… My goal is to teach these kids about the social and environmental justice issues surrounding them and to motivate them to become agents of positive change on these issues… Lead Farmer Matt, Amir

David Fox loved summer camp when he was a kid. In fact, that love continued into his teen years when he eventually moved from camper to counselor. In addition to his feelings about camp, David also felt compelled to make the world a better place. It was while he was in college that he realized that there was a way he could combine both of these passions in one dynamic program. That program is Amir, which trains young adults, through the medium of gardening, to teach and inspire campers about ways to build a more just world and to relieve hunger and poverty.

While the program runs primarily in summer camps (there are 11 this summer) it has also been successful in faith communities and inner-city community centers. Anyone who has been to camp knows the power of experiential learning and Amir’s work is just that. The planning, planting and harvesting of a camp garden, under the leadership of the Amir-trained Lead Farmer, exposes campers to environmentalism, sustainable gardening, social justice, and so much more. The Garden to Pantry Initiative connects the camp to local food pantries and when crops are harvested they are turned over to the pantries. (Sometimes even after camp season ends and the harvest continues.)

Meeting David was a special experience. He is thoughtful and deeply committed to this model. The Good People Fund’s challenge grant was just what he needed to build a strong foundation for Amir.