Youth Organizing
In January 2023 we hired a dedicated staff member to oversee our youth organizing. We are so excited to be offering an array of youth organizing and leadership development opportunities to young people in Vermont this year. We believe that by developing youth leadership and creating a network of relationships between youth organizers youth will gain the skills and capacity to make changes and run successful campaigns for education justice at their local schools and districts. Many of our leadership opportunities have stipends to make them accessible to all youth and to value their time and leadership.
If you are interested in learning more about youth organizing opportunities, email kayla.edjvt@gmail.com
Summer Social Justice Camp
Our Summer Social Justice Camp is a day camp for youth by youth. This summer, there are camps happening in Chittenden County, Washington County, the Northeast Kingdom, and Addison County. The goal of the camp is to not only create an incredible learning experience for youth, but to also provide a framework so youth across the state have access to a camp like this. Check out the toolkit for organizing your own camp here. Find information about this year’s camps here.
Camp Free to Be
Camp Free to Be is a BIPOC-centered camp for youth ages 12-17 from all over the state. We practice self-care and community care through playing games, learning about our experiences and histories, making art, writing poetry, and more. It’s a place where youth of color can simply be who they are. Find out about the 2025 camp here.
Youth Organizer Training Program
The Youth Organizer Training Program is for middle and high school youth in Vermont. For the second year, we have partnered with Outright Vermont to provide five daylong training retreats throughout the 2024-2025 school year. In the program, participants have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of youth organizing, receive support for your local school change work, and help guide the coalition’s work.
Internship Program
In Fall 2024, we started an internship program with four youth who previously took part in our Youth Organizer Training Program. The interns are focused on building our Youth Social Justice Network and planning our Statewide Youth Gathering. Using the skills they learned through other work with us, the interns have more responsibility and do more independent work.
Youth Social Justice Network
We are working to create a network of social justice, racial justice, and BIPOC affinity space clubs in Vermont. Our hope is that the network can build power, share resources, and learn from each other. We also plan to support the network by coordinating regional gatherings and offering workshops. Fill out the mapping survey with your club to be connected to the network.
Statewide Youth Gathering
We hosted our first Statewide Youth Gathering in April 2025. The objectives of the gathering were to create connection to unify Vermont social justice clubs, sharing skills and resources for self-advocacy and making change in schools, and cultivate joy and energy for our work. A group of twelve youth from all over the state planned the gathering.