Camp ARYV takes on Climate Justice with Community Action

Yesterday, about 30 people, mostly youth participating in Camp ARYV, spent about 90 minutes picking up trash in the Madison Square Neighborhood.

Camp ARYV is a week-long camp for teenagers that provides opportunities for participants to learn about social justice and activism. This is the 3rd year that Camp ARYV has been in existence.

The theme for this year’s camp was Climate Justice. So, besides picking up trash on several streets in the Madison Square Neighborhood, some participants held signs, while other led chants, such as – “No Coal, No Oil, Keep it in the Soil.” 

In addition, some of the youth, based on what they had been learning in previous days, used bullhorns to share vital information that was Climate Justice related and specific to the 49507 zip code, which is where their action took place. Some of the bits of information that they shared were:

• The 49507 zip code area has the highest levels of lead in the city
• The 49507 zip code has the least amount of green space in Grand Rapids
• The 49507 zip code area has the fewest community gardens in the city
• The 49507 zip code area residents have the least amount of access to fresh produce in Grand Rapids
• The air quality in Grand Rapids in 2023 is the worst it has been in the past 15 years.

After the Camp ARYV Climate Justice Action, GRIID did a short interview with Marius, who has been part of the summer camp for all three years it has been around.