We are the ones we've been waiting for

To those considering Camp Wellstone – or who haven't heard of this great progressive idea – here's a recap of my recent experience.

As the day concluded, we should have been weary, yet we were as energetic as the day we met. We should have been ready to move on, yet none of us wanted to leave. We should have been exhausted, yet we were screaming at the top of our lungs.

Exchanging laughs, hugs, information and commitments, we planned to take what we had learned over the last two-and-a-half days and help shape a better future. A future built on the progressive values we all believe in.

Though our time at Camp Wellstone had ended, our work was only beginning.

If you're unfamiliar with Camp Wellstone, it is one of several training programs offered by Wellstone Action, a progressive training and leadership center started to honor the legacy of Sen. Paul Wellstone and his wife, Sheila, whose lives were tragically cut short in 2002. Those who worked closely with the Wellstones knew that there was no better way to memorialize their friends than to teach the next generation of progressives how to lead with the same compassion, character and drive found in Paul and Sheila. To that end, Wellstone Action has trained approximately 10,000 people nationwide.

At Camp Wellstone, trainers organize attendees along three lines: Those interested in running for office, those interested in working on a campaign and those interested in citizen activism. There are a few shared lectures - messaging, get out the vote, sustaining the movement - but, for the most part, participants work within each of the three tracks.

Trainers place an emphasis on hands-on experience incorporating the lessons taught throughout. For instance, my fellow citizen activists and I worked on pitching issues to our allies, forming action plans, volunteer recruitment, writing phone scripts, staging press events and lobbying decision-makers. The activities were fast-paced, pressure-packed opportunities for us to turn our teaching into practice.

Throughout the weekend, we were in the hands of extremely talented trainers. Progressive leaders with years of valuable experience. Progressive leaders who have worked directly with the Wellstones or who were inspired by their message. Progressive leaders who were interested in helping incubate the next generation of Wellstones. You could see how much they cared, how much they wanted to honor Paul and Sheila's legacy. They weren't simply teachers. They were role models.

If my Camp Wellstone experience was any indication of the future of the progressive movement, let me be the first to say that I'm very excited for what's to come. There, I met people of all ages, all ethnicities and all backgrounds. Old activists were there with a renewed spirit. New activists were there with new ideas and enthusiasm. Candidates found potential staffers. New leaders were inspired. We grew close as a group and vowed to stay in touch and work together. And I know we will.

At Camp Wellstone I found a lot of people not only concerned about the state of affairs, but also motivated to change it. Sure, a lot of us were angry about the war, the religious right, the loss of our rights. But we have also decided to use that fire in a positive way to fuel our attempts to change things. Each and every one of us has hope for the future. Now we're ready to turn that hope into a reality.

Personally, I feel very inspired. I left Camp Wellstone with many new friends, new ideas and a new sense of purpose. I plan on taking what I've learned and using it to work for the world I want to see. All in all, I would consider the extremely modest Camp Wellstone fee the best money I've ever spent. And if you go, you'll soon agree with me. I would also urge you to help support future Wellstone Action initiatives. There may be no better investment.

As we wrapped up a very productive weekend, we rose to our feet, clapping in unison. We looked around, impressed with the new friends and new leaders we met. We joined our trainers in shouting a message that has been lost in a sea of cynicism and malaise enabled by a conservative way of thinking that has divided America and set our nation drastically off course. A message that Paul and Sheila would have been proud of.

We are the ones we've been waiting for.

great idea

We are the ones we've been waiting for.

It's time to make a difference, and Camp Wellstone can help you do that. www.wellstone.org

Julie