YES! Environmental Action Camps started in 1990 to address the growing need for environmental education that inspires and empowers young people to take action. Currently ninety-five percent of US high school students do not believe the world will be a better place in 30 years. Young people without a sense of hope often become cynical and bitter towards the world, and cease to feel a sense of responsibility for meaningful and positive participation in the global community. YES! Environmental Action Camps help young people to meet the challenges of our world from a place of courage and vision. We help youth to see the problems in our world not as more reasons to despair, but rather as more reasons why their life has the potential to make a deeply needed difference. By bringing diverse youth together and creating a common framework of respect, honesty, trust and shared purpose, YES! helps young people to catch a glimpse of the kind of world they might yet create — and to gain support and skills for playing active leadership roles in their communities.

The YES! Environmental Action Camp experience has developed over eight years and 54 camps —it’s a winning formula that has already changed thousands of lives and inspired stunning success from youth in over 30 countries. In 2000, 12 or 14 weeklong camps are taking place in seven US states and in (depending on funding) between one and to African nations. Three hundred student leaders from 40 states and20 countries will gain environmental knowledge and skills for community organizing, fundraising, public speaking, resolving conflicts, building effective teams, and more. Since YES! makes a committed effort to reach young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, nearly 50% of attendees will be on full or partial scholarship, and they will represent every major race and religion in America today.

The YES! Environmental Action Camps address both the areas of education, and sustainable consumption.

Results are measured based on the responses and feedback received from camp participants, parents and teachers; by how well we meet our tangible goals for the year; by the fullness and diversity level at our camps; by the growth of student clubs and the expansion of youth-run projects; by the networking of various student groups; and by the appearance of new student leaders and trained organizers as a direct result of our work. Communication with different constituency takes place through e-mail, telephone, and mail, enabling YES! to monitor student actions, collect success stories, and receive ongoing feedback. An annual report is published including details on the results.

True, lasting environmental education is most effective when it is experiential, and moving. Inspirational exercises, guest speakers, open sharing, and music make for a powerful formula for transforming people’s relationship with the earth, and with their communities.

Levana Saxon, International Coordinator
Youth for Environmental Sanity (YES!)
Bronco Rd.
Soquel, CA 95073, USA
Tel. (831) 465 1091420
Webpage: http://yesworld.org