Thank you Mid-Hudson World Affairs Council!

Americans for Informed Democracy The president of AIDemocracy, Seth Green, was also the director of our camp The president of AIDemocracy, Seth Green, was also the director of our camp He, along with help from other counselors such as Courtney Matson and Carrie Schwartz, was able to put together this intellectually stimulating experience He, along with help from other counselors such as Courtney Matson and Carrie Schwartz, was able to put together this intellectually stimulating experience

Washington and Lee University All All of the students stayed on campus in the dorms at Washington and Lee University The The beautiful campus was also very open for games of ultimate frisbee or any other sport

Washington and Lee University We had complete access to the gym on campus, and we were also allowed to sign out and go into the surrounding town of Lexington, Virginia In Lexington, we enjoyed movies, restaurants, shopping, and a homemade ice cream parlor

In the other buildings on campus, optional classes were held for the students In the other buildings on campus, optional classes were held for the students These classes ranged from a belly dancing class, to more intellectual discussions, and even to a dance that was held for the students (but the counselors danced too) These classes ranged from a belly dancing class, to more intellectual discussions, and even to a dance that was held for the students (but the counselors danced too)

Lectures Our stimulating and intriguing lectures were given by some outstanding people Our stimulating and intriguing lectures were given by some outstanding people We had lecturers including Mark Rush (professor of politics and law at WNL), William B. Quandt (university professor of politics at UVA), Shah Mahmoud Hanifi (professor of history at JMU), Wright Doyle (director of the Global China Center), and Lisa Schirch (associate professor of peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University) We had lecturers including Mark Rush (professor of politics and law at WNL), William B. Quandt (university professor of politics at UVA), Shah Mahmoud Hanifi (professor of history at JMU), Wright Doyle (director of the Global China Center), and Lisa Schirch (associate professor of peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University)

Lectures continued These lectures ranged from topics of global citizenship, to crises in the Middle East, to the growing economic power of China, to women and their rights, to diseases in foreign countries, and to environmental consequences of our ever-advancing technology These lectures ranged from topics of global citizenship, to crises in the Middle East, to the growing economic power of China, to women and their rights, to diseases in foreign countries, and to environmental consequences of our ever-advancing technology Immediately after the lectures, precept groups would be held to discuss the topics addressed in the lecture. Students were also required to read passages from certain books and other reading materials, which were provided for us Immediately after the lectures, precept groups would be held to discuss the topics addressed in the lecture. Students were also required to read passages from certain books and other reading materials, which were provided for us Also, most of the lecturers would come and sit in on a precept group after their lecture, so we really got to connect with them one on one and truly understand the issues Also, most of the lecturers would come and sit in on a precept group after their lecture, so we really got to connect with them one on one and truly understand the issues

Independence day! While at camp, we went to the Virginia Military Institute for an incredible fireworks display, some great food, and to see some very cool hot air balloons

Washington D.C. Day! This was one of my favorite parts of camp. We took an entire day to travel to Washington D.C.! This was one of my favorite parts of camp. We took an entire day to travel to Washington D.C.!

D.C. continued While in Washington D.C., we went to the Atlantic Council where we had our campaigns judged in front of real members of the Atlantic Council While in Washington D.C., we went to the Atlantic Council where we had our campaigns judged in front of real members of the Atlantic Council We were given time on one day to form groups and create global campaigns that we felt would truly make a difference in our world We were given time on one day to form groups and create global campaigns that we felt would truly make a difference in our world The campaigns were judged on presentation, the crux of the campaign, and how realistic the campaigns were The campaigns were judged on presentation, the crux of the campaign, and how realistic the campaigns were The winning campaign was called S.A.S.S.Y. (Support a Self Sustaining Somalia YES) The winning campaign was called S.A.S.S.Y. (Support a Self Sustaining Somalia YES)

Workshops After lunch, our college or leadership workshops were held After lunch, our college or leadership workshops were held The students were divided up based on which track they had chosen prior to their arrival at camp: college readiness track or leadership development track The students were divided up based on which track they had chosen prior to their arrival at camp: college readiness track or leadership development track I chose the college readiness track, and found it to be very helpful I chose the college readiness track, and found it to be very helpful It gave me some SAT prep while also informing me about different types of schools, and how their size, location, and general majors may affect my decision to attend It gave me some SAT prep while also informing me about different types of schools, and how their size, location, and general majors may affect my decision to attend

Free time While our days were filled with many intellectual activities, we were also awarded one hour of free time each day, which most of us spent either going into town, or playing foosball While our days were filled with many intellectual activities, we were also awarded one hour of free time each day, which most of us spent either going into town, or playing foosball

Hunger Banquet During the 2 week camp, the counselors held a hunger banquet for the students to better understand the problem of hunger in our world During the 2 week camp, the counselors held a hunger banquet for the students to better understand the problem of hunger in our world The students were divided up based on the percentages of poor, middle-class, and rich people worldwide The students were divided up based on the percentages of poor, middle-class, and rich people worldwide Luckily, I was rich, but it was obvious to see how many people suffer lack of food every day Luckily, I was rich, but it was obvious to see how many people suffer lack of food every day The counselors were somewhat surprised when the rich people defeated the purpose of the exercise and shared with everyone so that everyone had equal amounts of food The counselors were somewhat surprised when the rich people defeated the purpose of the exercise and shared with everyone so that everyone had equal amounts of food In this activity, the rich were given Domino’s pizza (in excess on purpose), soda, and apples In this activity, the rich were given Domino’s pizza (in excess on purpose), soda, and apples The middleclass people were given rice and beans, and the poor were only given rice The middleclass people were given rice and beans, and the poor were only given rice

Results of the camp At this camp, I made some outstanding friends, met people from other countries, heard many interesting points of view which I had not previously considered, and saw a new part of the United States At this camp, I made some outstanding friends, met people from other countries, heard many interesting points of view which I had not previously considered, and saw a new part of the United States I am very thankful to have been given this incredible opportunity to expand my mind, meet new people, and experience new things I am very thankful to have been given this incredible opportunity to expand my mind, meet new people, and experience new things