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.

When knowledge gets dismissed and expertise gets written off, disinformation, conspiracy theories, and radicalizing contect finds room to grow. Social media accelerates this by shaping how young people understand themselves and the world, often before they've had a chance to figure out what they actually think.

We confront this by equipping scholars with the tools to navigate a complex digital landscape. Through media literacy and critical thinking education, they learn to evaluate sources, identify propaganda, and challenge misinformation with clarity and confidence.

Educate to Liberate Academy is a summer intensive for underserved high school students across Central Florida, designed to prepare the next generation of Critical THINKERS and SOCIAL IMPACT LEADERS.

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.

How do i apply?

Fill out this Google Form by May 22nd! https://forms.gle/TdvQVV6AHs1tf1GV7

Program Dates

July 2-6 2026

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. 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.

Application Timeline

Applications for the 2026 program will open in March 2026 and close on May 22, 2026.

After applying, selected applicants will be invited to participate in an interview.

After interviews, admissions decisions will be deliberated, and selected students will be notified of their acceptance by June 9, 2026. From there, details about logistics and payment of the program waiver will be shared, along with any pre-program preparation.

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, challenged, and shared in the digital age, including wrestling with how our digital consumption habits shape our identities and influence our views on race, gender, and community.
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, students will:

Strengthen their critical thinking and media literacy skills.
Develop greater self-reflection and self-awareness around how beliefs are shaped through media consumption.
Become more empowered to recognize and resist misinformation, propaganda, and harmful digital trends.
Grow in their ability to be ethical community leaders and stronger students, better prepared for college.
Gain a network of peers who also value learning, curiosity, and leadership.

Cost

E2LA is designed to be low-cost and accessible to low-income students. There will be a $75 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.