Democracy Camp 2022

Help Students Answer the Call to Public Service!

Democracy Camp is a program for Cal students interested in enhancing our democracy through public service. This four-day spring break “boot-camp” will help 15 undergraduate students get engaged, empowered, and informed faster about how to make an impact in their communities and beyond. Democracy Camp will help students chart their path to a meaningful public service career. We hope to keep this program alive and continue to enrich student experiences here at Berkeley. Please make your gift today and help us spread the word! 

About Democracy Camp

This program will train a new generation of leaders: young people who reflect our society and come from all walks of life. We believe that attracting people with varied perspectives and life experiences to public service will ensure a more effective and representative government moving forward.  Democracy Camp will give students first-hand exposure to different facets of a public service career: legislative paths, community organizations, local, state and federal government, and philanthropy. Participants will learn directly from presenters about the opportunities available in these fields. They will have networking opportunities and build a cohort amongst themselves to support their career goals. There will also be skill-building modules that focus on practical and tangible takeaways: interviewing, resume writing, and mentoring.  Democracy Camp is sponsored by the Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) and the Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service at the University of California, Berkeley. IGS stands at the forefront of research, teaching, and service in California and American politics and policy. Interdisciplinary and non-partisan, we foster thoughtful discussions of issues across party lines that focus on solutions – not just problems. Our mission is anchored by a belief in the transformational power of public service.

How You Can Help

We are excited to continue this program, but we can’t do it alone! We estimate that this project will cost approximately $7,500. We hope to crowdfund $5,000 and the Institute of Governmental Studies has agreed to contribute the balance. Any funds raised above the $5,000 will be used for other IGS student-centered programming. Democracy Camp will primarily serve first-generation, non-traditional, and transfer students. This program increases access and opportunity for all Cal students, especially those who can’t afford to participate in an unpaid summer internship. In addition to the experiential learning program and additional reading materials, all meals and snacks will be provided to students during the week. This will help defray costs for students who may otherwise be concerned about food insecurity during Spring Break. IGS staff are donating their time to create this opportunity for students. Additional funds raised above our goal will offset other costs.  Please help us reach our goal of $5,000 by making a gift today!  No gift is too small, and your support will ensure that we are able to provide the best educational experience possible for UC Berkeley’s motivated change-makers!

COVID19 Implications

Due to COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, Democracy Camp was offered virtually this past spring. (Read Student Director Peter Cole’s journal of 2021 Democracy Camp here.) In the unlikely event that the need of social distancing continues into the spring of 2022, Democracy Camp will be a virtual experience. We plan to give students a stipend so they can purchase their own food and supplies for the week.

Get a Thank You Picture from our Democracy Camp Mascot, Chai!

For donations of $50 or more, we will post a personalized thank you picture from Chai on our social media webpages! Donate now and receive a thank you picture from Chai!

To learn more visit: https://igs.berkeley.edu/student-learning/democracy-camp

Thank you for your support!