| For the first time ever, The BTS Center, Maine People’s Alliance and Pilgrim Lodge came together to offer Climate Justice Camp for teens, a week-long camp for high schoolers focused on climate justice and intersectionality. |
| Over the last full week of July, a group of high school students gathered at Pilgrim Lodge to participate in a very special week of summer camp. Organized and led by staff from The BTS Center, Maine People’s Alliance, and Pilgrim Lodge, this immersive experience melded the joys of summer activities — swimming, kayaking, singing, hiking, making s’mores by the fire — with deeply intentional programming centered on climate justice. Eleven justice-minded, thoughtful campers gathered with five staff to form an intentional community over the course of the week (including The BTS Center’s Associate Director, Rev. Nicole Diroff and Rev. Dr. Jodi Hayashida of Maine People’s Allianced served as co-deans with counselors Kelsea and Erin, and Chaplain Jack of Pilgrim Lodge). Each morning the campers came together for a Sacred Gathering among the trees followed by an individual nature-based contemplative practice, and each evening held a Sacred Gathering in the chapel after dark with candles and guitars and time for individual sharing as well as collective singing. Campers had the opportunity to hear from and learn with a number of special guests throughout the week. Molly Schen of Third Act Maine gave a presentation on climate impacts in Maine and shared about the money pipeline work in which Third Act is engaged. Her presentation sparked great interest in the impacts of money and banking in the climate crisis, a conversation which continued over dinner! Rev. Ian Lynch of Waterville United Church of Christ visited camp to lead the campers in a meditative birdwatching adventure and a deeper understanding of the impact of climate change on Maine’s bird populations. And Abigail Hayne, Maine Youth Climate Engagement Coordinator in the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future offered information and insight on the Maine Climate Council, our state’s climate action plan, and how young people can get involved and be a force for change in their own local watersheds. Throughout the week, campers explored together who they might choose to be in these times and how they might work to build communities that protect both people and planet. With opportunities to gather in sacred space, as well as lots of time for fun and learning, Climate Justice Camp offered a nourishing environment for engaging with deep and challenging questions that are on the minds of many young people today. The connections which were forged in this special week continue to unfold, and we are excited to see what emerges for each of the campers who joined us! We were all deeply impressed by the wisdom, thoughtfulness, and verve of the young people who participated, and we hope they will carry great memories of camp and tools for further exploration as they return to a new school year. Scroll down to see what the campers have to say about their experience! |
What campers are saying about the week:
“My favorite part of my camp experience was being vulnerable with peers and learning about just how big the climate change issue is.”
“I loved meeting in the labyrinth.”
“Pilgrim Lodge is a community that cares and is welcoming to all.”
“The Climate Justice Camp theme of kinship was most important for me because I’ve been taught that the nature around us is not worthy of true respect and I’ve always felt differently.”
“My definition of a ‘Climate Justice Champion’ is someone who works to educate those who don’t know about the extent of climate change.”
