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Gay youth camp

Camp for LGBTQ+ Youth Gives Teens a Safe Place to Be Themselves

In a time where LGBTQ+ students are under constant ambush not just in their own schools, but by politicians in Lansing, more than Michigan LGBTQ+ youth found a community and a safe space to just be themselves in the Camp 4All Summer Camp program this summer.

Seven years ago, Equality Michigan’s Department of Victim Services partnered with a YMCA camp program when the director realized that not all kids and counselors were fully able to be themselves in the camp environment. “A lot of gay kids leave to camp, but not a lot of camps are fully accepting of gay kids. We put out to try to change that,” said Genny Maze, Victim Advocate at Equality Michigan. It took a full year of planning, organizing, and transforming some hearts and minds at the YMCA, but the following summer, the first Camp 4All was launched.

What happened that first summer was truly transformative, not just for campers but for the organizers and community leaders who put the camp together. The camp programming was centered around workshops for LGBTQ+ youth

It’s giving camp: LGBTQ summer programs let queer kids be kids

Miles Barnes, a transgender teen who is neurodivergent, has been to many summer camps, but he said that until , he never felt camp staffers could fully support him the way he needed. Strict schedules, 5 a.m. wake-up calls and a mandate that all campers participate in all activities triggered his anxiety and made him feel unheard. So in , when his mother floated the idea of Camp Lightbulb, one of more than a dozen summer camps across the country specifically for LGBTQ youths, Miles’ interest was piqued. 

Founded in by Puck Markham, Camp Lightbulb is a weeklong camp for LGBTQ youths ages 14 to Markham held the inaugural program in Provincetown, Massachusetts, because of the iconic beach town’s vibrant queer community and history of embracing LGBTQ people. He recalled thinking, “Well, if I can hold such a great moment here, just imagine how meaningful this could be for a kid.”

Later adding programs in Los Angeles and New York Municipality, Camp Lightbulb focuses on offering activities that enable teens to celebrate their identiti

DAY CAMPS, OVERNIGHT CAMPS
AND SUMMER PROGRAMS

CALIFORNIA

STEVE & KATE’S

When you trust kids, they trust themselves. Since , Steve & Kate’s has lay kids in impose of their retain learning experience. As they try, miss, and learn on their own, they learn to belief their own opinion and tackle the challenges of an ever-changing world with creativity and confidence.

Campers choose from a variety of activities in real-time, including sewing, stop-motion animation, music, coding, sports & rec, makers crafts, baking, & more. They'll resolve what they hope to do and for how long.

Just like everything else at Steve & Kate’s, kids will get to opt their lunch entree daily. Most of their meals show up from local vendors and are prepared just moments before lunch. They hurl in snacks and the occasional frozen treat to boot!

Families can buy as many days as they’d like and use them at any time. No weekly reservations are required–just show up! Or, if you need more concern, purchase a Summer Pass, which covers the whole season. If, for any reason, your plans change, the

Youth Camps

Rainbow Resource Centre is haughty to offer two subsidized summer camps for Two-Spirit, lesbian, same-sex attracted, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning (2SLGBTQ+) youthin Manitoba. Our camps construct confidence, create feelings of acceptance, and foster positive and unforgettable friendships. Camp Aurora and Energy Day Camp are building a generation of 2SLGBTQ+ youth who will be proud leaders.

Spirit Night Camp (ages )

Click here for more information about Spirit Time Camp
Camp Registrations are closed for

Camp Aurora (ages )

Click here for more information about Camp Aurora
Camp Registrations are closed for

Our Objectives

  1. To create safe(r) spaces by challenging all forms of discrimination such as homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, racism, sexism, classism, ableism, ageism, fatphobia, xenophobia and the ongoing impacts of colonization;
  2. To involve with and learn from positive role models and connect with 2SLGBTQ+ peers;
  3. To provide opportunities for campers to build new skills through experiential learning;
  4. To encourage group engagement, participation, and volunteerism;