Our Roots

Culture Jam is part of a global movement!

Culture Jam is based on the Creative Empowerment Model, developed by PYE (Partners for Youth Empowerment) founders Charlie Murphy and Peggy Taylor. https://partnersforyouth.org

The Creative Empowerment Model provides facilitators with the tools to transform any gathering into a Creative Community that engages and inspires everyone involved. The focuses of the model are: learning from difference, learning from nature, experiencing community, exploring your inner life and discovering ways to take action. We create a container in concentric circles of support with the Youth at the center. Charlie Murphy started the first Power of Hope camp in 1996, and the movement has continued to grow. In 2002 Culture Jam founder Leslie Scott brought Charlie and Peggy’s exciting youth work to the Oregon Country Fair, where we hosted our first 8-day immersive camp. Twenty-one years later, we are the largest philanthropic project of the Oregon Country Fair!

Camps based on PYE Power of Hope’s Creative Empowerment Model exist in Canada, British Columbia First Nations, the US (Washington State, Oregon, and California), Jamaica, Brazil, South Africa, Uganda, the UK, and India. And the movement is growing!

For 22 years we have been committed to creating a safe and inviting environment for youth to become inspired and activated. Thanks to Leslie Scott’s vision and Robin Bernardi’s stewardship, Culture Jam is thriving and continuing to be an asset for this global community of change-makers. Culture Jam’s current director is Jans Ingber.