Grades: 6th- 8th (Grade finishing in spring 2026)
Check in: Sunday, July 5; 5:30-6:30 pm
Check out: Tuesday, July 7; 7:00 pm
Our Gender Diverse Camp for middle-school gender-diverse youth focus on providing a “safe haven” where campers can explore their authentic selves without peer pressure or judgement. Our program combines traditional outdoor activities with intentional, affirming community-building to foster “queer joy” and personal growth.
Spend a few days in a supportive, relaxing environment while partaking in traditional camp activities such as lakefront, camp fires, arts and crafts, hiking, boating, and more! This camp starts with dinner on Sunday and stays through dinner on Tuesday!
Middle School Gender Diverse Camp and High School Gender Diverse Camp are held at the same time, but have separate program staff, counselors and lodging. They will do some activities and meals together.
Core Program Offerings Include:
- Affirming Housing: We offer all-gender cabins where campers are grouped by age rather than birth-assigned sex, allowing trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive youth to feel at home.
- Traditional Activities: Campers participate in classic summer activities such as hiking, swimming, archery, rock climbing, and arts and crafts.
- Identity-Specific Workshops: Specialized sessions may include gender exploration, social change workshops, or practical tutorials like safe chest binding.
- Privacy-First Facilities: Our High-quality programs prioritize individual privacy with gender-neutral washrooms and private changing areas to reduce anxiety and bullying.
Key Cultural Practices Include:
- Respect for Self-Identification: Our camp normalizes sharing names and pronouns during icebreakers and uses name tags that include pronouns.
- Inclusive Staffing: Our counselors represent a mix of genders and have undergone training in gender-affirming care and suicide prevention.
- Freedom of Expression: There is no gendered dress code, allowing youth to wear whatever makes them feel comfortable.
Add-On Options
Horseback Trail Ride: The horseback trail ride add-on offers an immersive experience where campers learn basic horsemanship skills and enjoy a guided ride through natural surroundings. The program provides a unique opportunity for campers to connect with patient, friendly “camp horses,” build confidence, and create lasting memories in an outdoor, screen-free environment.
Archery: The archery add-on provides campers with a chance to learn the fundamentals of target archery in a safe, controlled environment. The program begins with a strong emphasis on safety rules, range etiquette, and proper handling of equipment. Participants use beginner-friendly equipment like recurve bows, various arrow types (often fiberglass or aluminum with target points), arm guards, and finger tabs, provided by the camp. Archery is an excellent activity for building focus, patience, discipline, and self-confidence as campers see tangible improvement in their skills over the session.
Sample Schedule
- 8:15 am Cabin Clean Up/ Dress for Morning Rotations
- 8:30 am Breakfast/Morning Announcements
- 9:15am Morning Watch /Morning Program
- 10:30 am Morning Rotation 1 (leave at 11:20)
- 11:30 am Morning Rotation 2 (leave at 12:20)
- 12:30 pm Lunch
- 1:30 pm FOB
- 2:30 pm Waterfront
- 4:00 pm Camp Store/Change for Campers Choice
- 4:30 pm Camper Choice
- 6:00 pm Dinner
- 6:45 pm Evening Activity
- 8:00 pm Vespers
- 8:15 pm Snack
- 8:30 pm to the Dorms/Camper Chat
- 10:00 pm Lights Out
What to bring:
- Long Pants (long enough to reach the shoes!)
- Shorts, shirts
- Long Sleeved Shirt
- Bathing Suit
- Towels (2)
- Tennis Shoes (closed toe)
- Sandals
- Pillow
- Sleeping Bag and/or twin sheets
- Flashlight
- Book or quiet activity
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)
- Water Bottle
- Insect Repellent (should protect against mosquito’s and ticks)
- White (or light colored) 100% cotton shirt for tie dye.
- Camera