Your donation supports young people to unite, resist and lead the change

I had a life-changing experience at the 1966 Kentucky Encampment — the first held in the deep South. Today, I pay that privilege forward by donating each year toward the sponsorship of young people whose families cannot afford the full program fee. You’ll hear from a few of them in this letter. I’d like to share some of my EFC experience and where it took me in life. I hope you will add your donation to mine to make a real difference in the lives of the young people who apply to the Encampment.

I attended the EFC at age 15 from a Catholic farm family in rural Pennsylvania, north of Philadelphia. At the Encampment, I lived, learned and worked with young people from different backgrounds from across America. I remember the discussions about poverty, and the federal programs to bring income and services to economically poor Appalachian areas. For part of the time, two other Encampers and I lived in a rural house with an elderly woman as we worked on our service project. It was part of the workshop about poverty and community development and I also learned about colonialism and imperialism. I have memories of feeling cared for and being listened to.

Since the Encampment, I have been a life-long activist, starting with organizing women’s liberation activities and anti-Vietnam War protests. I worked for the Feminist Press on Long Island, under Florence Howe, who founded the Feminist Press and inspired the national women’s studies movement.

While working as an administrative assistant, I organized white collar workers at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, where blue collar workers were already organized. Then Philadelphia 1199 hired me to organize white collar workers throughout Philadelphia. I taught high school social studies over a period of 10 years as I was raising a family with my husband. Later, I worked as a public benefits paralegal at the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau. For 21 years, I represented low-income individuals who had been denied or terminated from public benefits. I have participated in the Nuclear Freeze Campaign, Peace Resource Center and Women in Black. In later years, I’ve participated in climate change and environmental justice campaigns.

Applications for the 2025 program are inspiring and demonstrate the enduring passion of young people to work for justice:

“I hope to implement my leadership skills, share different ideas and realities, ask for help and provide it when necessary as well as being open to learn and master new skills. I believe my cultural and academic background will contribute to the program. I am passionate about learning from and about others."

“I want to attend because I’m eager for an immersive, hands-on experience in social justice, something I know I can’t learn in a traditional classroom. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of activism, engage with diverse perspectives, and develop skills that will help me make a meaningful impact in my community.”

My sister had the incredible opportunity to attend the 2022 Encampment program. When she returned home, she could not stop talking about how the Encampment changed her life. It changed the way she thought about activism, community, and the appreciation of culture, while allowing her to create lifelong friendships. I told my mom I wanted to attend the program when I was of age, and that is why I am applying to the 2025 cohort.”

These young people are applying at a time that one recent alum described as “daunting and confusing” — to say the least! We are in a time where the very existence of democracy and equity are being undermined by our government. In our recruiting materials, we invite youth to “unite, resist, and lead the change you want to see with peers from around the country.” This is what the Encampment has been doing since its inception and we are committed to continuing to give young people the transformative experiences, skills and support to be the leaders we need in this harrowing time.

I recently learned that the Encampment relies on individual donors to keep doing this work. The combined donations of alums, supporters and organizations provide around 85% of our annual budget. If all the people who care about the Encampment chip in whatever they can afford, we can continue to operate in these chaotic times. These young people want to make this a more just and equitable world and they need our help to do that. Please donate to our Spring Sponsorship Fund today.

In Community,

Carol Ahlum

Click to visit our Honor-Someone-by-Sponsoring-2025-Encampers page. You can see the ways to donate and view the slider where people are honoring folks who inspire them.

EFC's FEIN: 30-0694938

Our website: https://encampmentforcitizenship.org/