Tell Me More About YEA Camp for Adults
YEA Camp for Adults Is Here!
So much of what it takes to make a bigger difference in the world are things that are not taught in schools and that most of us could use some help with. Things like:
- How different social justice issues are interconnected, and the basics of what we need to know to make a difference
- Finding our voice to courageously speak up about what's important to us
- Determining what actions we can take in our busy lives to step up and make a bigger impact on what matters to us
- Learning to plan a campaign, get active in politics, and make a difference through your career
- Overcoming difficult emotions so we can make strategic choices and communicate effectively
- Care for ourselves and enjoy our lives, even as we work to address injustice
You will get trained in all of these and more -- all while having the best week of your summer!
SOCIAL JUSTICE:
Promoting fairness and equality in society
ACTIVISM:
Taking intentional action to help others, with an eye for the big picture; purposefully trying to bring about a change to benefit society
LEADERSHIP:
Seeing what there is to do and doing it, putting aside excuses and doubts that might get in the way
CAMP:
A life-changing opportunity to focus on your passions, make incredible like-minded friends, have so much fun, and challenge and reinvent yourself
This unforgettable week combines valuable leadership training for a social justice cause, while also bringing together inspiring like-minded people to enjoy the heartwarming experience of summer camp that nobody is too old for!
WHAT WE DO
Each day of YEA Camp is a combination of inspiring interactive workshops, silly traditional camp games, opportunities to visit with new friends (human and the animals at the sanctuary!), self-care activities, and key YEA Camp activities that will build your confidence and elevate your sense of the difference you -- or anyone -- can make.
About halfway through camp, you’ll choose your IOI -- your issue of importance -- that you want to focus on to make a difference, and by the end of camp you’ll leave with a plan to do it, and our whole community to support you.
KNOWLEDGE
We will delve into the roots of social injustice so we can each assess how to best address the problems we are most passionate about.
We will explore:
- human rights issues relating to racism, gender, class, and privilege overall
- environmental sustainability and ways to reduce our ecological footprint
- the treatment of animals, especially meeting and hanging out with the animals at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, where camp will be held
- the interconnection of issues that may seem unrelated, which will help us be more strategic in our approach
- institutions and systems that perpetuate injustice, such as our political system, media, and corporations
- strategies and tactics that have been effective in bringing about change
SKILLS
You will be able to choose skill-building workshops conference-style to make sure you learn the skills that are most relevant to you.
Communication: How do you talk to people confidently about an issue you care about -- especially if they disagree? Learn nonviolent communication and persuasive techniques to help you listen better and say what you mean without being mean.
Social entrepreneurship: Develop creative ways to start a business or use skills you already have at work that can bring about change.
Politics: Learn the basics to get engaged in politics, as well as get training in proven techniques to influence politicians and voters.
Campaign Planning: Whether you're trying to make your workplace more eco-friendly or diverse, or you're trying to change a law, some of the basics of how to turn a complaint into a victory are the same. Learn how to go about making change on something you care about.
Fundraising: Learn effective ways to raise money to support causes and projects you care about.
Grassroots Outreach: Learn the benefits to different forms of grassroots outreach and get training and practice from experienced activists.
- Social Media: Learn to maximize the impact you can make online.
Arts Activism: Use your creativity through music, visual art, video, spoken word poetry, or more, to inspire people to make a difference
With a bunch of new tools in your activist toolkit, you will be poised to make a difference on any cause you care about for years to come.
CONFIDENCE
It takes confidence to speak up for what you care about, to deal with haters, and to take risks in playing bigger in life. We are often bombarded with messages that can leave us doubting the impact we have, but we're out to change that.
By the end of YEA Camp, expect to:
Own who you are, what you care about, and what you believe in.
Leave empowered like never before to do public speaking or advocacy for what's most important to you.
Know that your interpersonal skills will enable you to engage in a wide variety of experiences that might have previously intimidated you.
Recognize your gifts and value, and see that you are important in our movement for a better world.
Expand your comfort zone and then go outside of it.
COMMUNITY
We all need the support of like-minded people and organizations to help us put our passion into action.
At YEA Camp you will:
Meet lots of other people who care as much as you do about making a difference.
Make friends who accept and appreciate you for who you are. and are dealing with similar challenges.
Feel a stronger sense of belonging than you probably ever have before.
Get connected to organizations working on causes you care about.
Know you are not alone and that your friends from YEA Camp have your back even once you’re home.
DOES YEA CAMP SOUND PERFECT FOR YOU?
Great! We can't wait to meet you!
WHO COMES TO YEA CAMP?
Only the most amazing people on the planet!
This is our first ever YEA Camp for Adults session so first and foremost we can tell you who it is for -- people:
- of any age. We currently have campers ages 19-59, with about 25% of participants ages 40-60.
- passionate about different progressive social justice issues, from all sorts of human rights issues to the environment and animals. Because YEA Camp for Adults is held at the amazing Woodstock Farm Sanctuary and all of our food is vegan, lots of our participants have a soft spot for animals and are committed to helping improve their treatment.
- of different socioeconomic backgrounds. Because YEA Camp offers a sliding scale and financial aid, we have people from different walks of life, from wealthy to low-income to just starting out.
- Some participants have already been active on a cause they care about, while others are looking for help to figure out what to do.
YEA Camp is designed to help all participants make a bigger impact than before, whether they’re starting from 0 or 100!
Each day packs in so much, and yet it will fly by! You’ll be ready for a good night's sleep….
Accommodations
Our venue, Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, is an actual summer camp, complete with cabins with bunk beds, dining hall and family-style meals, and a campfire!
But don't worry -- we won't really be roughing it. There are regular indoor bathrooms, decent wifi, and some of the sweetest (or maybe only!) pigs, cows, chickens, and turkeys you will ever meet.
We have two cabins -- one that will be all female (we always have more female attendees), and one that will be mixed genders. When you register, you will be able to select which cabin you prefer.
A: While we don't publish our full weeklong schedule, you can see a sample day's schedule on our YEA Camp for Adults main page.
While this year is our first YEA Camp for Adults, this is our 10th year running YEA Camp, and a huge amount of thought and learning has gone into our curriculum.
We do a huge variety of activities, from workshops on emotional and intense topics to skill-building activities, to silly games and a dance party, to fun time visiting with the animals.
YEA Camp addresses the whole you: someone who wants to learn practical skills and also wants to enjoy time in nature, to have straight-talk about the challenges we are dealing with, and also to have the goofiness of a talent show! (You don't have to sign up, but it's good practice getting outside your comfort zone!)
Of course, if there are any activites you would rather not participate in, that's entirely up to you. If you have any specific questions, let us know.
A: YEA Camp was started and is directed by longtime social justice advocate Nora Kramer. Nora is the author of YEA Camp's new The Beginner's Guide to Changing the World ebook, and you can read about her background as well as that of the rest of our staff on our About Us page.
Our staff is composed of a diverse group of changemakers with experience working on issues from racism to animal rights, climate change to indigenous rights, feminism to homelessness. We hire staff for their activist experience, positive attitude, good judgment, respect for and knowledge of many social justice issues, and their all-around willingness to have a good time while working to change the world.
We are thrilled and proud that at our first ever YEA Camp for Adults session, on staff we will have several former campers who now have years of activism experience under their belt -- way more than most adults do! -- and a lot to teach the rest of us.
A: YEA Camp is conveniently located at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary in High Falls, NY, just about 1-½ hours from Manhattan. High Falls is just outside the town of New Paltz, where there are regular buses leaving from Port Authority bus terminal in New York City. If you plan to drive and are able to offer a ride, or if you would like to be connected to someone driving or taking the same bus as you are, please let us know so we can connect you. There is plenty of parking at the sanctuary. Click here to see the bus information and to buy a ticket to New Paltz. Depending on the demand, we may be able to offer shuttles from the bus station in New Paltz, though if not you can easily catch a cab for the 15 minute ride to Woodstock Farm Sanctuary.
DOES YEA CAMP SOUND PERFECT FOR YOU?
Great! We can't wait to meet you!
Food
One of the most common compliments that we get about YEA Camp is about our food. And we admit it, they’re right! Our food is amazing! And our food is important.
DID YOU KNOW..?
Our food choices are one of the single most impactful decisions each of us makes each day. The simple choice of what to eat has big impacts on animals, the environment, and our own health. Research shows that if more people ate a more plant-based diet, it would have huge benefits in our society.
We feel it would be hypocritical to work towards sustainability, well-being, and nonviolence while serving food that undermines all of these.
So at YEA Camp we are proud to serve food that is mostly organic, vegan, and fair-trade, with local produce where possible. We love showing that food can be all of these things AND be delicious!
We are doing good by eating well, and we also get to practice living more sustainably during our time together.
One of the most common compliments that we get about YEA Camp is our food. And we admit it, they’re right! Our food is amazing! And our food is important.
DID YOU KNOW..?
Our food choices are one of the single most impactful decisions each of us makes each day. The simple choice of what to eat has big impacts on animals, the environment, and our own health. Research shows that if more people ate a more plant-based diet, it would have huge benefits in our society.
We feel it would be hypocritical to work towards sustainability, well-being, and nonviolence while serving food that undermines all of these.
So at YEA Camp we are proud to serve food that is mostly organic, vegan, and fair-trade, with local produce where possible. We love showing that food can be all of these things AND be delicious!
We are doing good by eating well, and we also get to practice living more sustainably during our time together.
OK, OK, so what do we eat?
BREAKFAST
THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY!
At breakfast we always have fresh fruit or fruit salad, cereal and soy or almond milk, and juice or tea. Some of our breakfast menu items include:
- Pancakes (we don’t recommend drenching it like this person did, but up to you!)
- French toast
- Hash browns or home fries
- Breakfast burrito
- Tofu scramble
- Cinnamon buns or muffins
- Bagels with Tofutti cream cheese, Earth Balance margarine, or PB&J
LUNCH
Lunch always includes a salad and a side like macaroni salad or French fries, and the option of PB&J or leftovers from a previous meal. Served with juice, iced tea, or lemonade. Sample menu items include:
- Teriyaki rice bowls
- Barbecue tofu
- Burritos
- Veggie burgers
- Sloppy Joe’s
- Tofurky sandwiches
- Sushi
SNACKS
All this world-changing is making us hungry!
YEA Camp serves two snacks a day — one about halfway between breakfast and lunch, and another around midway between lunch and dinner. Some popular ones are:
- Fresh fruit (organic and local when possible)
- Pretzels or chips
- Freshly popped popcorn
- Chips and salsa
- Baby carrots with hummus
- Yummy leftovers
DINNER
Dinner always includes a salad and a side like garlic bread or grilled vegetables, and the option of leftovers or PB&J; with juice, iced tea, or lemonade.
- Taco bar
- Veggie curry with coconut rice
- Stuffed shells
- Pizza
- Indian food
- Spaghetti
DESSERT
Don’t forget DESSERT!
YEA Camp’s food is way healthier than most camps’ or schools’ food, but it’s still camp and you gotta live a little!
Some of the incredible desserts our amazing chefs may be preparing:
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Brownies
- Ice cream sundaes
- Cupcakes
- Cinnamon rolls
- Rice Krispie treats
- Cake (especially if it’s someone’s birthday!! Then it’s accompanied by our special YEA Camp birthday song 🙂
In conclusion, our food is amazing! We know you will love it. And it is prepared with love.
You can even check out our YEA Camp Cookbook!
No worries, our menu is designed with you in mind! We get overwhelmingly positive reviews of our food from people who didn’t even know what the word “vegan” meant before camp. Our food is similar to what you would eat at a “regular” camp -- just the vegan (healthier, more sustainable, and more compassionate) version.
We will no more try to “convert” you to change your diet at home than we will try to get you to recycle at home. Which is to say that these are both really impactful things you can do to make a difference (actually, eating vegan makes a way bigger difference than recycling), and we hope you’ll do both as much as you can, but we aren’t here to tell you what to do. That’s for you to figure out and decide for yourself. And we love you no matter what.
A: Yes! Our excellent chefs go out of their way to accommodate people with allergies. Gluten-free, soy free, nut-free or other variations of our meals are placed out as alternatives for each meal, depending on what allergies are reported. We are not a nut-free camp.
Please let us know of any allergies when you register so that we can prepare ahead of time and make sure that we can accommodate you.
If you are concerned about a potentially life-threatening allergy, please contact us so that we can discuss your needs.
Ha, we wouldn't blame you, but actually, no. You do need to want to make a difference on a cause when you go home. Consider the amazing food to be your reward for spending your days at YEA Camp learning to make our world a better place.
Ready to join us
for an experience that just might change the trajectory of your life and be the best week of your year?
Register now!