CAMDEN CONFERENCE: Education Programs
One of the greatest challenges of the 21st century is to prepare the next generation of citizens and policy leaders to face the complex challenges of the global community. The subtleties of multi-national issues can easily get lost in a world of oversimplification and 140-character bytes.
Whether engaging in dialogue, embracing the power of social media, or delving into relevant texts and videos — the Camden Conference and the program's dedicated teachers and professors orient students to their complex world through educational programs and partnerships. We promote critical thinking, raise awareness, and provide accurate information about important global issues.
Education programs of the Camden Conference are designed to promote knowledge, perspectives, and dialogue opportunities on world affairs with high school and college educators and their students. Academic courses are now offered in Maine high schools and colleges on the Camden Conference, which are linked to the rich resources from current and past Conference presentations.
HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Since 2015, our Camden Conference in the Classroom educational outreach program makes a difference in young people's lives by filling a major void in Maine high schools where there are no or limited curricula supporting the study of global and international issues. At a time when high schools are fiscally challenged and institutional resources are stretched, our CCC program provides a resource for students to explore what it means to live, work and learn in a global world, and to consider how their own lives and careers may contribute to international initiatives to promote peace, education, human betterment, and international understanding. The program has evolved and each year more schools in Maine are participating. The curricula are designed by each teacher within the guidelines of the school. These for-credit courses range from a full year’s course, to a theme or topic within an AP course, or to a mentored independent study.
- 33rd Annual Conference
- 11 Reknowned Speakers
- 4 Venues + Online
COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS
The college and university participation begins with the professors who devise their own curricula around the annual Conference theme. For many years, we have encouraged the participation of college and universities students and they continue to be a very vital part of our education program. In fact, we have had a number of students who started coming to the Conference in high school through the CCC program and continued attending in their college years. Whether they attend one year or multiple years, the students gain an appreciation of the dynamics and complexities in understanding and addressing global issues, and this background often gives them the insight and confidence to ask the best questions of our speakers.
- 33rd Annual Conference
2022 ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS!
The Camden Conference Education Committee is pleased to announce the winners of the annual Bill Taylor Award for essays related to the 2022 Conference, Europe: Challenged at Home and Abroad.
The winning essays are from Ruth Griffith of Piscataquis Community High School (First Prize), Thomas Lowell of Gould Academy (Second Prize), and Samantha Goodwin of Piscataquis Community High School and Burke MacLeay of Gould (co-winners of the Third Prize). Congratulations!
Participating High Schools
- Bonney Eagle High School
- Brewer School Dept.
- Edward Little High School, Auburn
- Gould Academy, Bethel
- Lewiston High School, Lewiston
- Maine Academy of Natural Sciences, Hinkley
- Oak HIll High School, Wales
- Oceanside High School, Rockland
- Orono High School, Orono
- Piscataquis Community Secondary School, Guilford
- Sanford High School
- Watershed School, Camden
Participating Colleges/Universities
- Bowdoin College
- University of Maine at Orono
- University of Maine at Augusta, Rockland Center
- University of Southern Maine
- University of Maine School of Policy and International Affairs
Latest Education News
Winners of this year’s Bill Taylor Essay Contest!
Congratulations to Hailey Gagnon of Brewer High School, Chris Pyle of Gould Academy, and Gabriel Christian Soctomah and Meriel Willey of Piscataquis Community High School for their award-winning essays based on the theme of the 2023 Camden Conference
Piscataquis Community High School and Gould Academy Students Win Camden Conference Essay Prizes
Ruth O. Griffith, a student at Piscataquis Community High School
Students from across Maine viewed Conference at UMO
On Saturday morning, February 26th, dozens of high school students