Here's what Campus Camp Wellstone alumni say when we asked them, "what one or two things did you take away from Campus Camp Wellstone?":
"I took away the ability to have an energized campaign along with what to look for while building a coalition. I found this experience AMAZING. It has truly helped the organization that I worked for."
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"It was a great introduction to the world of grassroots advocacy, and it really sent a message that I could be apart of it."
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"I came away feeling empowered and ready to get involved politically. That fall [after the camp] I worked on a political campaign and this spring I helped start a new student group."
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"I took away a lot of valuable information about developing leadership skills within myself and in others. I learned so much about the importance of effective communication and the importance of setting good, specific, strategic goals above all else."
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"I walked away with a new sense of passion for progressive issues and a sense of empowerment after hearing the impact that grassroots movements and organizations can have."
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"I took away a new perspective on leadership development and group dynamics, which I then made an effort to apply in my leadership position in the College Dems. I also gained contacts with progressive student leadership from around the Kalamazoo community, which really opened my eyes to the number of people dedicated to the same values and goals as me. This made me even more motivated to work for change in my community."
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"I made a lot of connections, which led to the majority of projects/campaigns on which I am currently orking."
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"[What I took away was] that you just need to get out there and talk to people, it's that easy."
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"[I took away] Developing a ‘message box.' Creating a youtube video. Connecting an issue campaign with a candidate who can champion the issue."
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"I really took away the idea that you have to plan and that taking the time to think about your goal and how to get there is really important. I also learned a lot about volunteer recruitment and leadership development. I had a tendency to just do everything myself rather than delegate, but I learned how valuable it is in developing leadership and increasing capacity by recruiting others and giving them jobs."
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