The Sandra Day O’Connor Institute inspires civic engagement in the South

The fifth in a series of segments compiled in collaboration between the Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) and Arizona PBS, this segment focuses on the topic of education.

CFA surveyed Arizonans about the kind of Arizona they wanted to see. The survey results revealed seven common values ​​Arizonans hold. CFA then dug deeper, looking for ways to take action to make Arizona more fair and equitable for everyone. One of the issues important to Arizonans is civics and how to get young people involved.

We checked out Camp O’Connor, hosted by the O’Connor Institute. It’s a free week-long camp for seventh and eighth graders. They spend the week learning how the government works.

From visits to the State Supreme Court, the Legislature, the Governor, and the Maricopa County Recorder’s Voting Center. Students also participate in a campaign that culminates in a convention to elect their Stars and Stripes Party candidate.

This segment followed the camp and a visit to the voting center and the tour they received from Recorder Richer. We heard from the campers about why this camp is so important and what they learned.