to actually go vote. This GOTV (&#8220;get out the vote&#8221;) effort is critical to the success of any campaign.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/03/11-year-old_bernie_sanders_volunteer.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this inspiring story of an 11-year-old phone-banking</a>! He actually uses his age to his advantage &#8212; who&#8217;s going to be rude to an 11-year-old?</p>
<p>You can do this at a phone-banking party (making friends and making calls with other people who feel as strongly as you do), which you may be able to find out about on your candidate&#8217;s website, or you can even just make them from home on your own. This is huge, because you don&#8217;t need to get a ride anywhere or rely on someone else&#8217;s schedule.</p>
<p>Phone-banking is easy because you get a script of what to say, and you just follow that and be sure to mark the responses of the caller you speak to &#8211; if they are supporting your candidate, if they&#8217;ve already voted, or even if it&#8217;s a  wrong number. That information is critical to the campaign being able to follow up and ensure their supporters vote on Election Day, which makes the difference in a close race.</p>
<p>To get connected to a close race across the country and to help elect progressive candidates, go to <a href="https://www.sisterdistrict.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sister District</a> or to <a href="https://act.moveon.org/event/waves_attend/search/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MoveOn</a> to find election events in your area. You can also <a href="https://votefwd.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">write letters</a> or <a href="https://postcardstovoters.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">postcards</a> or <a href="https://resistancelabs.com/volunteer/text/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">send texts</a> from home.</p>
<p>And of course, even when it is not election season, you can always contact your elected officials to urge them to vote a certain way. Sign up for <a href="https://5calls.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">5 Calls</a> for notifications, scripts, and numbers so you can easily make 5 calls a day on causes that have a huge impact on our country.</p>
<div id="attachment_3102" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3102" class="wp-image-3102 size-thumbnail" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/12027596_797354380374208_1363930545028313151_n-150x150.jpg" alt="12027596_797354380374208_1363930545028313151_n" width="150" height="150" /><p id="caption-attachment-3102" class="wp-caption-text">Signs from voter registration drive at YEA Camper Ana&#8217;s school</p></div>
<p><strong>5. Help get people registered to vote and help get them to the polls. </strong></p>
<p>Just as important as persuading people to support one candidate or another is getting people to register to vote and making sure that they actually vote, either on Election Day or by mailing in an absentee ballot.</p>
<p>There are lots of ways to do this, from informally by talking to people in your community to volunteering at campaign events.</p>
<p>Most seniors at your high school will be old enough to vote in November&#8217;s election, but many are not registered to vote and don&#8217;t know how to vote (where to go, what to do).</p>
<p>Sixteen-year-old Ana Little-Sana, former YEA Camper and the former president of the California <a href="http://hsdems.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">High School Democrats of America</a>, held a successful voter registration drive at her high school in San Diego along with a photo booth where people could pose with signs to show their political passions. Over 10% of the student body registered to vote that day!</p>
<p>In fact, there are also efforts in different states to lower the voting age <a href="http://www.10news.com/news/should-16-year-olds-be-allowed-to-vote-in-california-021116">to 16 in California</a> and to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/11/politics/sanders-ohio-lawsuit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">enable 17-year-olds turning 18 by November to vote</a> in Ohio. Research if this is happening in your state and how you can support these efforts.</p>
<p>The more people vote and get engaged in the political process, the stronger democracy we have. You can get involvd with <a href="https://www.rockthevote.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rock The Vote here</a>.</p>
<div id="attachment_8142" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/13600090_10155061860144698_7850563801251310060_n.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-8142" class="wp-image-8142 size-medium" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/13600090_10155061860144698_7850563801251310060_n-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/13600090_10155061860144698_7850563801251310060_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/13600090_10155061860144698_7850563801251310060_n-768x576.jpg 768w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/13600090_10155061860144698_7850563801251310060_n.jpg 960w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-8142" class="wp-caption-text">From our mock presidential debate we had at YEA Camp in 2016.</p></div>
<p><strong>6. Ask your teachers to make class time for discussion about the candidates and what students can do.</strong> Some schools even have mock elections where students get to vote. Not only does this help students get thinking about this election cycle to potentially influence their families, it also starts them off young in getting politically engaged, which can lead to a lifetime of active participation.</p>
<p><strong>7. Swag.</strong> Wear a t-shirt for your preferred candidate, put a bumper sticker on your notebook or the family car (they can take it off in November), and put a sign in your front yard or apartment window. When people see that others are supporting a certain candidate, it reminds them that an election is coming up and the importance of voting.</p>
<p><strong>8. Intern or volunteer for a campaign.</strong></p>
<p>If you&#8217;re really dedicated, this is an incredible way to devote yourself to getting a candidate elected. (It&#8217;s also great for your college applications.)</p>
<p>There are hundreds of Congressional and local races coming up in November that pose a fantastic opportunity to learn about the political process and have an even bigger impact on a race.</p>
<p>Fifteen-year-old YEA Camper Ananya Singh has been unhappy with her Congressional representative and so started interning on the campaign for his opponent to get him out of office. Ananya&#8217;s enthusiasm is inspiring. <strong>&#8220;</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Not being able to vote will never stop me from making an impact! This is a historical moment, so get engaged,&#8221;</strong> she wrote. </span><a href="https://yeacamp.org/2018/10/07/too-young-to-vote-but-not-too-young-for-politics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read about her experience here.</a></p>
<p>Another high-schooler, 15-year-old YEA Camper Jake Johnson interned for a Congressional race in ihs home state of Arizona. &#8220;On the campaign I reached out to and helped register voters to get as much turnout as possible and educate voters on what they were voting for,&#8221; Jake explained. <strong>&#8220;Working on a campaign was one of the best experiences that I&#8217;ve ever had and it taught me so much about what&#8217;s going on in the world, and what I can do to change the world.&#8221;</strong></p>
<p><strong>9. Fund-raise for a campaign or organization.</strong> Whether it&#8217;s a bake sale, a car wash, a yard sale, a lemonade stand, or any other creative idea you have, you can donate the money you raise to the campaign. Even easier than that: sign up for the email list of your favorite candidate and forward campaign emails on to adults who might donate.</p>
<p>All fundraising is also awareness-raising, so be prepared to explain why you support the candidate or cause you do.</p>
<p>Ask for campaign birthday and holiday presents &#8212; no matter the time of year! Ask the people in your life who normally give you presents for your birthday or the holidays to donate that money to the candidate of your choice instead.</p>
<p>To build long-lasting support, <a href="https://movement.vote/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Movement Strategy Center</a> supports grassroots organizations around the country, rather than donating to any individual candidate directly.</p>
<p><strong>10. Use your personal skills and passions to help your candidate. </strong></p>
<p>Maybe you&#8217;re great at graphic design or art and can create and share a fun image that will make people think. Maybe you love to make music and you want to write a song that will inspire people. Maybe you have a following on social media that you can influence, you can put your writing abilities to use in the school newspaper, or you can apply your cookie-making abilities at your bake sale. Or just be on the lookout for ways to get involved. We can each contribute in our own ways.</p>
<p><a href="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/43322891_10158003896559698_6630378333253140480_n.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-8143 size-medium" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/43322891_10158003896559698_6630378333253140480_n-276x300.jpg" alt="" width="276" height="300" srcset="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/43322891_10158003896559698_6630378333253140480_n-276x300.jpg 276w, https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/43322891_10158003896559698_6630378333253140480_n.jpg 374w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 276px) 100vw, 276px" /></a>There is so much that all of us can do to make a difference in the world, no matter what our age. <strong>Voting is absolutely important if you are old enough, but that is just one vote.</strong> <strong>Doing any of the actions above means impacting a lot more people, and those votes all add up.</strong> These races are close, and we all have an opportunity to make an impact. So get to it! And <a href="https://yeacamp.org/about-us-orig-0316/contact/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">let us know</a> how it goes.</p>
<p>And if you or someone you know is 12-17 and passionate about social justice and making a difference in the world, join us at YEA Camp this summer! YEA Camp is a summer camp for social change, where each camper chooses their issue of importance (IOI) that they want to focus on and develop the knowledge, skills, confidence, and community to take their passions to the next level in bringing about the change we so badly need. And you&#8217;ll make incredible friends and have so much fun. See the details at <a href="http://www.yeacamp.org">YEACamp.org</a>. We even have a <a href="http://www.yeacamp.org/adults" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">camp for adults</a> too!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://yeacamp.org/2016/03/14/10-ways-kids-too-young-to-vote-can-impact-the-election/">10 Ways Kids Too Young to Vote Can Get Involved in Politics</a> appeared first on <a href="https://yeacamp.org">YEA Camp</a>.</p>
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		<title>Embodying Love: School Club Inspires Positive Body Image and Self Esteem</title>
		<link>https://yeacamp.org/2016/01/28/embodying-love-school-club-inspires-positive-body-image-and-self-esteem/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Nora Kramer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jan 2016 21:16:33 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Youth Empowered Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[body image]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[body positivity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eating disorders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[embody love club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[embody love movement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fat shaming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[feminism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[peer support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[school club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self esteem]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[summer camp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teen activism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[womens rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[youth activism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[youth leadership]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://yeacamp.wordpress.com/?p=2264</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>By Ashley Lytle Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and seen something you felt was &#8220;wrong&#8221;? I have, and so have several of my friends. These insecurities can cause depression, eating disorders, anxiety, a lack of self-confidence, and more serious issues. I have friends who starve themselves because they don’t fit this “ideal&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://yeacamp.org/2016/01/28/embodying-love-school-club-inspires-positive-body-image-and-self-esteem/">Embodying Love: School Club Inspires Positive Body Image and Self Esteem</a> appeared first on <a href="https://yeacamp.org">YEA Camp</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight:400;">By </span><span style="font-weight:400;">Ashley Lytle</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2275" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12065752_822683717849214_1586552697753881197_n.jpg?w=225" alt="12065752_822683717849214_1586552697753881197_n" width="225" height="300" />Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and seen something you felt was &#8220;wrong&#8221;? I have, and so have several of my friends. These insecurities can cause depression, eating disorders, anxiety, a lack of self-confidence, and more serious issues. I have friends who starve themselves because they don’t fit this “ideal person” that society has created.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">One day I woke up and realized how down I felt. I realized how much I hated who I was and I realized that several people and events had contributed to this mentality that I had developed, a mentality that so many others have developed as well.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2278" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12193301_822683697849216_164218977155252171_n.jpg?w=225" alt="12193301_822683697849216_164218977155252171_n" width="225" height="300" />I thought about the people in my life, the way they’ve been affected by trying to fit this “ideal” that is unreachable, and the way it has affected my life personally. I started reading about many people who were drawn so deep into depression and who had developed such a low self confidence that they decided life wasn’t worth it anymore.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">I realized how easily that person could be my friends or even myself one day if something didn’t change. Then I thought about how our peers and our surroundings help contribute to this negative mindset, and I decided that I wanted to do something about it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">A lot of the people I meet don’t see this to be an issue. I think that’s because of how normal this has become in our society, and that scares me. Something that can cause such harm has become normal. That&#8217;s not how it should be.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">At <a href="http://www.yeacamp.org" target="_blank">YEA Camp</a>, I realized this was the issue of importance I wanted to focus on. I was introduced to an organization called the <a href="http://embodylovemovement.org/" target="_blank">Embody Love Movement</a> that is dedicated to helping encourage others to love themselves. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2281" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/embodylove-logo.jpg?w=300" alt="embodylove logo" width="300" height="127" />Once I got home, I reached out to the movement, asking to start a club at my school through them. I was put into contact with a woman by the name of Meghan Scanlon, who is a trained facilitator for the Embody Love Movement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"> I am now three meetings into this club with 10-12 club members. We are planning on doing a few different campaigns.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><br />
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2288" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12247841_827613367356249_6342753703955435127_o.jpg?w=300" alt="12247841_827613367356249_6342753703955435127_o" width="300" height="300" />This year at my school, we will be running a love mirror campaign, working to host a workshop through the Embody Love Movement, and looking into adding a mural at our school promoting loving oneself. The love mirror campaign writes kind phrases such as “you’re beautiful!” or “you’re smart!” on sticky notes. The sticky notes are posted around the edge of the mirror like a border for people to see whenever they see themselves.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" size-medium wp-image-2284 alignright" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12193350_822683784515874_3812565152045714901_n.jpg?w=300" alt="12193350_822683784515874_3812565152045714901_n" width="300" height="225" />We’ve only just begun as a club and are still figuring out how to navigate the road ahead of us. If there’s one thing that I’ve figured out through this experience, it’s that loving yourself can be hard when surrounded by a negative environment, even if that environment is made up by those you call your friends.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2292" src="https://yeacamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12088245_822683681182551_5963954805076848507_n.jpg?w=225" alt="12088245_822683681182551_5963954805076848507_n" width="225" height="300" />My goal is to help create a safe, nurturing, welcoming environment where everyone can feel free to embrace who they are without the notion of needing to be like the “ideal person.” The truth is, there’s no such thing as the “ideal person.” Everyone is beautiful just the way they are. They’re unique and original; they’re an imperfect perfection. That’s how it should be.</span></p>
<p><em>GO ASHLEY! </em><em>We at YEA Camp are so inspired by your dedication to this important issue! And we LOVE <a href="http://embodylovemovement.org/" target="_blank">Embody Love Movement</a>! We&#8217;re thrilled to have connected you and that you&#8217;ve followed through on your action plan from camp!</em></p>
<p>If you or a teen you know wants to spend the week learning how you can make a bigger difference on the cause you&#8217;re most passionate about, while meeting other inspired young people like Ashley, join us at <a href="http://www.yeacamp.org" target="_blank">YEA Camp</a> this summer.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://yeacamp.org/2016/01/28/embodying-love-school-club-inspires-positive-body-image-and-self-esteem/">Embodying Love: School Club Inspires Positive Body Image and Self Esteem</a> appeared first on <a href="https://yeacamp.org">YEA Camp</a>.</p>
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		<title>So much to be thankful for and inspired by!</title>
		<link>https://yeacamp.org/2015/12/02/so-much-to-be-thankful-for-and-inspired-by/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Nora Kramer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Dec 2015 23:23:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[social justice summer camp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teen leadership camp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Youth Empowered Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[#blacklivesmatter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[animal rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[black lives matter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[climate change]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[embody love movement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[farm sanctuary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greenpeace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[planned parenthood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social justice camp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[summer camp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teen activism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vegan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[womens rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[youth activism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[youth leadership]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://yeacamp.wordpress.com/?p=1687</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>So many current happenings in the world and stories in the mainstream media instill hopelessness, fear, and anger. Yet, there is so much positivity happening as well. Our inspiring campers &#8212; and the amazing things you have helped make possible through supporting them &#8212; are telling a different story. SO MUCH ACTIVISM! In the months since YEA Camp, our&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://yeacamp.org/2015/12/02/so-much-to-be-thankful-for-and-inspired-by/">So much to be thankful for and inspired by!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://yeacamp.org">YEA Camp</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h4><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1697" src="https://yeacamp.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/11754847_10152979455367681_7825462891141139529_o.jpg?w=225" alt="11754847_10152979455367681_7825462891141139529_o" width="225" height="300" />So many current happenings in the world and stories in the mainstream media instill hopelessness, fear, and anger.</h4>
<p>Yet, there is so much positivity happening as well.</p>
<p>Our inspiring campers &#8212; and the amazing things you have helped make possible through supporting them &#8212; are telling a different story.</p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>SO MUCH ACTIVISM!</h2>
<p>In the months since YEA Camp, our campers have done so much to impact their schools and communities and to speak out for what&#8217;s important to them. We will be sharing much more in the coming weeks and months, but here is just a small sampling of inspiring things our campers have done.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" alignleft" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/aa999840662d618a61a9bb2cc/images/a0d8f34d-8581-4da1-acd1-508cd7a6e018.png" alt="" width="250" height="256" align="left" />Fourteen-year-old YEA Camper Lauren in California turned heads at school and showed her support for Planned Parenthood by participating in the #PinkOut campaign. Her sign read &#8220;I #PinkOut for Planned Parenthood to fight back against attacks on reproductive rights. Join me! #StandwithPP today!&#8221; Go Lauren!</p>
<p>Thirteen-year-old Gaby from New York wanted to go to a march about police brutality in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign but knew she wasn&#8217;t going to be able to make it &#8212; so she did the next best thing. She leafleted about it at her school &#8212; and TWO TEACHERS AND FIVE OF HER FRIENDS went as a result of finding out about it from her! Go Gaby!</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" size-medium wp-image-1701 alignleft" src="https://yeacamp.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/12118946_170748533266273_1219478317263467927_n.jpg?w=225" alt="12118946_170748533266273_1219478317263467927_n" width="225" height="300" />Ananya from New Jersey was recently named <a href="https://greenwire.greenpeace.org/usa/en/" target="_blank">Greenpeace&#8217;s Volunteer in the Spotlight</a>, featured on Greenpeace&#8217;s home page! Just 12 years old, Anaya gathered students at her school to participate in Greenpeace&#8217;s Climate Ribbon Project. The students created 160 ribbons for the upcoming COP21 climate change conference in Paris to show international leaders that youth care about our environment. Go Ananya!</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" alignright" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/aa999840662d618a61a9bb2cc/images/c9860715-cdbc-4cc2-b0c3-51d4b3cbfe11.png" alt="" width="250" height="182" align="right" />Over a dozen YEA Campers from across the country fundraised and participated in Farm Sanctuary&#8217;s Walk for Farm Animals, including this group of campers who marched for YEA Camp in New York. After the walk, the campers had a mini reunion at a neighborhood veg restaurant! Love!</p>
<p>Fourteen-year-old Orianna from a conservative part of California convinced a teacher at her old elementary school to let her teach a weekly class about gender and stereotypes! The class has been going great, and Orianna has been reaching out to our YEA Camp community for curriculum ideas and tips. So far, she has taught lessons about gender as depicted by the media, which toys are meant for boys or girls and why, privilege, and more. Amazing! Go Orianna!</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" alignleft" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/aa999840662d618a61a9bb2cc/images/bf5f3d2d-0a6f-4ef4-a16d-a850d54afb1c.png" alt="" width="250" height="210" align="left" />Ashley from Oregon, 16, recently started an Embody Love Club, as part of Embody Love Movement, which she first learned about at YEA Camp. The club helps promote positive body image and self esteem.</p>
<p>Ashley also writes for her school newspaper about social issues, and she is publishing a book that is a collection of literature entirely written by youth! If you know a teen who is interested in contributing, <a href="http://aworkofart.webs.com/" target="_blank">check it out here</a>. Wow, Ashley!</p>
<p>As we reflect on all we have to be grateful for, we wanted you to see just a fraction of what you have helped make possible.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" alignleft" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/aa999840662d618a61a9bb2cc/images/05a6b2a0-c46e-465b-830d-a9b2e0c9e2d7.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="299" align="left" /></p>
<h1>THANK YOU.</h1>
<p>YEA Camp is made possible by so many people who contribute their time, money, heart, and energy to this labor of love, helping young people make a bigger difference on causes that matter so much.</p>
<p><strong>We will be announcing our 2016 dates and opening up registration for next summer, as well as sharing some exciting new plans, very soon. In the meantime, THANK YOU for everything you do to make our world a better place!</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://yeacamp.org/2015/12/02/so-much-to-be-thankful-for-and-inspired-by/">So much to be thankful for and inspired by!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://yeacamp.org">YEA Camp</a>.</p>
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