YEA Camp Is an Animal Advocate’s Dream Vacay

Posted by Calvin on April 11, 2023

The school year is almost over—we’re officially in the homestretch! 🎉

With summer break just around the corner, you might be wondering what would be a good way for a young animal advocate like you to spend their time off. What if we told you that there’s an awesome summer camp where you can strengthen your activism skills, make friends, and enjoy a delicious, 100% vegan menu? If this getaway sounds perfect, YEA Camp is the place for you.

What’s YEA Camp?

Youth Empowered Action (YEA, pronounced “yay”) Camp is a weeklong overnight leadership and activism retreat for young people between the ages of 12 and 17 who want to make the world a better place. Since 2009, it has inspired over 1,500 campers to drive change for the causes they care about.

This year, YEA Camp will be held from July 1 to 9 in Hinsdale, Massachusetts, in the gorgeous, mountainous Berkshires. The modern camp facility has all the basics, including electricity and indoor bathrooms, plus it goes beyond the basics with spectacular hiking, swimming, and kayaking sites. Campers will fly in from all over the country (and even from other countries) to take part in this one-of-a-kind experience, and staff can even pick you up from the airport if you don’t have a ride.

What Will I Do There?

YEA Camp will offer you training so that you can make a bigger difference on issues that are important to you, like animal rights, racism, the climate catastrophe, homophobia, and more. You’ll learn why many of our world’s problems exist and how you can fight for change. Campers consistently rate their YEA Camp experience as one of the most inspiring weeks of their life, and you’ll be able to use the skills you learn to create new school clubs, organize fundraisers and petitions, speak at hearings, and take other actions to advance animal rights.

YEA Camp is a chance to make friends with other young people who care about the world, build up your self-confidence, and have a ton of fun in the sun. 🌞 (Just remember to protect your skin with vegan sunscreen!) Plus, all-vegan food will be served, to promote compassion for animals as well as campers’ health. Check out this sample menu of scrumptious breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, and desserts. Is your mouth watering yet?

How Do I Sign Up?

If you’re between 12 and 17 and you want to be a camper, sign up here. The all-inclusive $2,050 tuition covers lodging, meals, snacks, activities, and workshops. YEA Camp also offers monthly payment plans and financial aid for low-income youth, so everyone can feel comfortable applying.

Are you older than 17 and still interested in being involved in this unique social justice experience? YEA Camp is hiring for positions, including counselors and assistant chefs, that will help make this a life-changing experience for campers. You would be at camp from June 26 to July 9 to get trained before the campers arrive and would be paid a stipend in addition to having your room and board covered.

Pro tip: Whether as a camper or a worker, going to YEA Camp looks great on college applications and résumés.