My Typical Day

My typical day

The majority of the time I am dedicating to this internship is in the form of executing the camps that we plan. Times outside of camp are sporadic in nature, one day I can be working on recruitment, while the next I can be writing curriculum. So, when I think of a typical day, it is easier to describe a typical day at camp.

A typical day at camp starts with breakfast as a group. All 80 delegates enjoy breakfast together in the campsite’s cafeteria. Then, we raise the American flag for the entire camp. The delegates then proceed to their first set of workshops. Workshops vary in size and curriculum. Some involve the entire camp while others are held in smaller groups. Around 4 workshops take place each day.

In addition to the structured workshops, parts of the day are spent in smaller discussion groups. Delegates reflect on their experience within these groups and enrich their understanding of the material we covered by discussing it with their peers. This also provides a more intimate setting where delegates can share their personal experiences with one another, reflecting how the topics relate to them personally.

A Diverse Community

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A Diverse Community 

In addition to the individual growth I experienced at camp. It also gave me a community to belong to which was unlike anything I had ever experienced. While at camp, you have life-changing conversations and open up to the other delegates about very personal experiences. Inevitably you become close friends with the other delegates who originally started out as strangers.

One of the core strategies of the camp is to bring together delegates from a variety of different backgrounds. So I ended up building close relationships with people who I would have otherwise not have had the opportunity to meet. It was a completely different setting than I was used to. Often times high school, work, and even church I was only exposed to people of a similar background than me. Anytown was the first time I connected with like-minded people who came from different backgrounds.

It only helped enrich the experience and added depth to our conversations. I was able to learn how other races and genders experienced prejudice from those who felt it first hand. It deepened my compassion for those groups even more since I was able to put faces to the struggle. My main objective during this internship is to enrich the experience for current delegates.

My initial experience as an Anytown Delegate

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My initial experience as an Anytown Delegate

I was first introduced to Anytown in high school. As a student leader,  I was eager to engage with any leadership development programs I could get into. What I found with Anytown though was much more profound than anything I could have hoped for. Ironically enough, I was not searching to have such a mind opening experience. I was just looking for another leadership experience.

What I found however, was much more. I was challenged to question my understanding of myself and my community. As a delegate, I confronted issues regarding stereotypes, disabilities, gender, occupations, faith and religion, body types, sexual orientation, class and privilege. The week was profound and life-changing, deepening my appreciation for others.

I was inspired to get deeper involved with the organization and help others have the same experience I did. The first step was to become a camp counselor that next year. Since then I have participated in 6 camps. Once I came to ASU I looked to be more involved so I worked out an internship role where I not only acted as a counselor but also had a hand in deepening the organization mission outside of camp.

Anytown Overview

The organization I am interning with is Anytown Leadership Camp. It is an Arizona non- profit, which aims as being a catalyst and facilitator of community change. The mission of Anytown is to celebrate diversity and reduce bias, bigotry and prejudice.

The camp accomplishes its mission by bringing young people of all races, cultures, religions and backgrounds together for a week.

Programming is done in an experiential, interactive and safe setting where all students are involved. Rather than employing a classroom or lecture environment, students experience structured curriculum where one exercise builds on another.

As an intern I am firstly responsible for the logistical aspects of executing the camp. I help in coordinating with vendors, planning curriculum and recruiting for the camp. The bulk of my job though is actually executing the curriculum during the camp’s duration. I work alongside other staff members to lead students through the experience. I also help the executive team strategize on the organizations growth.

Introduction

Hi everyone!

My name is Crispin Chavira Alvarez and I am a senior at Arizona State University majoring in Public Service and Public Policy. I am writing this blog to document my experience as an intern for Anytown Leadership Camp. The mission of Anytown is to celebrate diversity and reduce bias, bigotry and prejudice. 

The goals I hope to achieve through this internship are:

• Learn how a non-profit can act as a catalyst and facilitator of community change.

• Facilitate workshops that instill leadership skills within young people to foster inclusion and respect among all members of society. 

• Through community outreach, ensure that the organization has a healthy outlook for future growth.  

I have been interning with Anytown for a couple of years and aim to fulfill these goals by the end of my internship.