Empowering young adult advocates for leadership in social justice and sustainability

Hosted by the Antioch University Environmental Studies Program

Monday, July 6th - Friday, July 10th 2026
Wolf Ridge Residential Environmental Learning Center, Finland, MN
$519

IMAGE ALT TEXT HERE The Summer Environmental Advocacy Camp Pilot is a 5-day/4-night, immersive, nature-based advocacy camp that will take place in the Northwoods of Minnesota to train and inspire young adults (ages 18-20) as the next generation of advocates and leaders for sustainability and social justice.

Overview

Who: Twenty young adults ages 18 to 20 (at least 18 by start of camp)
Where: Wolf Ridge Residential Environmental Learning Center, Finland, MN
When: Monday, July 6th - Friday, July 10th 2026
Why: Train the next generation of environmental advocates; develop relational networks; strengthen the power of local, regional, and national advocacy efforts and partnerships for sustainability and social justice.

Through hands-on workshops, real-world engagement, and collaborative learning, participants will gain:
✔ Practical advocacy skills to navigate sustainability and social justice systems change
✔ Leadership training to organize movements and influence change
✔ Strong community of like-minded young leaders committed to sustainability and social justice
✔ Relational networks with mentors and leaders in the field of advocacy and social change
✔ Opportunities for creative advocacy to turn ideas into action
✔ A sense of hope, inspiration, and agency to become authors of their own stories and collectively shape their world

IMAGE ALT TEXT HERE

Learning Goals:

1. Participants will gain knowledge, skills, and abilities to navigate systems-level change for climate, sustainability, and social justice
2. Participants will grow their understanding of who they are, their capacity for leadership, and their ability to organize movements and influence change
3. Relationships will be built among participants, mentors, and advocates, strengthening national network of climate and environmental leaders
4. Camp will provide an immersive, nature-based learning opportunity for reflective personal inquiry, self development, and collaborative experimentation
5. Camp will serve as a launching pad for engagement in climate, sustainability, and social justice movements by sharing evidence-based best practices for advocacy and exploring real world applications

Curriculum

● Day 1: Personal Exploration and Storytelling
○ Arrival, orientation and relationship building, what is your story, and relationship to advocacy
● Day 2: Core Concepts of Advocacy
○ Advocacy basics, social movement theory, ecological knowledge, environmental advocates, and case studies of climate, sustainability, and social justice
● Day 3: Connecting with Nature and Community
○ Nature-based learning, communication skills, ways of knowing, belonging, and identity and leadership
● Day 4: Advocacy in Action
○ Designing an advocacy campaign, making a plan for action, find your people
● Day 5: The Future of Advocacy
○ Sharing advocacy visions and plans, celebration and ceremony, reflection and evaluation, departure

Cost

The camp costs $419 per participant. This include lodging, meals, and programming, and does not include travel expenses. Cost should never be a barrier to participation, if there are concerns about costs, please contact Amber Butler: abutler1@antioch.edu.

FAQ

How do I get to Wolf Ridge ELC?
● Address: 6282 Cranberry Rd, Finland, MN 55603
● Flights:
○ Fly into Duluth (DLH) and drive to Finland (~75 miles or 1.5 hours)
○ Fly into Minneapolis (MSP) and drive to Finland (~230 miles or 3.75 hours)

How long is the camp?
● 5 days and 4 nights (3 full days + 2 half days of curricula and 2 half days of travel)
● Arrival is the morning of Monday, July 6th with dorm move in starting at 11:00 am.
● Departure is the afternoon of Friday, July 10th (~1:00 pm), dorm move out at 9:00 am.

Photo of one of the door rooms. A rectangular room with bunk bed in each corner (four bunk beds total). Each bottom bunk is made up with white sheets, a pillow, and yellow and white blankets. A desk and chair sit under two square windows that look out to the bright forest. What are the venue and accommodations like?

● Wolf Ridge campus has indoor and outdoor classroom spaces, dorms with common spaces, administrative buildings, dining hall and kitchen, a farm, and plenty of trails
● Accommodations are dorms with private bathrooms and common spaces. Dorms have twin-size bunk beds. Bring your own bedding.
● Camp Mentors should expect to share a dorm with another camp mentor.
● Camp Participants should expect to share a dorm with 3 other participants (4 per dorm).

What are meals like?
● Meals will be provided from lunch on arrival day to lunch on departure day.
● Group meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are served cafeteria style in the dining hall.
● Dietary accommodations will be communicated ahead of time with the kitchen staff (note: kitchen and dining halls are peanut and tree nut free).
● Coffee is available in the dining hall from 6 am to 6 pm. Bring your own travel mug.

What should I bring?
● Packing lists will be sent out beforehand.
● Variety of clothing layers (i.e. warm and cool) are recommended to accommodate the regional climate as well as classes being taught in indoor and outdoor spaces.
● Rain layers, sun protection, bug protection, and sturdy footwear are also recommended
● Participants can expect to join a preparation call before the camp where more information will be given and questions answered.

What is the weather like?
● Summers in Minnesota are quite nice with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s and can be sunny or rainy.
● Temperatures and weather patterns can vary due to the proximity to Lake Superior (often called “lake effect”)

Questions? Contact Amber at abutler1@antioch.edu.

Learn More:

● Antioch University
● Antioch University’s Environmental Studies and Sustainability Department: Mission, Vision, & Values
● MS in Environmental Studies, Advocacy for Social Justice and Sustainability
● Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center