E2LA Summer Camp

Central Florida · Summer Intensive · Juniors and Seniors

Your feed is shaping you. Are you okay with that?

Every scroll, every trending topic, every viral opinion is an invisible hand pulling at how you see yourself and the world. Misinformation spreads fast and propaganda hides in plain sight. And a culture that dismisses knowledge and expertise (what researchers call anti-intellectualism) makes all of it worse.

We built E2LA to change that.

Think of it as a toolbox for your mind, four muscles you'll build and use for the rest of your life:

Critical Thinking
Spot weak arguments, faulty logic, and unstated assumptions, in the news, in ads, in arguments with your friends.

Media Literacy
Tell the difference between fact and fiction. Learn to consume media critically instead of on autopilot.

Responsible Digital Citizenship
Understand how algorithms shape what you see and believe. Recognize the pipelines that pull people toward radicalization before they notice it happening.

Civic Discourse

Get comfortable going deep instead of staying surface-level. Navigate debate and hard conversations without losing your footing.

For five days, you'll live on a college campus with a group of other sharp, curious people your age and put these four tools to work!

What is E2LA?

Educate to Liberate Academy (E2LA) is a residential summer camp in Orlando, Florida. Over five transformative days, students engage in immersive workshops, collaborative projects, and dynamic discussions that sharpen their critical thinking, strengthen their media literacy, and empower them to become responsible digital citizens.

Program Dates/How do i apply?

Our inaugural program ran July 2 through July 6, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.

Applications for our 2027 program are not yet open. Check back in January 2027 for dates and details.

Who is eligible to apply?

E2LA is open to high school students who will be rising juniors through rising seniors at the time of the program. Strong preference is given to students who are first-generation college-bound and/or qualify for free or reduced lunch. Applicants must live in Central Florida, but students from other parts of Florida may be considered if they can arrange their own transportation to and from the program. Please note: E2LA does not cover the cost of transportation to or from the program.

What do participants do?

During E2LA, students:

Build core skills in media literacy, critical thinking, and responsible digital citizenship.
Work on collaborative projects, give presentations, and engage in structured debates.
Participate in meaningful dialogue and reflection about how ideas are shaped in the digital age, including wrestling with how our digital consumption habits shape our identities and influence our views on race, gender, and politics.
Connect with peers in a supportive residential environment, building lasting friendships and a strong sense of community.

What will I get out of E2LA?

By participating in E2LA, you will be able to:

Learn how to ask evaluate ideas critically and form your own opinions instead of simply following the crowd.
Build the skills to recognize fake news, disinformation, misleading statistics, propaganda, biased sources, and social media algorithms that shape what you see and believe.
Strengthen your critical thinking by learning how to build evidence-based arguments, identify logical fallacies, and solve problems using reason instead of emotion.
Become a stronger leader in your community by modeling respectful dialogue and using your voice to make a meaningful impact at school and beyond.
Gain the knowledge to confidently navigate higher education.

Cost

E2LA is designed to be low-cost and accessible to low-income students. There will be a $100 program fee, with fee waivers available in some circumstances.

Alumni Network

Participation in E2LA does not end with the summer. Students will join an alumni network where they can receive continued support, including year-round virtual and in-person programming, as well as guidance for seniors navigating the college application process.

Alumni will also have the opportunity to become Media Literacy Fellows, where they receive training, mentorship, and ongoing support to serve as peer educators and lead media literacy workshops and events at their schools.