FAQ

Youth participate in experiential learning activities and dialogue sessions designed to increase their understanding of human relations issues and create a community based on inclusion, trust, and mutual respect. Students that participate gain leadership and advocacy skills receive a certificate for 50 hours of leadership training/service. Student participants unanimously agreed in 2019 that the program provided the skills to help them identify issues and to work to make their school a more inclusive place: - 96% of participants Agree or Strongly Agree that "Anytown has increased my confidence as a leader.” - 98% of participants Agree or Strongly Agree that "When I return home I will be a leader among my peers." - 100% of participants Agree or Strongly Agree that "Anytown has increased my acceptance and tolerance of people who are different than me." - 100% of participants Agree or Strongly Agree that "When I return home I will educate my family & friends about the importance of respecting others who are different."

Anytown Leadership Camp will be held June 15th-21st, 2025.

Students ages 14-19 are eligible to attend Anytown; Incoming freshman are accepted if they will be at least 14 years of age by the start of camp. Current high-school seniors are eligible to apply. Students should be physically and emotionally capable of participating in an intense program that challenges them to discuss their experiences with, and attitudes about, human relations and social justice issues. Anytown encourages people of all racial, religious, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, class, cultural, physical ability, and other identity groups to apply.

Complete the Anytown Leadership Camp application on our website by clicking the link, filling out the application, and hitting the "submit" button. It's that easy! Once an application has been received, parents and guardians will receive information to submit their delegates registration fee(s).

Anytown delegate spots fill up FAST! The sooner you apply, the more-likely you are to secure your slot for 2025. We will accept applications until full and no later than June 1st, 2025. Payments and registration, whether full or with financial assistance, must be executed by June 1st, 2025.

A maximum of 75 participants attend each Anytown session. Participants are supported throughout the week by 25-30 volunteer camp staff members, allowing for a low participant to staff ratio.

The cost for Anytown includes lodging, meals, snacks, transportation to and from Mingus Mountain Camp & Retreat Center and camp memorabilia. - $560 Early Bird Discount: Register and pay in full by April 15th, 2025 - $585: Register and pay in full by May 15th, 2025 - $610: Register and pay in full AFTER May 15th, 2025

Yes! Through the support of our partners and donors, we are able to offer financial tuition assistance for campers who are unable to attend if the full cost of camp is a barrier. Interested applicants can fill out a financial aid application and an Anytown representative will be in touch with you. The full registration fee to attend Anytown Leadership Camp is $610.00. This includes 7 days & 6 nights of lodging, meals & snacks, daily programming and transportation to and from the camp site. All applicants, regardless of scholarship, are required to pay a minimum $25.00 deposit to reserve/ hold their slot at camp.

During the summer months, Anytown Leadership Camp employs highly educated, motivated volunteer staff to lead all aspects of summer camp. Camp staff include adults from diverse career backgrounds and Anytown alumni/ graduates. Our staff complete a rigorous application, interview and training process, and provide all necessary child abuse clearances and criminal background checks. Anytown also engages qualified college students and teens to serve as counselors at camp. These young adults are trained and mentored by Anytown staff and do not factor into our 1:5 staff to delegate ratio.

There will be a bus leaving from Phoenix on Sunday, June 15th, 2025. The exact location and time will be sent to you prior to that date. The bus will be return students back to Phoenix on Saturday, June 21st, 2025. Parents & guardians are responsible for dropping their delegate off at the student drop-off and pick-up site.

Once you register, we will give you a list of the basics. Be sure to bring enough clothes for 7 days & 6 nights. You will need shower shoes and closed-toe shoes. You must bring your own bedding (a sleeping bag works great), towels and toiletries.

One of the special programs during Anytown is “Culture & Faith Night” when we share and celebrate our diverse backgrounds with cultural singing, dancing, clothing, objects and customs. Delegates are encouraged to bring items from home that support Culture & Faith Night. Some examples are quinceanera dresses, native clothing and artifacts, menorahs, kepahs, pictures, music, quotes and readings. Songs and dances that are part of your culture are also very special to share at Anytown.

Anytown Leadership Camp is an immersive human relations program intentionally designed as a place where delegates and staff can unplug to connect with themselves and each other. Accordingly, cell phones are not allowed at camp. To ensure that cell phones are not a distraction and, to ensure all delegates are included within our activities and groups, cell phones will be collected at the start of camp and returned prior to getting on the bus to leave camp. Delegates will be unable to talk to their families while at Anytown, however, parents/guardians can reach the Anytown Director(s) in case of an emergency. Families are encouraged to check our social-media for regular updates. We will collect letters for delegates to receive at camp. Once the delegate has been accepted to attend ANYTOWN, we’ll provide families with an email address and emergency contact number.

One of Anytown’s primary goals is to build community through group interaction. Electronic items such as computers, TVs, electronic games, tablets, e-readers, or other such units will also be collected from delegates upon arrival and returned at the end of camp. Delegates are prohibited from bringing any of the following items to camp. The following list of prohibited items does not, and is not intended to, constitute the entire list of items for which discipline may be imposed: - Weapons, including ammunition - Knives, including personal pocket or camping knives - Archery gear - Tobacco products, including cigarettes and/or vape pens - Lighters, fireworks or explosives - Alcohol - Drugs - Pornography - Pets Should you elect to use personal gear at camp, including (but not limited to): sporting goods, books, or games, please note that we cannot be liable for damage or theft. Delegates may use personal musical instruments and sporting goods at the discretion of relevant program facilitators.

Anytown has a professional (nurse or paramedic) on staff at every camp session. The medical staff will who will speak with the student about any health issues and their medication schedule at the beginning of Anytown. The “release for administration of medication” section of the registration form must be filled out by a parent or guardian in order for Anytown Leadership Camp to administer medication at any time, for any reason. All medications must be received in the original prescription container with original date and instructions. Medications will be kept in staff medical kits if appropriate (epi-pens, inhalers, etc.) or in a locked medicine storage.

Everyone gets three big meals and snacks throughout the day. There is no need to bring additional money unless delegates would like to purchase items from the Mingus Mountain camp store.

Send us an e-mail at apply@anytownleadershipcamp.or or call (602) 529-5101