Anytown Las Vegas | Testimonials

Sanniya

My perspective on people and the world has changed dramatically after attending Camp Anytown. Everyone whether differing or similar to yourself is human and feels, bleeds, and loves as you do. Each of us has a sexuality, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and identity which makes us different. But these things shouldn’t separate us further already than what racism, xenophobia, homophobia, prejudice, and privilege has already done. They should unite us in our differences to promote respect, peace, and coexistence with one another. From learning these things at camp I’ve become an ally in my school and community and have returned as a CIT (Counselor in Training). After attending Camp Anytown, I co-founded the continuation of camp ideas and discussions in the Youth Power Project where former Anytown delegates and other youth come together to discuss the hard topics of our culture in a safe environment to promote ideas and youth empowerment. It has brought social activism for minorities and POC to the forefront of my goal in life – that is to make a change and promote equality and equity in people’s lives.

Laila

I was a delegate at the 2016 Fall session. This experience has changed me and my community for the better because it has equipped me with the tools to combat oppression. This camp allows youth voices to be heard at a global level. In January, I was given the opportunity to go on a fully sponsored trip to New York City to represent Camp Anytown Las Vegas at the United Nations for an Interfaith Symposium. In addition to a life changing experience, this program has also set me up for the next four years of my life. My college admission essay was based off my experience at Camp Anytown and how globalized I became because of the diversity I was exposed to. I was not rejected to a single school I applied to and am privileged to take all of camp’s influence to Michigan State University during the fall of 2019.

Caleb

Camp Anytown taught me that to be the future, you have to stop living in the past. They showed me to be a trailblazer and blaze my own path. They created an environment that helped me understand every concept they were teaching. They showed me that Camp Anytown is no camp at all, Camp Anytown is family. I live Anytown everyday correcting and checking those who need to be checked and showing kindness to those who have none in there life. I have checked myself and made sure I am doing the correct thing because a wise man one said ‘it’s about making a big deal out of little issues that make the biggest change’. I sincerely have changed since attending Camp Anytown and now it’s time for me and my family to change the world.

Mahlet

Camp Anytown truly changed my perspective on life, it was such an amazing experience and made me such a better person!

Emily

Since attending Camp Anytown, I began volunteering at Opportunity Village and returned to Camp Anytown as a CIT (Counselor-In Training) to ensure the next generation of youth feel empowered and seen. I am now using the skills I learned as a CIT to empower and teach Color Guard at Silverado High School. Camp Anytown has taught me to raise my voice and fight for what I believe is right. I am now taking a course in Women’s Studies to further my knowledge about race, identity, gender and culture so I can have a better idea of what others go through.

Kolby

Camp Anytown has not only helped me grow as a leader but as an overall person. I went to camp thinking that I knew everything I needed to know about diversity, however, at camp, I was able to meet so many new people from different backgrounds and was able to gain a new perspective that I had never seen before. I heard stories that motivated me to fight for change and I’ve seen the pain that other youth have gone through and it has pushed me to advocate for a better future.

Kaitlyn

After attending Camp Anytown, I became a counselor-in-training, participated in the People’s Convention in Detroit, and spoke on a radio show about the impact the program left on me. This program has taught me to advocate for less censorship, showcase resilience in the face of adversity, and the importance of youth power. I will now be attending the University of Nevada, Reno and majoring in Journalism, while minoring in Human Development and Family Studies. With the lessons I’ve learned at camp, I plan on making sure youth has a seat at the table because if we utilize our voices and show that we can speak for ourselves, it will create a domino effect and show that youth are a lot more powerful than people think.

Marvin

After camp, I got involved in the community and became a member of Make the Road Nevada where I co-founded the Youth Power Project. I am using the leadership skills and knowledge I learned at camp to ensure the next generation of youth feel empowered and seen. Camp Anytown taught me to raise my voice and fight for what I believe. I am now using my voice and sharing my story to empower other youth to do the same.

Bryanna

Since attending Camp Anytown, I realized that all youth have a unique story and learning what people of color go through and deal with, and sharing my experience as a person of color was eye opening. Since my camp experience, I began attending Youth Power Project meetings which has helped expand my knowledge on issues related to social justice. I plan to use the skills I learned at camp in student council, link leaders, and flag football by showing them how much of an impact they can make and how to stand up for what you believe in.

Josie

When you let others choose your future – your future is in jeopardy. You have a voice, use it!

Jerome

Opened hearts, open hearts.

Gio

I never realized how much of life I was missing out on until I went to Camp Anytown. You will be accepted by the Anytown family no matter who you are. Truly a great experience.

Erin

Camp Anytown, where do I even start? It was an eye-opening, life-changing experience that will be seared into my memory forever. At this point, youth have grown accustomed, impassive even, to how the world works. Camp Anytown liberates its delegates from closed mindsets—mindsets that were formed because of years of opinions that were imposed upon us. Because of Camp Anytown, we are now alert of the problems that plague our society. And we will no longer stand idly by.

Devene

Following my experience as a delegate at Camp Anytown, I cofounded the Youth Power Project and have used the knowledge I obtained to recognize issues and make change in my community. My time as a delegate introduced me to people whose lives differ from mine. Through the Anytown curriculum I was educated on the hardships people of other identities face. Camp Anytown was not only an informative experience but transformative as well. As I approach my senior year of high school I plan to apply the lessons learned at camp to my future endeavors.

Abe

Camp Anytown isn’t just a camp, it’s a way of life. It taught me that we are stronger united. Anytown is a place that showed me self acceptance and self love and it created an environment where we embraced one another’s uniqueness. Camp Anytown isn’t just a camp, it’s home.

Sierra

After attending Camp Anytown, I began getting involved with my community and became a member of Make the Road Nevada and co-founded the Youth Power Project. I’ve also had the opportunity to visit Carson City, NV multiple times to lobby my legislatures on issues I deeply care about and attended the People’s Convention in Detroit, MI. From my experience at Camp Anytown, I’ve learned that it’s okay to be myself and that not only my voice and ideas matter but our voices matter because we are the future.

Mahoghany

Attending Camp Anytown had a major impact on my life. Seeing people my age in leadership roles not only boosted my confidence, but also inspired me to become more involved in my community. I was also able to learn about different cultures, religions, sexual orientations, and how to become an ally for them. I’ve learned how to have productive conversations about hard topics with my peers and how to speak up in difficult situations.

Marcos

Camp Anytown taught me that to be the future, you have to stop living in the past. They showed me to be a trailblazer and blaze my own path. They created an environment that helped me understand every concept they were teaching. They showed me that Camp Anytown is no camp at all, Camp Anytown is family. I live Anytown everyday correcting and checking those who need to be checked and showing kindness to those who have none in there life. I have checked myself and made sure I am doing the correct thing because a wise man one said ‘it’s about making a big deal out of little issues that make the biggest change’. I sincerely have changed since attending Camp Anytown and now it’s time for me and my family to change the world.

Skyylar

Camp has a space that I’ve never been able to replicate. I feel comfortable and loved and accepted every time I go. The people I’ve met have become my family. The opportunities have broadened my perspectives on life and the issues around me. I know more about my self because of camp and I’ve learned to open up to others after going.