Project RESPECT 2015 

WHAT IS PROJECT RESPECT?
Not your “typical summer camp”, Project RESPECT Youth Leadership Institute is a residential summer training program for youth in leadership skills, human relations, and diversity. Project RESPECT aims to foster an environment in which education, dialogue, and interaction among the participants (“Delegates”) results in increased self-esteem, mutual respect, understanding, and acceptance of all cultures, ethnic groups, faith/religions, and genders.

Project RESPECT is week-long intensive experience.  Youth go up to the campsite Sunday morning and return home Friday evening. Each camp serves 25-45 youth who are referred by their school counselor and/or teachers or a community agency that provides services to youth. Incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors from across Rhode Island and parts of Southern Massachusetts are eligible to participate. Camp participants reflect the  diverse make-up of our state so that youth have an opportunity to learn and grow from their experiences with others who may be different from themselves.

WHAT HAPPENS AT PROJECT RESPECT?
At Project RESPECT, young people become leaders in service to the RICJ mission: fighting bias, bigotry, and racism by promoting understanding between all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education. Through interactive games, workshops, and discussions, Delegates, along with staff members, explore the thoughts, opinions and experiences we all share on topics like prejudice,  discrimination, and hate.  Exercises operate on an interactive, emotional level that develops empathy, not just intellect. Through this dialogue, the Delegates are taken on a journey to create a model for an ideal community in which members not just tolerate, but celebrate each other's differences. Delegates are provided the opportunity to share cultural pride, personal talent, creative skills, and spiritual heritage. It is the goal of Project RESPECT to equip the Delegates with the knowledge and skills to transform their home communities into places where individual differences are seen as positive tools that bring people together instead of keeping them apart.

WHO'S THE RUNNING THE SHOW?
The Project RESPECT staff is made up of co-directors experienced in conducting Project RESPECT camps; adult advisors, community leaders with human relations and communications skills; and college and high school age counselors, Project RESPECT alumni who provide guidance and facilitate the week’s learning process. Each camp usually has a one-to-five ratio of trained adults to youth participants.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Well that depends. The total cost of Project RESPECT is $500.00. This fee includes transportation, meals, lodging, insurance, t-shirt, materials, and staffing. BUT, we never turn anyone away because they cannot afford the full fee. We ask that you pay as much as you can afford, or even pay in installments, but you coming to camp is a lot more important to us than turning a profit. With help from participants who can afford the full cost, and donations from others, we manage to provide scholarships to most everyone who requests it. 

I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS. WHO DO I CONTACT?
You can contact Christina Rivero, RICJ's Youth Program Director, at (401) 467-1717 ext. 103 or leadership@ricj.org. She's always more than happy to talk! 

Don't want to apply online? Email leadership@ricj.org with subject line "Requesting Project RESPECT 2015 Application" and we'll send you a copy of our paper application right away!