HERE ARE SOME PICTURES AND VIDEOS FROM THE SOCIALIST SUMMER SCHOOL.  ENJOY!

Videos thanks to Activist Nation!  Learn more about Activist Nation at www.activistnation.net.

"Building a Progressive Majority" Plenary video

"Whose Labor Movement?" Workshop video

"Building an Organized Socialist Voice" Workshop video   

 

        "Building Progressive Majority Plenary"  "Building an Organized Socialist Voice" Workshop

By Subway

SUBWAY TRAVEL

Take the A / C / E / 1 / 2 / 3 / 7 / N / R / Q / W / S / B / D / F / V to Times Square / 42^nd Street

Exit at the corner of 42^nd St and 8^th Ave.

Walk north one block to 43^rd St.

Take a left on 43^rd St. Arrive at 310 W43rd St

From Penn Station: Take the A / C / E / 1 / 2 / 3 Uptown/Queens to Times Square / 42^nd Street. You can also walk north on 8^th Ave toward 35^th St to 43^rd Street and take a left to 310 W43rd.

From Port Authority: Walk North on 9^th Ave towards W 43^rd St.

Turn Right on W 43^rd St.

From Grand Central: Take the S / 7 Downtown to Times Square / 42^nd St.

TRANSPORTATION FROM ALL NEW YORK AIRPORTS

 

New York Airport Service Express Bus ($15)

(718) 875-8200

From All Airports

To Port Authority, Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station (45-65 min)

Every 15-30 minutes
6:15 AM - 10:10 PM

 

TRANSPORTATION FROM JFK AIRPORT

AirTrain JFK                Every 4-8 minutes, 6AM-11PM

                                    Every 12 minutes, 11PM-6AM

By Subway

AirTrain JFK ($5)

Connect to the A Train at Howard Beach Station ($2)

Uptown A to Times Square / 42^nd Street

 

By Long Island Rail Road

AirTrain JFK ($5)

Connect to the Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica Station ($7)

Direct to Penn Station (35 min)

Trans-Bridge Bus Line ($12)

1-800-962-9135

To Port Authority

Three trips daily:
3:30 PM
5:30 PM
7:00 PM

Super Shuttle Manhattan ($17 - $19)

1-800-258-3826
Shared door to door service
On Demand
24 hours

Airlink ($17)

1-877-599-8200 or 718-560-3900
Shared door to door service

On Demand
24 hours

TRANSPORTATION FROM LAGUARDIA AIRPORT

Take the M60 bus to Astoria Blvd

Take the N/W Train towards Manhattan to Times Square

 

Take the Q19B or Q33  bus to 74 Street-Broadway / Roosevelt Av

Transfer to the E, F, R, or V Train

Take the R Train towards Manhattan to Times Square

 

Take the E Train towards Manhattan to Times Square

 

Take the F/V Train towards Manhattan to Times Square

 

TRANSPORTATION FROM NEWARK AIRPORT

Newark AirTran (Free)                6 AM to 11 PM - Every 4-8 minutes

                                                11 PM to 6 AM - Every 12 minutes

 

By New Jersey Transit

AirTrain to New Jersey Transit ($5.50)

New Jersey Transit to Penn Station (30 min.)

By Amtrak

AirTrain to Amtrak ($40)

Amtrak to Penn Station (40 min)

 

Newark Airport Express Bus ($12)

(212) 964-6233 or (908) 354-3330

To Port Authority Bus Terminal (30-45 min)

Every 30 - 60 minutes

4:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Olympia Airport Express ($12)

(212) 964-6233 or (908) 354-3330

To 120 East 41st Street

Go east on E 41^st St towards Lexington Ave
Turn left onto Lexington Ave

Entrance near intersection of E 42^nd St and Lexington Ave.

Take the S / 7 to 42^nd St / Times Square

Exit near intersection of W 42^nd St and 8^th Ave

TRAIN AND BUS TRAVEL

 

BUSES/TRAINS FROM MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

www.amtrak.com

Arrives at Penn Station

 

www.greyhound.com/home.asp

Arrives at Port Authority

Limited arrivals at Church and Chambers

www.peterpanbus.com

Arrives at Port Authority

www.todaybus.com

  

BUSES FROM BOSTON

 

www.bostondeluxe.com

$30 Round-trip

Arrives at 32^nd St and Broadway

Subway entrance near intersection of 32^nd St and Broadway

Take the Uptown / Queens N / R / W / Q to Times Square / 42^nd St

Exit near intersection of W 42^nd St and 8^th Ave

www.fungwahbus.com

$15 One-way

Arrives at 139 Canal St

Go west on Canal St towards Manhattan Bridge

Subway entrance near intersection of Canal St and Centre St

Take the Uptown / Queens N / R / W / Q to Times Square / 42^nd St

Exit near intersection of W 42^nd St and 8^th Ave

 

BUSES FROM WASHINGTON DC

www.washny.com

$35 Round-trip

Arrives at 378 W. 34^th St.

(Leaves from 303 W. 34^th St.)

Walk east 1 block to Penn Station

Subway entrance near intersection of W 34^th St and 8^th Ave

Take the Uptown / Queens A / C / E / 1 / 2 / 3 to Times Square / 42^nd St

Exit near intersection of W 42^nd St and 8^th Ave

 

TRAVEL BY CAR

 

Directions to W 43^rd and 8^th Ave

From the New Jersey Turnpike

Head southwest on I-95 / New Jersey Turnpike S (toll road)

Take exit 12 toward Carteret / Rahway (partial toll road)

Keep left at the fork to continue toward Industrial Hwy / IndustrialRd and merge onto Industrail Hwy / Industrial Rd

Turn left at Salt Meadow Rd

Make a U-turn

Turn right at Industrial Hwy / Industrial Rd

Turn right onto Turnpike N ramp (partial roll)

Follow signs for Cars Only and merge onto I-95 N (partial toll)

Take exit 16E toward Lincoln Tunnel (partial toll)

Merge onto RT-495E [signs for Lincoln Tunnel / RT-495E] (partial toll)

Continue on I-495E / Lincoln Tunnel

Take exit on left toward I-495E / 42^nd St / RT-9A / All Points

Merge onto Dyer Ave

Turn right at W 42^nd St

Turn left at 8^th Ave

From the Governor John Davis Lodge Turnpike

Head west on I-95S (partial toll)

Take the Cross Bronx Expy / I-95S / I-678 S exit toward Geo Washington Bridge / Whitestone Bridge

Keep left at the fork to continue toward Cross Bronx Expy / I-95S and merge onto Cross Bronx Expy / I-95S

Take exit 1 to merge onto RT-9A S

Turn left at W 42^nd St [signs for W 42^nd St / I-495W / Lincoln Tun]

Turn left at 8^th Ave

From the George W. Bridge

Head east on George Washington Bridge / I-95N

Take exit 1 on left for H Hudson Pkwy S / RT-9A S

Merge onto RT-9A S

Turn left at W 42^nd St [signs for W 42^nd St / I-495W / Lincoln Tun]

Turn left at 8^th Ave

From Saw Mill Parkway

Head southwest on Saw Mill Pkwy S / Saw Mill River Pkwy S

Continue on Henry Hudson Pkwy (partial toll)
Continue on 12^th Ave / RT-9A S / West Side Hwy

Turn left at W 42^nd St [signs for W 42^nd St / I-495W / Lincoln Tun]

Turn left at 8^th Ave

Workshop Title	Topics
Building an Organized Socialist Voice: How to Start or Strengthen Your YDS Chapter	How to start a YDS chapter with a solid and diverse foundation.  Exercises and small groups
Allies in Struggle: Doing Coalition Work Right (Special Focus on Race)	What is an "ally"?  How can YDS chapters build with students of color?
Allies in Struggle: Doing Coalition Work Right (Special Focus on Gender)	What is an "ally" How can YDS be a good coalition partner is terms of gender.
Public Socialist Education: A Cornerstone of YDS Activism	How to conduct socialist education along with your coalition work
Capitalism 101	How does capitalism work and what's wrong with it?  How to refute common myths.
What Kind of Reforms Should We Fight For	Which reforms are better than others and shift power relationships? Emphasis on labor, racial justice, and voting rights.
Immigration and Capitalism	The Democratic Socialist perspective on immigration.  Discussing how capitalism fostering poor immigration conditions and what socialists can do to challenge the status quo.
Affirmative Action: What it is and Why Your Group Should Use it	How to diversify your chapter the right way, understand affirmative action, institutional racism and sexism, and confront "colorblind racism” and the new rhetoric of the right-wing.
YDS and the Anti-war Movement	Group discussions and brainstorms on our national and local peace work.  Focus on National  Youth Student Peace Coalition, Iraq, and Israel/Palestine.
YDS Fundamentals: Talking Democratic Socialism and YDS	What are our core beliefs?  How do we articulate them in short?  What is YDS' activism?  How do you talk up YDS in terms of ideology and activities.  Small groups and exercises.
YDS Fundamentals: Chums and Bums	Where does YDS stand on the spectrum of the left?  With other leftists: where we have common ground, where we break, and why YDS is the best choice for youth activism
Student Debt	The crisis of student debt is an issue face by increasing number of students and graduates.  How can we fight student debt as socialist activist?  What is our add-value compared to other youth activists on this issue.
Who's Labor Movement?	What organized role do socialists and progressives play in the labor movement?  What role do we play as socialist youth in building the labor movement of tomorrow?
Plenary
Building the Progressive Majority: Our Role in the 2008 Elections	A forum to review DSA's view on electoral politics & strategies for DSA, YDS, and the democratic Left for the upcoming 2008 elections.

Socialist Summer School 2007

Dates: Saturday and Sunday (8/11-12)
Location: Local 1199 310 W 43^rd St between 8^th and 9^th Ave [directions]

Click here for CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 

The political stakes are high as we approach 2008. This past spring showcased numerous heated battles within the American polity. The American Left, especially the youth, need a coherent and collective response to national divisions on issues such as the war in Iraq, education, and immigration. When the Left does unite in mass rallies and gatherings, however, it is often difficult for us share our respective ideas and beliefs - let alone get to know one another. For those reasons, and more, YDS is hosting a Socialist Summer School to join our student activism with our socialist values. Having a solid socialist foundation makes any progressive activist smarter and stronger. The Socialist Summer School is an excellent opportunity for young movement builders to get together and learn from one another while at the same time discovering new and different ways to organize and bring about positive change. With a smaller, more intimate setting, individual voices will carry greater weight and we can have a stronger flow of ideas. Don't pass up this invitation to a weekend of building not only the progressive movement, but friendships with the people who share your life-long commitment to social change.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP / FUNDRAISING / GETTING TO NEW YORK CITY:
People come to YDS conferences from all over the country. If you are coming from out of town, it is important to plan your trip as early as possible. We're committed to ensuring that everyone who wants to come to the Socialist Summer School is able to attend. We're offering travel scholarships and housing accommodations for those coming to NYC by plane, bus, car, or train (more info below), on a limited, first-come, first-served basis with preference given to YDS activists.  However, we highly recommend that you fundraise to help cover costs. Click here for great tips on travel planning, economizing and fundraising, from getting cheap plane tickets, hosting events to raise money, to hitting up your student government for funds. Please remember that plane tickets are typically cheaper the further in advance you purchase them and that Student Government Associations often require plenty of advance notice if you are requesting special funds from them. Do plan ahead!

YDS Fundraising Tips

CARPOOLING - NEED / OFFER RIDES TO NYC?
If you are within driving distance of New York City and are in need of a ride, let us know and we can check to see if others planning to attend in your area can offer you one. If you have extra space in your vehicle, please let us know. We encourage you to carpool to the conference with other friends and activists. There will be space on the on-line registration form to offer or request rides.

HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS IN NEW YORK CITY:
We are working to provide out-of-town conference goers with free housing.  If you live in New York City, or have friends/family that can house additional conference attendees, please notify us.  Here is a link to affordable hostels in NYC . YDS has obtained a discount rate for conference goers at the Chelsea Star Hotel, but conference goers must register on their own.   

REQUESTING HOUSING OR TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS:
You can request or offer housing assistance and/or travel scholarships once the on-line registration forms are available (by July 27^th). YDS has a limited budget to help subsidize travel costs. Preference is given to YDS members and those wanting to start YDS chapters. If you request a travel scholarship, please fill out the appropriate information on the registration form or contact us at the email address below with your details. We will respond to you shortly to let you know if your scholarships request has been granted and how much financial assistance YDS can provide.
 
REGISTRATION & COSTS:
Registration costs for the entire conference will be based on a sliding scale of $25-$50 (subject to change).  Special consideration for low-income individuals will be made with priority given to YDS members and those starting chapters.  On-line registration forms will be available by July 27^th.  Registration fees include conference materials, admission to all conference sessions, light breakfast and lunch Saturday and Sunday, and admission to Saturday night's party.

GREAT WAY TO END THE SUMMER!

The Socialist Summer School takes place on Saturday and Sunday, August 11^th and 12^th. Since it's the end of the summer, YDS members will have an opportunity to meet just before they return to their respective campuses.
 
QUESTIONS OR CONFERENCE IDEAS:
If you have any questions about the conference, please get in touch with the contact information provided below.  If you have ideas or suggestions you would like to propose to conference planners, if you would like to volunteer to help with preparations or to assist during the conference itself, don't hesitate to email or call us.

Join YDS at the United States Social Forum in Atlanta 6/27-7/1

The United States Social Forum is guaranteed to be an amazing event.  Thousands of people from all over the country and globe will come to discuss strategies, share ideas, and create networks that will build the foundation for a better world.  This gathering is a critical way opportunity for the American Left to join with and learn from international social movements.  For this reason, the Young Democratic Socialists and the Democratic Socialists of America will be participating.

YDS will not be a casual observer at the Social Forum; YDS and DSA have organized workshops and activities open to members and allies.  YDS, working with the National Youth and Student Peace Coalition, will be prioritizing youth participation in the Social Forum.  As young people we have the most at stake in the creation of a fairer and more sustainable world.  Join us at the Youth Tent, hosted by the Social Forum’s Youth Working Group, for fun events and group actions.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity.  Tell us if you are going, are interested in going, and/or want to be connected to our activities.  YDS members may be able to get free housing through the Atlanta DSA local.

Contact us at yds@dsausa.org for more information.