Camp Elso Incorporated

THE MISSION OF ELSO INCORPORATED IS TO TEACH AND FRAME STEAMED AND NATURE BASED EDUCATION THROUGH A LENS THAT CENTERS AND EVALUATES THE STORIES, WAYS OF KNOWING, INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, AND LIVED EXPERIENCES OF BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

STUDIO JUSTICESTUDIO JUSTICE ENABLES LEADERSHIP AND AGENCY FOR YOUTH TO USE DESIGN AS A TOOL FOR RACIAL JUSTICE. THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS, WE AIM TO EXPAND OUR YOUTHS STEAMED CAREER PATHWAYS TO INCLUDE THE PROFESSIONS IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, WHILE WIDENING THEIR EXPOSURE TO GREEN SECTOR CAREERS. THROUGH THIS VITAL OPPORTUNITY, PARTICIPANTS CAN FIND THEIR STEAM IDENTITIES AND LEARN ABOUT DESIGNING PUBLIC SPACES, THE POWER OF PLACE, AND HEALTH EQUITY FOR UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES.DESIGN COHORTSOUR 8-WEEK LONG COHORT IS DESIGNED AS A PAID ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR BLACK AND BROWN YOUTH TO LEARN ABOUT DESIGN AS A TOOL FOR RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. WORKSHOPS AND TOURS INCLUDE GUEST EDUCATORS FROM BLACK AND BROWN PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE AECD INDUSTRY AND GREEN SECTOR. THE COHORT CULMINATES IN VITAL VOICES, A PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF STUDENT DESIGNS PROJECTS PRESENTED TO OUR PANELISTS AND GUEST EDUCATORS. STUDIO JUSTICE OUTREACH EVENTSTHE YOUTH DESIGN FORUM IS A PAID OPPORTUNITY FOR BLACK & BROWN YOUTH IN 7TH12TH GRADE TO LEARN ABOUT THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS FOR GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, AND TO ENGAGE IN A RADICAL DESIGN WORKSHOP AND HANDS-ON CHALLENGE. AECD FIRMS SPONSOR THE PASSPORT TO DESIGN WHICH SHOWCASES THEIR URBAN DESIGN PROJECTS AND HIGHLIGHTS INFORMATION ON CAREER PATHWAYS INTO THE DESIGN INDUSTRY.INTRODUCE A GIRL TO ENGINEERING DAY (GIRLS DAY):IS AN INTRODUCTION TO THE FIELD OF ENGINEERING. THIS EVENT IS FOR GIRLS IN 2ND-8TH GRADE TO GAIN EXPOSURE INTO CAREER PATHWAYS IN ENGINEERING. THE EVENT INCLUDES SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS- WOMEN ENGINEERS, AND DIVERSE ENGINEERS AS VOLUNTEERS WHO LEAD THE FUN HANDS-ON DESIGN CHALLENGE.

WAYFINDERS DAY CAMP PROGRAM IS AN AFFINITY PROGRAM FOR BLACK AND BROWN IDENTIFIED YOUTH THAT IS EXPERIENTIAL, CULTURALLY RELEVANT,OUTDOOR AND NATURE BASED. YOUTH IN K-8TH GRADE LEARN TOPICS IN STEAM, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CULTURAL HISTORY. STEAMED (SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY-ENGINEERING-ART MATHEMATICS- ENVIRONMENT- DESIGN) ACTIVITIES ARE LED BY YOUNG ADULTS OF COLOR THAT WORK AS CAMP GUIDES. CAMP GUIDES GAIN VALUABLE EARLY CAREER EXPOSURE TO SUPPORT THEIR FUTURE SUCCESS WHILE DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS DURING PAID WORK AND TRAINING.

TAPPIN ROOTS BLACK NATURE EDUCATORS IS A COLLABORATIVE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM,WHERE BLACK, INDIGENOUS AND BROWN-LED COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS ARE CONVENED AS PARTNERS TO HOST A YEAR-LONG PAID INTERNSHIP FOR BLACK IDENTIFIED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. INTERNS EXPLORE CAREER PATHWAYS IN THE GREEN SECTOR, PARTICIPATE IN LEADERSHIP, CAREER/COLLEGE PREP, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUMS, NATURE BASED RESTORATION PROJECTS, ALL WHILE DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS THROUGH DIRECT SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE. COLLABORATION, COLLECTIVE NETWORK BUILDING, AND SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIP BASED PARTNERSHIPS BUILDS CAPACITY FOR BLACK, INDIGENOUS AND BROWN LED UNDER RESOURCED ORGANIZATIONS, WHILE BRINGING TOGETHER PROFESSIONALS AND YOUNG BLACK OREGONIANS CLOSER TO NATURE AND CULTURAL HISTORY.