Advocacy and Activism: Empowering the Changemakers of Tomorrow Camp

Prepare to be amazed as you watch your differently-wired kiddo make real friends, explore this unique content, grow under the guidance of this expert mentor, and be seen in all their glory!

Our Promise To You

100% Satisfaction Guarantee:

Due to the unique nature of our fast paced Summer camps, if you’re not 100% IN LOVE with this camp within the first 24 hours, you can either transfer to another camp or get a 100% refund to your family’s YSA account as credit toward a future class.

That’s it! No hassle!

Why Take This Course?

Does your child want to make a difference in the world but isn’t sure where to start? Advocacy and Activism is the perfect course to help them find their voice, understand key social issues, and take meaningful steps toward creating positive change.

This hands-on class equips young changemakers with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to advocate for causes they care about, while fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.

  • Does your child want to make a difference in the world but isn’t sure where to start? Advocacy and Activism is the perfect course to help them find their voice, understand key social issues, and take meaningful steps toward creating positive change.

    This hands-on class equips young changemakers with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to advocate for causes they care about, while fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.

    What Will Your Child Gain?

    • Understanding of Social Issues:
      Students will explore topics like climate change, human rights, equity, and more, learning about their roots, impacts, and potential solutions.

    • Advocacy Skills:
      Through interactive projects, students will learn how to create compelling arguments, write impactful speeches, design campaigns, and use digital tools for change-making.

    • Confidence in Taking Action:
      By practicing real-world strategies, such as organizing events, starting petitions, or meeting with local leaders, students will gain the skills to turn passion into action.

    • Collaboration and Leadership Skills:
      Working together with like-minded peers, students will develop teamwork and leadership abilities, strengthening their capacity to inspire and motivate others.

    What to Expect:

    • Interactive Lessons and Activities:
      Each session combines engaging discussions, group projects, and hands-on activities that empower students to apply what they learn in real-life scenarios.

    • Focus on Communication:
      From persuasive writing to public speaking, students will master the art of communicating effectively and inspiring others.

    • Tools for Action:
      Students will explore digital platforms, grassroots methods, and creative techniques to advocate for their chosen causes.

    • Real-World Applications:
      Whether designing a mock campaign, presenting to a group, or brainstorming local initiatives, students will practice actionable strategies to create change.

    Why Take Advocacy and Activism?

    This course goes beyond the classroom to prepare students to become engaged citizens and leaders in their communities. It’s an opportunity for young people to discover their power, connect with peers who share their passions, and gain the skills needed to create a better future.

    Give your child the tools to make a difference. Enroll today and watch them transform their passion into action!

  • What Will Your Child Gain?

    • Understanding of Social Issues:
      Students will explore topics like climate change, human rights, equity, and more, learning about their roots, impacts, and potential solutions.

    • Advocacy Skills:
      Through interactive projects, students will learn how to create compelling arguments, write impactful speeches, design campaigns, and use digital tools for change-making.

    • Confidence in Taking Action:
      By practicing real-world strategies, such as organizing events, starting petitions, or meeting with local leaders, students will gain the skills to turn passion into action.

    • Collaboration and Leadership Skills:
      Working together with like-minded peers, students will develop teamwork and leadership abilities, strengthening their capacity to inspire and motivate others.

  • A great internet connection and an open mind!

 

Ages: 9-12 & 13-18

Class size: Maximum- 8 Students

Meets: Daily Mon-Fri

Level: All levels welcome

Price: $26 per day

How To Enroll

Explore Times

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What Our Parents Say…

  • “If not for Katie, then we truly believe our daughter, ___, would not be where she is with not only her songwriting and lyric composition, but also at her earnest discovery of her musical abilities and love of music.”

    -Jeffrey

  • “The classes were the highlight of my son’s week. Every week he came out of that class in a better mood than he went into it. We only wish he didn’t graduate so he could take more!”

    -Lauren

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Meet Your Mentor

Katie Barnwell

Katie is a highly experienced music industry professional whose diverse inspiration is reflected in her varied body of work. She is a recipient of the American Prize in Opera Performance, has toured the country with her rock band, and has collaborated with well known rappers.

Katie has also been teaching in a variety of settings for over 5 years, from virtual school, to one-on-one music lessons. As a former 2e student, and lifelong learner, she understands the complexity in all people, and the importance of not forcing anyone into a box. Her teaching style is one of adaptability and innovation, allowing each student's unique strengths to flourish.

Explore Other Courses Offered by Young Scholars Academy

Questions Asked By Fellow Parents

  • 4 KEY things:

    1- A focus on the positive! We don’t focus on what students aren’t doing, we support what they are and we know the rest will come. We develop strengths, interests, and relationships. We build students up so they can build a better world! And do it with the new friends they make in our program!

    2- Like-minded neurodivergent peers. Our asynchronous students need one another and YSA is a safe haven for these kiddos to connect around their asynchronies, quirks, and interests. We’re a place where they can be their authentic selves and make friends while doing so!

    3- Passionate, masterful neurodivergent mentors who have walked the walk and can authentically validate and support your child with personal experience and care AND expertise as we all have advanced masters + degrees

    4-Content your students care about taught in a way they love! We offer the courses they need to be taking, not the ones they’re required to take.

    Come by and see for yourself!

  • Please don’t confuse reactive “distance learning” and virtual enrichment programming. After all, a student who is completely fried from a boring zoom class is often quick to pick up a tablet or phone, right?

    Our courses are not at all the same animal =)

  • THIS IS A SATISFACTION GUARANTEE, so your child must attend the class in question to qualify.

    If you’re not 100% IN LOVE with your courses, here are your options:

    1- 8-Week Courses Refund requests must be received up to 24 hours after the first course begins to do one of the following options: 

    Payment plan or Paid in full- 3 options: transfer to another course of the same price, get a 100% refund credit toward a future class, or get a 75% money-back to the original payment method. 

    2-  16+ Week CoursesThe deposit made at the time of enrollment is non-refundable. Cancellation options are:

    Payment plan- Cancellation requests received up to 24 hours after the first course begins will stop any future payments. Any cancellation requests beyond that require a 30-day notice to stop the membership/billing.

    Paid in full- Cancellation requests require a 30-day notice. The remaining balance at the end of the 30-day cancellation period can be used to transfer to another class or be converted to credit toward a future class.

    Please read the description of each course before enrolling.

  • We do! We have 3 kinds:

    1- Word of mouth: 25% off- we know that the best way to reach new families is word of mouth. When you help another family enroll in a YSA class and they name you at checkout, you will get 25% off the cost of the course you’re currently enrolled in once they stay past the refund period. Note— this applies to all regular courses, BUT only applies to the first month of membership courses.

    2- Multi-sibling: 10% off- We believe in supporting whole families and we are willing to put our money where our mouth is! When you sign-up 2 or more kiddos you will receive 10% off. Note— this does not apply to our membership courses.

    3-Multi-course: 10% off- To fully serve your family, we hope to provide your child with all the courses they dream of taking! To make this more affordable, when you enroll in 3 or more classes, you will receive 10% off. Note— this does not apply to our membership courses.

  • Of course!

    As we like to say, if you’re on our site, you’re in the right place.

    Our programming is for students who are not being supported or challenged enough in school.

    If you have an asynchronous kiddo who you know has strengths and struggles, our courses are for your child.

  • 2e students experience such asynchronous development that it proves difficult to have hard age limits.

    We often evaluate students on a case by case basis =)

    Please email us and we’ll discuss: sam@youngscholarsacademy.org

  • All of our programs are 100% virtual. This allows us to bring together the twice-exceptional/neurodivergent students of the world, connect them, and nurture them!

    Your child may very well enter a 6-person class with 5 other students from 5 different states/countries!

    Cool, right?