Words by Dr. Kshamta Hunter and Caitlin Lichimo.
As climate anxiety becomes increasingly common among Canadian youth, it becomes progressively more important to learn how to build emotional resilience, foster peer connection, and explore hopeful pathways for change. To address this learning opportunity, the UBC Climate Justice & Leadership Camp was introduced via a collaboration between Edith Lando VLC, UBC Camps, UBC Wellbeing, UBC Sustainability Hub, UBC Climate Hub, and SDG Month. This five-day camp is designed to teach youth ages 13-18 about climate change while also processing the difficult emotions it can bring.
A week of building climate resilience and addressing challenging emotions in youth
During the most recent Climate Justice & Leadership Camp session in March 2025, twelve youth gathered at the UBC Botanical Garden for a week of exploring the climate crisis through educational workshops, art, community-building, and time in nature.
Throughout the week, the youth engaged with guest speakers who brought climate science and social justice together. These speakers explored how climate change impacts local and global communities differently, and how the intersections of race, class, and geography shape vulnerability and resilience.
In a workshop on biodiversity, youth learned how ecosystems are shifting and what local stewardship can look like in the face of these changes. Campers also explored how being in nature can soothe climate grief and foster a sense of connection with the Earth.
“After this camp, I feel like I can do something, even small things. For example, the carbon emission activity helped me understand how can I help the climate by not wasting electricity and natural resources.” - Camper
Exploring connections to the land through Indigenous Traditional Knowledge workshops
The camp also featured hands-on, land-based activities, where campers spent time outdoors in the UBC Botanical Gardens and forested trails.
One notable activity was a cedar weaving session led by Indigenous educator Rita Kompst from Musqueam Nation. This experience invited participants to connect with traditional knowledge and cultural teachings and allowed the campers to learn and reflect on the importance of reciprocal relationships with the land and the role of Indigenous leadership in climate solutions.
Learning at the intersection of scientific knowledge, emotional wellbeing
Offered as part of a research project on effective models of climate education, the camp illustrates what’s possible when learning is rooted in both scientific knowledge alongside emotional wellbeing and cultural connection. After a successful first year, the Climate Justice & Leadership Camp continues to help grow a generation of climate justice change makers.
“I feel both—hopeful and still a little worried. The camp made me realize how big the problem is but also showed me there are people working to make a difference.” - Camper
Registration is now open for the Summer 2025 Climate Justice & Leadership Camps
Ready to face the climate crisis head-on? Registration for the Summer 2025 Climate Justice & Leadership Camps is now open!
Two camp sessions are being offered for Summer 2025:
- July 21 – 25, 2025 (registration closes July 16)
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August 11 – 15, 2025 (registration closes August 6)
Spots fill up quickly - Register for the Summer 2025 Climate Justice & Leadership Camps today!