Building Bridges Camp
Building Bridges Camp, formerly known as Brotherhood Sisterhood camp has been in existence since 1965. It is the region’s most transformative program for high school youth who are looking to make the world a better place.
What: Opportunity for youth to discuss social justice topics in a safe and brave environment with high school students from across the region. We use interactive workshops, activities, and dialogues, as tools to learn and reflect. Our goal is to encourage students to be a change maker in their school and leaders in their communities.
When: 3-day residential camp offered in November and March.
Where: Pilgrim Pine Camp Center, Yucaipa, CA. Transportation provided.
Cost: The total cost per student is $150 which includes sleeping accommodations, meals, and transportation to and from the Camp.
How: Students attending a school without a specific camp recruiter, may apply using the online application. Please see below for the schools in which we have designated school recruiters.
Questions: Contact Serena Padilla, Director of Building Bridges for Youth programs at spadilla@cacej.org.
The application for CCEJ’s Building Bridges: Gender Justice Camp 2025 is officially open!
Camp Dates: Friday, November 7 - Sunday, November 9, 2025
Orientation (Zoom): October 29, 2025 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Who Can Apply: 9th - 12th grade students
Application Due: October 17, 2025 by 5:30 PM
Our application for our Building Bridges Camps can be filled out online - be on the lookout for when the application is live here!
Your school may have a designated school recruiter that you can connect with to learn more about the Camp experience and how to apply.
Please see the list of names below. *It is also important to notify your school Recruiter if you apply for Camp so that they can be aware of all youth attending from their schools.
If your school does not have a designated school recruiter feel free to apply online when the application is live.
2025 - 2026 School Recruiters:
Augustus Hawkins High School | Cynthia Castillo
Avalon High School (LBUSD) | Suyapa Villalvir & Melinda Clare
Browning High School (LBUSD) | Mariah Jaramillo & Tomika Romant
Cabrillo High School (LBUSD) | George Walton & Lauren Le
CAMS (LBUSD) | Linda Ramos
Downey High School | Mr. Zegarra & Tom Houtz
Esperanza Marquez High B Libra Academy | Thania Rodarte
Jordan High School (LBUSD) | Jules Gomez
Lakewood High School (LBUSD) | Ms. Whitaker
Long Beach Polytechnic High School (LBUSD) | Rob Shock & Jesse Quinteros
Mendez High School | Emily Grijalva
Millikan High School | Jeanette Sanchez
Options for Youth (High Desert – Palmdale & Lancaster) | Carla Rocha & Bernadette Grant
Redondo High School | Kitaro Takesue
Renaissance High School for the Arts (LBUSD) | Ryan Noble
Santa Monica High School | Jesse Barron
STEM Academy of Hollywood | Regine Rosas
Woodrow Wilson High School (LBUSD) | Marianne Drummond & Ted Hollister
Video production: Taizin Barnhardt, CCEJ Alumni, and current Youth Mentor for Building Bridges for Youth Programs.
“What is one word to describe Building Bridges Camp?”
We asked Building Bridges youth leaders, mentors, and staff to describe Building Bridges in one word. Hear their words.
Video production: Taizin Barnhardt, CCEJ Alumni, and current Youth Mentor for Building Bridges for Youth Programs.
“What do you love about Building Bridges Camp?”
We asked Building Bridges youth leaders, mentors, and staff what they love about Building Bridges Camp. Listen to their stories.
