This weekend in Fresno we collectively changed lives. Everyone was Respected, Empowered and Included.

Fresno, thank you for welcoming us into your community. We learned so much from you and are so grateful that you got so much out of the weekend. We did too. As Mike Bonin said in an email to the Camp Courage team this morning: "It is changing those creating it as much as it is changing those who are attending it."

The best way for those who were not there to get a feeling for Camp Courage Fresno is to hear directly from the participants and the facilitators. By and large the wonderful participants were from the Central Valley. The incredible trainers and facilitators came from all over CA (and even one person from NM) and were either Camp Courage or Camp Obama alumni.

The testimonials from the Campers are humbling and inspiring:

Camp Courage was definitely one of the greatest experiences of my life thus far. To reiterate what another participant said, it feels so good to finally be PROUD to live in Fresno.

One sentence conveys so much:

this was the best thing that has happend to me in my life and i will continue this movement in my life thank you

A Camp Courage Los Angeles Alumni wrote a fantastic blog post about his experience in Fresno. I highly recommend it as a great way to understand what it was like for someone coming from the coast to Fresno and getting as much out of it as the participants.

As I was sitting there, listening to these stories, not being able to keep the tears from welling - it hit me. I'm not here to facilitate. I'm here to learn. I'm hear to listen. I'm here to show these amazing people that they are not alone. They have truly been on the front lines, the real soldiers, facing hate in a town in which the residents are not ashamed to show it, actually proud of it, literally spitting it in their faces. I live in the cush bubble of LA where, if someone does hate me, they're not about to fling it in my face.

I knew so little. But I walked away knowing so much more. And not just that, I left with a greater since of community way beyond the Los Angeles city limits.

After these brave campers told their stories not just to their groups, but to the whole convention, the ice melted. These people, many of whom didn't know each other until this day, exposed their hearts and realized that they were not alone. They had a community that had shared experiences, not only from far away cities, but within their own neighborhoods. This was the turning point. The energy transformed from "caution" to "trust" and "community."

Over the course of two days, with campers driving miles and miles to return, with speakers like Cleve Jones and Dolores Fuerte of the union movement to add to the inspiration, with the Story of Us bringing everyone even closer together, with solid friendships between people who were recently strangers developing, with commitments to change and action being made, the sense of community building was tangible.

The recurring them of Camp Courage Fresno was, "I thought I was alone. Now I know I'm one of many, and I never have to feel that way again."

You really should go read it all over at Unite the Fight!

Here are few more testimonials from Campers:

By attending Camp Courage it brought up a promise I had made to myself: first I am from Cuba. I know ,first handed, what losing rights, feel like. As I flee my country I made myself a promise. "Never to let my rights be taken away from me again". Prop 8 outcome was like a slap in the face. Camp Courage woke up that promise that I had made to myself never to let my right be taken away again. With what I learn at Camp Courage and with the Army that we will form in unity in Fresno. Si SE PUEDE! Thank you all for an awakening!!!!!!!

Campers are already putting their new skills and power to work!

I needed what I learned about persuasion within 5 minutes of leaving the building - I was in the parking garage looking for my car! I finally got a phone call back from the owner of a Mexican restaurant where we are holding a gathering on the sidewalk. I was afraid to return that call - so I did it before I left the building and he called back before I got to my car. Turns out he is a supporter and just had some words of wisdom for me, welcomes us for our peaceful gathering next Thursday. House parties to follow - it's the second beginning for us - hearts of gold run through these mountain towns, it's just they're sometimes buried in the bedrock of conservatism.

Recruiting more people to the Equality Army:

I could not ahave conceived the power, the love, and the unity I experienced at Camp Courage! I have been talking about it since, and have already recruited a few LGBT supporters, as well as a few straight allies. You have lit the fire my friends, and it's up to us to keep the it stoked! Fight the good fight! With much love and gratitude.

We are never going to win equality without our straight allies like this Camper:

Camp Courage was one of the best experiences of my life thus far. The vulnerability I felt at first has now transformed into a clear sense of empowerment. I appreciated the recognition as a straight ally, not because I think we deserved it or anything silly like that, but because I wasn't initially sure of whether or not there was a place for me in this campaign, or if I would be wanted or needed, so the affirmation was really nice. My group facilitator, Jed, was truly a remarkable man with a quiet dignity that made me interested in everything he said. By the end of the two days I really felt a connection with my group members, and I cried all the way home just marveling at the extraordinary people I had the honor of sharing these two days with.

And this one:

The overall experience was life-changing and life-affirming. The stories of self were empowering and the guest speakers were inspiring. I was so nervous coming into things as I am a straight ally and wasn't sure the camp was for me. I became comfortable almost immediately and welcomed into my group with open arms. The trainers were well spoken and able to motivate the room.

Campers are on fire, ready to put in the tedious work that Cleve Jones talked about on Sunday:

The energy in the room was just amazing. The sense of empowerment and possibility for change because of the experience among the Campaign Courage staff and volunteers was the best!! I have come away filled with hope and a sense of direction. I no longer feel adrift with the knowledge that change must come but without a compass to direct me.

Sorry, these are too amazing not to share. Here is one more:

I loved the energy inspired by the common struggles we all have had. We all were determined to make a difference and every person in the room felt the urgency to become a part of something bigger. I always tell my students if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem and this weekend helped me see how I was being part of the problem. I plan to change that and become part of the solution from now on.

Thank you to every single person that made Camp Courage Fresno possible!

We all can't wait for Camp Courage San Diego April 18-19th!