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PROJECTS The first Counter It! Youth Activist Training Camp was held in August 2008 at beautiful Garden Farme in Ramsey, MN. It drew about 25 youth activists from across Minnesota for 4 days of workshops and trainings on countering military recruitment and war, understanding the roots of U.S. foreign policy, and organizing in schools. We discussed and debated the pillars of U.S militarism, the history of U.S. military interventions across the globe, and the reasons behind the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There were hands-on workshops on how to effectively convince youth not to join the military and to get involved in the anti-war movement. Camp-goers also drew inspiration from screenings of the films “Sir No Sir!,” about the anti-Vietnam war movement among rank-and-file soldiers, and “The Ground Truth,” which shows the Iraq war from the perspective of Iraq Veterans Against the War. The commitment and dedication shown at the camp was remarkable. After days jam-packed with workshops and trainings, participants often stayed up late into the night, hanging around the campfire playing guitar and discussing politics and strategies to change the world. The camp was run on a participatory, popular education model, designed to draw on the variety of experiences and knowledge brought by participants, as well as to facilitate an environment where everyone felt free to participate. We were aided by the help of experienced facilitators from The Ruckus Society who came in from California to help, and by generous grants from the Headwaters Foundation and the Fellowship of Reconciliation. In 2009, we are hoping to organize another Counter It! camp, most likely at the middle of August. If you’re interested in attending, please e-mail us at info@youthresistance.org and stay tuned to this website. Feedback from 2008 Counter It! Camp Participants: “At the camp I was surrounded by youth activists devoted to creating a better world. I came home telling even some of the most conservative people I know about all the organizing I was going to do. The only bad thing about it was it didn’t go long enough!" – Jon McCormick, Foley High School, Foley, MN “It was a really great experience. Not only did I learn a lot but I had fun. This is necessary for anyone interested in organizing. Again! Again!” – Kira Downey, Jefferson High School, Bloomington, MN
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