Design for Exponential Impact at Camp Earnest

Good People,

Welcome to our first weeklong course devoted to designing for exponential impact.

Immersed in nature and community, we'll explore the full expression of our design superpowers, with a goal of building a community of practice capable of significantly increasing our positive social and ecological impact.

This retreat is lead by co-founders of UX For Good, Jeff Leitner and Jason Ulaszek. Their organization aims to be the catalyst for impactful solutions to the world's most pressing issues, constantly pushing the boundaries of how design can create a more equitable, understanding, and humane society.

Retreat Objectives

• Gain an understanding of fundamental principles of design as applied to leverage points of impact. Through these we will unlock our own design superpowers, capable of multiplying positive impact by at least a factor of ten.
  
• Explore the until now unmanifested and untapped potential for reimagining economic, political and cultural systems, with an eye towards regenerating all life and creating contexts for widespread human flourishing.
  
• Learn surprising "hacks" for synergistic application of leverage, using existing institutions and practices of mutual aid.
  
• Create strategies and map out tactics for a roadmap of iterative design, leaping beyond our own "imagination fences" and living into "Third Horizon" possibilities.
  
• Develop plans, measurements and systems of mutual support that make resourced redesigns of our focus areas an inevitability.
  

By the end of the retreat, participants will have gained essential knowledge, skills, community and inspiration to attempt audacious projects capable of re-envisioning and remaking how our world operates.

Who Should Attend

This retreat is for people who are frustrated at the limited avenues and degrees of impact offered by legacy systems. This retreat is for pioneers who can see with great clarity the better world we know is possible. It is ideal for anyone ready to step into the exciting and often intimidating landscape of exponential impact and the exploration of genuinely new horizons.

Join us if this feels like you:

• Public servants and government officials who are hungry for a "blue sky" approach to serving their constituency's needs.
  
• Designers who have worked in philanthropy or academia and found their most audacious proposals sidelined again and again.
  
• Business leaders, entrepreneurs and other professionals who want to create products and services within frameworks aligned with their values.
  
• People who have or wish to develop clarity of vision for a world that works for all, and an abundant biosphere full of thriving and diverse life.
  

• Anyone who feels the ethical dissonance of old systems that are degrading ecological health and failing to provide widespread dignity or fulfillment.

Program Overview:

Section 1: Solving the Right Problem

Lesson 1: Turning the Telescope Around

Meaningful social change begins by immersing yourself in the lived experiences of those you aim to serve. Too often, solutions are designed from a comfortable distance by well-meaning outsiders who lack crucial context. The most powerful innovations emerge when we flip this dynamic—putting those closest to the challenge at the center of the design process and cultivating the skills to hear what they may not even know how to articulate. This approach isn't just more ethical; it consistently produces more effective and sustainable outcomes. To be clear, this isn't co-design—we're talking about something fundamentally different that puts the designer in service to those experiencing the problem.

Lesson 2: Distinguishing Plot from Location

Social change work often gets stuck thinking each field is completely unique, requiring designers to spend months or years becoming experts before they can contribute. This is a mistake. The truth is that most social problems share common patterns underneath their specific contexts. By learning to separate what's universal (the plot) from what's particular (the location), you'll be able to see the core issues more clearly and apply insights across different fields. This skill lets you get to the heart of a problem much faster, no matter what area of social change you're working in.

Lesson 3: Understanding What Everybody Else Is Doing

Before jumping to new solutions, we need to deeply understand what's already happening. This means taking the time to study how others define and attempt to solve the problem. By thoroughly exploring existing approaches, we uncover the unwritten rules and assumptions that constrain current thinking. This isn't just academic—it reveals both the blind spots that limit progress and the unexpected opportunities that others miss.

Lesson 4: The Power of Not Knowing Too Much

Experts often can't solve the problems they know the most about. Their deep knowledge comes bundled with rigid assumptions about what's possible and what isn't. You, with fresh eyes and fewer preconceptions, can spot opportunities they've been trained not to see. This is why disruptive innovation so rarely comes from industry veterans. There's actually a sweet spot of knowledge—just enough to understand the problem, but not so much that you're blinded by convention. You'll be surprised at how quickly you can reach this point and start seeing possibilities that have remained invisible to others. We'll share our practical technique for tapping into expert knowledge without getting trapped in their conventional thinking patterns.

Lesson 5: Building Bridges Between Worlds

The most powerful insights rarely come from within the field you're working in. They emerge when you create conceptual bridges between seemingly unrelated domains. These bridges reveal patterns that can be transported to your problem, instantly illuminating new possibilities. This is why the most innovative designers are constantly exploring diverse interests and making unexpected connections. By developing this skill of pattern recognition across fields, you'll generate insights that people immersed in the problem would never see on their own. Each of us has areas of expertise or passion where patterns are crystal clear to us—we'll explore how your unique interests can become a source of breakthrough ideas for social change, and we'll share some of our own favorite pattern sources.

Section 2: Designing the Right Solution

Lesson 6: Zeroing In on Behavior Change

Social change isn't about changing minds, shifting opinions, or even transforming systems—it's about changing behavior. Full stop. In this lesson, we'll focus on identifying the specific behaviors you need to influence, not the attitudes or beliefs behind them. And here's the crucial insight most change-makers miss: effective solutions target affirmative behaviors—things you want people to start doing, not stop doing. This might seem counterintuitive, especially when you're trying to address harmful behaviors, but focusing on the positive alternative just works better. We'll show you how to reframe any challenge in terms of concrete behaviors that people can adopt, not abandon.

Lesson 7: Riding the Horse in the Direction It's Going

Changing behavior is easiest when you work with people's existing tendencies, not against them. The most successful social innovations don't try to completely redirect people—they find ways to harness what people already want to do. When you try to get people to stop a behavior or learn something entirely new, you're fighting an uphill battle. Instead, we'll explore how to identify people's natural motivations and then gently reshape their existing behaviors toward better outcomes. This approach requires less effort from everyone involved and dramatically increases your chances of creating lasting change.

Lesson 8: Navigating the Adoption Curve

The adoption curve isn't just a business concept—it's a powerful tool for social change. Different people have different thresholds for trying something new, whether it's a product or a behavior. Some leap at the chance to be first, others need to see proof it works, and many won't budge until "everyone" is doing it. Understanding where your target audience falls on this curve completely changes your approach. We'll help you identify which segment of the curve offers the most potential for your specific challenge, and how to tailor your solution accordingly.

Lesson 9: Small Changes, Big Impact

When it comes to scale, people usually tell you to choose: aim small to ensure success or go big for maximum impact. Both miss the point. The real opportunity lies in finding small, precise changes that create ripple effects throughout the system. These leverage points exist in every situation but most people walk right past them. We'll show you how to spot these critical moments where a little effort produces huge results. This approach gives you the best of both worlds—changes that are actually doable but still create transformative outcomes.

Lesson 10: The Power of We Over Me

Social change, like everything else, has been drifting toward individualized solutions, but this approach misses something crucial. First, our biggest challenges are shared ones that can't be solved by people acting alone. Second, when we focus only on individuals, we waste the incredible power of social connections. People naturally look to each other for cues about what to do. When we design for groups instead of just individuals, we tap into this natural tendency instead of fighting against it. We'll show you how to create solutions where social dynamics do much of the work for you, where people influence each other toward positive change.

Section 3: Bringing the Solution to Life

Lesson 11: How Strategy Really Works

Strategy is probably the most overused, least understood concept across every field. In boardrooms and at nonprofits, in government offices and community organizations, everyone talks about strategy but almost nobody gets it right. This fundamental misunderstanding isn't just semantic—it's the reason so many social change efforts falter despite good intentions and hard work. We'll reveal what makes real strategy different from what most people are doing and show you how to develop strategic thinking that actually drives meaningful change.

Lesson 12: Three Pillars of Influence

Successful social change doesn't succeed on merit alone—it requires mastering the elements that actually move people to action. First, we'll unpack how compelling stories bypass intellectual defenses and rewire how people see the world, creating the space for change where pure information fails. Second, we'll tackle why packaging your ideas matters just as much as the ideas themselves, and how thoughtful presentation can make or break your solution's adoption. Finally, we'll show you how to develop metrics that not only measure progress but actively inspire commitment and excitement from stakeholders.

Lesson 13: Action First, Buy-in Later

Two radical ideas will transform how you launch your social change efforts. First, stop waiting for consensus or perfect conditions to start—just begin the work. We call this "Be the Congressman"—it's always easier to rally support around something real than something theoretical. People respond to momentum and results, not proposals and possibilities. Second, break free from the philanthropy trap. Dependency on foundations and donors creates unnecessary constraints and unstable funding. We'll explore how to leverage market forces and private sector mechanisms to fuel your work sustainably, without compromising your mission or constantly chasing the next grant.

Jason & Jeff

Meet your guides for this four-day journey: two people who routinely take on social challenges with ridiculously high stakes.

First, understand how serious Jason Ulaszek and Jeff Leitner are: They are currently helping to develop an international center for peace and humanity in Rwanda to bring that nation's experience in rebuilding society to the world. They're also transforming how people and institutions understand pediatric cancer, creating a tool to help parents navigate the awful first month. Their work has included partnering with the US State Department to design new models for international organizations and with the UN to determine the optimal sequence for solving the world's most pressing problems. And there are dozens of other projects like these.

Now that you know they're serious, here’s how they work: they're provocative, audacious, playful, and irrationally optimistic - including about the work we can do together in the woods and the change you can make in the world. Yes, even in the current political climate.

More detailed bios are below.

Registration:

Space is limited, so we encourage you to register early to secure your spot. To register or to learn more about the retreat, please sign up here on Eventbrite. If you have questions, you may contact us through our website at

https://www.campearnest.com

WHAT CAN YOU BRING?

Glad you asked.

This is the most beautiful weather of the year, spring, full of wildflowers, when our creek is usally running high. You'll want layers of loose clothing, as well as shoes you can easily slip on or off as you enter and leave Hilltop Hall.

Please bring your own water bottle and metal cup and reuse these all weekend. Reusing cups really helps cut down on dirty dishes.

Bring sunscreen, mosquito repellent, camping gear (if you choose this lodging option) and snacks or drinks you might like to share. We may travel uphill or downhill and weather can vary a lot. We are at 3,500 feet of elevation and it can be much hotter or cooler uphill or downhill from us.

We ask that you please carpool in as few vehicles as possible. Parking is limited. The drive is just 140 miles or about 2.5 hours from SF.

We encourage you to consider a visit to Yosemite National Park before or after this retreat. If you choose to go, please visit their web site and be sure to reserve an entry pass.

Please remember to be super fire safe while on our campus. We'll cover this and other essentials once you arrive at orientation in the Good People Lodge.

Over the last 20 years, Jeff's been working behind the scenes to help organizations bring their biggest ideas to life.

From the big names in government and business, to small, driven nonprofits and innovative institutions. It's never been just about growth for him; it's about stirring things up, challenging the status quo, and pushing boundaries.

Jeff has collaborated with leaders at the U.S. Department of State, Starbucks, NASA, Harvard Medical School, and TED, creating everything from the first doctorate in social innovation to new ways of supporting young democracies. He's worked with The GRAMMY Foundation, Panera, the OECD, and the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education, moving big ideas forward in areas like venture capital and civic leadership.

Jeff has been lucky enough to team up with hundreds of incredibly smart people — experts ready to tackle a wide range of challenges. Together, they've launched projects like Insight Labs and the award-winning UX for Good, diving into everything from the arts and healthcare to office culture and the law, always with a focus on social change and making a real difference.

Jeff served as Innovator in Residence at USC and Fellow at New America, where he helped launch a new approach to solving social problems and the right order for addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  His work has been featured in several books and notable publications, including Fast Company, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review. He's brought what he's learned to thousands of professionals, leadership teams, and students in talks, workshops and lectures at universities, including the Harvard Graduate School of Design and Stanford’s d. School.

Jeff lives in suburban Chicago with his wife, close to their daughter who's in graduate school. His family keeps him grounded and ready for the next challenge, reminding him of the difference one person can make.

Jason Ulaszek is an experience designer, activist, and entrepreneur. He's also a coach and teacher who loves collaborating with others to solve some of the toughest problems in the world.

Jason is the founder of Inzovu, a digital product and service design collective, and UX for Good, an award-winning social venture that leverages experience design to solve social challenges. He serves as a mentor and instructor at the Junto Institute and as an adjunct faculty at DePaul University.

Jason enjoys sharing his professional journey, perspective, and what he's learned along the way through speaking engagements and facilitating workshops at conferences and events around the world, both virtually and in-person.‍

OUR CHEF:

Eric Minnich is a Bay Area-based private chef with Michelin-level training, specializing in fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Eric has worked with acclaimed chefs like Traci Des Jardins and Michael Mina and helped open nationally recognized restaurants.

With a passion for innovation, he collaborates with food companies to refine their products and leads the creation of unique dining experiences. Eric’s approach to food is simple, elegant and ingredient-driven.

OUR MENUS:

Subject to change based on best ingredients at market and chef's whims.

Monday, June 23rd

Snacks -

Bodega Bay Smoked Salmon , Cream Cheese, Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Knoll Farms Carrot, Cauliflower Broccoli Crudité with Green Goddess, Hummus, Pita, Full Belly Farms Seasonal Vegetables

Cow Girl Creamery Mt. Tam and Hop Along Cheese Plate with Brazil Nuts and K&J Orchards Stone Fruit

Heirloom Gardens Cucumber, Spinach, and Celery Green Juice Shooters

Dinner -

County Line Little Gem Salad with Brokaw Farm's Avocado, Shaved Knoll Farms Carrots, Fennel, and Radish

Seared King Salmon with Blistered Summer Tomatoes, Eggplant, Peppers, Rancho Gordo White Beans, Watercress

Marshall Farms Honey and Vanilla Panna Cotta with Strauss Whipped Cream

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Tuesday, June 24th

Breakfast -

Sun dried Tomato, Spinach and Feta Frittata

Zuckerman Farms Crispy Yukon Gold Hash Browns

Journeyman Bustino Sausage and Heritage Bacon

Overnight Oats with Berries and Marshall Farms WildFlower Honey

Full Belly Farms Summer Melon Platter

Lunch -

Moroccan Couscous Salad with Zuckerman Farms Asparagus, Turmeric, Kalamata Olives, and Dirty Girl Dry Farm Tomatoes

Roasted Full Belly Farms Yellow Corn with Olive Oil, Summer Dirty Girl Tomatoes, and Herbs

Fully Belly Farms Summer Squash with Tahini and Zaatar

Lemon and Oregano Grilled Mary's Chicken with Salsa Verde

Assorted Cookie Platter

Dinner -

Summer Full Belly Farms Melon Salad with Feta, Queen Olives, Mint, and Wild Rocket Arugula

Zuckerman Farms Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes with Romesco Sauce

Charred County Line Farms Broccolini with Meyer Lemon and Roasted Garlic

Schmitz Ranch Flank Steak with Chimichurri

Dark Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Mousse and Crumbled Honey Roasted Peanuts

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Wednesday, June 25th

Breakfast -

Vital Farms Scrambled Eggs

Brokaw Farms Crispy Yukon Gold Hash Browns

Journeyman Bustino Sausage and Heritage Bacon

La Farine Bakery Brioche French Toast

Coconut and Chia Seed Pudding Cups

Frog Hollow Farms Stone Fruit Platter

Lunch -

Red Quinoa Salad with Edamame Beans, County Line Farms Little Gem Lettuce, Dirty Girl Farms Cherry Tomatoes and Roasted Beets

Zuckerman Farms Sliced Melon Platter

Roasted Dirty Girl Farm Red Beets and Wilted County Line Spinach

Knoll Farms Swiss Chard with Dirty Girl Farms Cherry Tomatoes

La Farine Sourdough Baguette Sandwich with Oven Roasted Diestel Turkey, Brokaw Farms Avocado, Dirty Girl Farms Heirloom Tomato, and County Line Farms Arugula

Assorted Cookie Platter

Dinner -

County Line Farms Mixed Green Salad with Shaved Fully Belly Farms Fennel, Carrots, and Radish with A Creamy Dirty Girl Green Garlic Dressing

Roasted Full Belly Farms Cauliflower with a Caper and Queen Olive Salsa Verde

All Star Organic Farms Summer Beans with Caramelized Shallots

Fogline Heirloom Brined Chicken with Meyer Lemon Butter Sauce and Wilted County Line Spinach

K&J Farms Stone Fruit Crumble with Strauss Whipped Cream

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Thursday, June 26th

Breakfast -

Vital Farms Scrambled Egg and Cheese Breakfast Burritos with Zuckerman Farms Yukon Gold Potatoes

Journeyman Bustino Sausage and Heritage Bacon

Buttermilk Pancakes with Warm Maple Syrup

Strauss Farms Greek Yogurt Parfaits with Swanton Farms Strawberries

Frog Hollow Farms Stone Fruit Platter

Lunch -

Greek Orzo Pasta Salad with Kalamata Olives, Feta Cheese, Dirty Girl Roasted Red Peppers

K&J Orchards Stone Fruit Salad with Strauss Greek Yogurt and Marshall Farms Honey Dressing

Hummus and Pita Bread Platter with Grilled Fully Belly Eggplant, Zucchini, and Peppers

Mary's Grilled Chicken with Locally Foraged Mushroom Ragout

Assorted Cookie Platter

Dinner -

Soba Noodle Salad with Knoll Farms Green Garlic, Dirty Girl Farms Broccoli and Cucumber with a Sesame Vinaigrette

Blistered All Star Organics Green Beans with Hodo Soy Tofu and Fermented Black Bean Sauce

Full Belly Farms Roasted Eggplant, Red Peppers with Rice Wine Vinaigrette and Hoisin

Japanese Koji Marinated Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Matcha & Madagascar Vanilla Rice Pudding

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Friday, June 27th

Breakfast -

Vital Farms Scrambled Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches

Buttermilk Biscuits and Journeyman Bustino Sausage Gravy

Fog Hollow Apricot and Poppy Seed Muffins

Strauss Farms Greek Yogurt Parfaits with K&J Stone Fruit

Full Belly Farms Melon Platter

Please email us at least 72 hours in advance if you have any dietary restrictions and we'll do our best to accommodate them.

OUR ITINERARY:

Monday

2:00pm Welcome Circle, Connection Exercises

Intention and expectation setting, getting to know each other.

3:00pm Session 1

5:00pm Wildcrafted Cocktails & Wild Foods Grazing Platters

6:30 Family style Dinner

8:30 Silent Disco or conversation by the fire pit on the lawn in front of the lodge

Tuesday

7:00 Tea and coffee available in lodge

8:00 Opening expectation setting in Hilltop Hall

9:00 Breakfast in lodge

10:00 Session 2

11:00 15 minute break

12:00 Session 3

1:00 Lunch in lodge

2:00 Time in nature

3:30 Session 4

4:30 Tea and coffee break

5:00 Session 5

6:30 Dinner in the lodge

7:30 Fireside stories of exponential change

8:30 Free time (hot tub and sauna)

Wednesday

7:00 Tea and coffee available in lodge

8:00 Meditation and yoga available in Hilltop Hall

9:00 Breakfast in lodge

10:00 Session 6

11:00 15 minute break

12:00 Session 7

1:00 Lunch in lodge

2:00 Time in nature

3:30 Session 8

4:30 Tea and coffee break

5:00 Session 9

6:30 Dinner in the lodge

7:30 Fireside stories of exponential change

8:30 Live music in the amphitheater

Thursday

7:00 Tea and coffee available in lodge

8:00 Meditation and yoga available in Hilltop Hall

9:00 Breakfast in lodge

10:00 Session 10

11:00 15 minute break

12:00 Session 11

1:00 Lunch in lodge

2:00 Time in nature

3:30 Session 12

4:30 Tea and coffee break

5:00 Session 13

6:30 Dinner in the lodge

7:30 Fireside stories of exponential change

8:30 Free time (hot tub and sauna)

Friday

7:00 Tea and coffee in lodge

8:00 Meditation and yoga available in Hilltop Hall

9:00 Breakfast in lodge

10:00 Session 14 (summation, action)

11:00 Break in nature

11:30 Session 15 (cohort planning)

1:00 Lunch

2:00 Closing circle and gratitude

SAFE ONWARD TRAVELS!