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 in Burlington for youth by youth. Participants share what they’d like to learn about and we spend each day on a different topic. The goal of the camp was 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 our most recent camp here.
BIPOC Overnight Camp
Our BIPOC Overnight Camp is held at the Common Ground Center for middle and high school youth from all over Vermont. It’s a time for youth to play, try new things, and connect with other youth and adults. We practice self-care and community care through playing games, learning about our experiences and histories, making art, writing poetry, and more. Find out about the 2025 camp here.
Youth Organizing Training Program
The Youth Organizing 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 will be hosting our first Statewide Youth Gathering in April 2025. The objectives of the gathering are 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. There is a group of twelve youth from all over the state who are planning the gathering.