NOTE: The most UP TO DATE list for 2023 can be found here.
NOV 2021: This list, first published in 2015 and then updated annually since 2018, continues to be the main reason that folks land on my blog. (You can find the 2021 list here). Looking at my blog statistics and seeing that folks have searched “LGBTQ camps near me” or “gay camps for teens like me” brings me so much joy! I am glad that people have found this resource and I hope that you are able to find something that works for you or your family. I am happy to report that many camps that were on hiatus or virtual for 2021, are returning in person for 2022.
The list includes traditional week-long summer camps, 3-4 Day Retreats, themed camps (music, art, sports, spiritual), and camps for college students, families, and adults. For each camp, I have provided a synopsis, cost info, and dates when available.
As camps update their information about registration, dates, and prices over the next few months/next year, I will continue to edit the list. And as always, I welcome comments and emails letting me know about new camps or camps that I have somehow missed! (Or letting me know about broken links/typos/incorrect info. I do my best, but this is a mammoth document, and I make mistakes, and URLS change).
As some of my long-time readers know, I hope to one day add my own camp to this list. My dream is to organize an arts and theatre camp for LGBTQ youth on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Please be in touch (jessica dot vooris at gmail dot com) if you would be interested in supporting this kind of project or want to be on the contact list for your family/child! (Currently hoping to run a weekend retreat in Spring 2023).
Thank-you everyone who has emailed me about your camp over the years, it is exciting to watch this list continue to grow!
May 2022: WOW, I am very excited to be adding 4 new camps today, including camps in Indiana, Florida, California, and New York.
December 2022: The most UP TO DATE list for 2023 can be found here.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
3. Art, Music and Theatre Camps
7. Camps Outside of North America
9. Camps for children with LGBTQ Parents
10. Family Camps (For Parents and Children to Attend Together)
1.
WEEK-LONG SUMMER CAMPS (both day and overnight).
Camp Aranu’tiq (now called Harbor Camp) is for trans and gender-variant youth aged 8-15 years. Unfortunately, due to so much interest, as of 2018 new campers can only enroll from age 8-13. Fourteen and 15 year olds must be returners–note that family camp counts as “returning.”
They also started a camp program for counselors in training, which replaces their “leadership camp” for 16-18 year olds, and they host two family weekends in the fall, Labor Day Weekend and the weekend before. They are located in New Hampshire, and have a beautiful 116 acres property on a lake! Camp activities include swimming, kayaking, arts and crafts, campfire songs, archery, Gaga (a form of dodgeball), drama, birdwatching, D & D, storytelling workshops, and more. They emphasize kids just being kids and having fun at a “traditional” camp, there are no formal conversations about gender/sexuality. Full Camp Cost for folks who can afford it: $1,195 per week. Subsidized rate (no questions asked): $825 per week. Scholarships available for folks who can’t afford the subsidized rate.
2022:
3 weeks: June 26-July 15th
2 weeks: July 17th-July 29th
1 week: July 31st-August 6th
Camp Beyond Binary: Upstate NY. “Camp Beyond Binary is an LGBTQ+ camp for youth ages 12-18 and staff who embrace the core values of Camp Beyond: justice, empathy, leadership, transformation, and belonging.” Cabins are all gender. COST: $800-1000 sliding scale. Additional scholarships available if need be.
2022 Dates: Sunday, August 7 through Friday August 12th, 2022
Camp Brave Trails. CA and MD. The first leadership camp for LGBTQ youth and allies (aged 12-20) in California, Camp Brave Trails had their first camp in 2015. They have sessions in California (where they just bought their own property!), and also host a session in western Maryland. Activities include a low ropes course, swimming, archery, culinary arts etc, along with workshops on activist storytelling, gender identity and expression, body image and self-esteem, Lgbtq history, and drag make-up. The whole camp also participates in a day of service. This camp highlights the importance of leadership skills and learning about social justice. Select campers aged 18-20 will have the opportunity to participate in the Unicorn Justice League, building leadership skills and leading a few workshops. Brave Trails also hosts year-long programming for their campers, including Brave Space–once a month get togethers–and a mentoring program where youth are paired with an adult counselor/mentor for a year.
Cost: $2150 per session. Fundraising/Financial Support available. There is an $20 app fee.
2022 Dates:
SESSION 1 California: June 18-27, 2022
SESSION 2 California: July 2-11, 2022
SESSION 3 California: July 16-25, 2022
SESSION 4: California: July 30th-August 8th
SESSION 5 Maryland: August 19 – 28, 2022
Épanouie: Pasadena, California. A day-camp (10am-2 pm) for trans-feminine youth ages 10-12. Épanouie is 5 days, and youth will connect with others who have a similar gender journey to them, having a ton of fun playing indoor and outdoor games, making art, and engaging in team-building activities. Activities focus on increasing resilience, while also “providing youth with skills and information for body positivity and puberty awareness.” Organized through a collaboration between the Los Angeles Gender Center, the Institute for Girls’ Development, and the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Cost: early bird–$595 (till June 9th), then $625. Bring a friend discount of $50. Some partial scholarships available.
2022 Dates: July 11 – Friday, July 15, 2022
Camp FIERCE: California. Day camp. Camp FIERCE stands for Freedom of Identity and Expression Through Rainbow Community Empowerment. This is a “Day Camp for Rising 3rd-9th graders led by Rainbow Community Center Youth Program Staff and LGBTQI+ High School and Young Adult Counselors. Participants can expect to enter an affirming space and participate in a wide range of self expression, arts, and empowerment activities. Additionally, youth will engage with LGBTQI+ Queer Teaching Artists who will join our camp for specialized programming each week.” Cost: $450. Registration Form here and Discount form here.
Dates:
July 18-22- Rising 3rd-6th graders
July 25-29- Rising 6th-9th graders
Camp Fire/Camp Waluhili. Tulsa, OK. Alongside other programming, Camp Waluhili hosts an LGBTQ+ specific camp. “This camp is for youth of all genders, gender expressions, sexual and romantic orientations, and to the youth allies who support them.” Like many camps, youth engage in a variety of fun activities (which they decide on daily), and build strong friendships. Camp Fire has a strong commitment to diversity, especially around disability, and LGBTQ identities, as they want to make sure that every camper is able to come to camp! Cost: $385 per week. Limited camperships are available, but due to high demand, no full scholarships are available.
2022: Session 2: (LGBTQ2S+) June 19-24.
Indiana Youth Group Queer Camp: Hosted at Jameson Camp for queer youth ages 14-17. “Campers take part in all the fun you’d expect from an overnight summer camp! Daily activities include swimming, archery, art and crafts, rock climbing, sports, and more. Like Indiana Youth Group (IYG), Queer Camp is a safer space for young people who identify as queer to socialize, build community, and be themselves.” Cost is only $15 per youth. (Made possible by IYG fundraising, as a usual cost of one week at Jameson is $750).
2022 Dates: July 17-22 (currently registration is full, but they have a waitlist).
Camp Indigo: Oakland, CA, and Boulder, Colorado. (Two locations!) This day camp is organized by three different age groups, 4-12 year olds, 12-13 year olds, and 14-17 year olds. There are scholarships/financial aid available.
For the 4-12 year olds: “Camp Indigo follows a structured model of learning and play. Kids are grouped by age and rotate into art, science, maker, and outdoor play classes. Campers can interact and play across age groups at snack time, lunch, and during our all camp activities!”
Camp Indigo will be in Boulder this year, for the first time!
2022: TBA
Laurel Foundation’s Camp Mulberry: Bear Lake CA. FREE. One of the only free LGBTQ camps out there, sponsored by the Laurel Foundation which has been supporting and running free camps for youth with HIV/AIDS for the last 25 years, and in 2017 started a camp to support trans and gender nonconforming youth. Open for youth aged 10-17; provides a safe space for youth to be themselves and to be mentored by adult trans role models. See an article about the camp here. Again, it is FREE. (Funded through several big corporations including Wells Fargo, which I understand could be a sticking point for some folks). This year with covid, campers will be organized in small cabin groups with two counselors.
2022 Dates: TBA, in 2021 camp was held in August.
Camp Lightbulb. Provincetown. This camp “celebrates LGBTQ youth 14-17, and 18-20 with magical, overnight experiences.” They began in Provincetown, Massachusetts in 2011, and have also held camps in Los Angeles and NYC. Camp is always organized around six elements: “camp fun & art & the outdoors & community & well-being & service.” Camp Lightbulb also connects campers to the rich LGBTQ history and LGBTQ communities in each of the sites where their camps are held. Unlike many camps Camp Lightbulb is not completely cell-phone free, campers are allowed to use them at specific hours of the day, which may be considered a bonus for many campers and families. They also host virtual camps throughout the year, and weekend retreats. Cost for summer camp week: $1375. Cost for virtual camp: donation based, $20-50 suggested donation.
2022 dates:
Provincetown Week 1: July 3 – 9, 2022
Provincetown Week 2: July 10 – 16, 2022
Provincetown Week 3: July 17 – 23, 2022
New York City: July 24 – July 30, 2022
Los Angeles: July 31 – August 6, 2022
Camp Lilac. Ohio. A week-long camp for transgender and gender-diverse youth aged 12-17, organized through TransAction. The purpose of the camp is to provide a safe, nurturing, youth-led environment and participants can do a variety of traditional camp activities, including arts and crafts, high-ropes course, and archery, as well as trans-specific workshops.
2022 dates:
July 17-23 in Northeast Ohio
July 31 – August 6 in West Central Ohio
June 26 – July 2 Virtual For campers ages 12-17.
CampOUT: Ocala, Florida. A week-long camp for youth ages 10-17 from all aspects of the rainbow and LGBTQ+ community (including children of LGBTQ families, and allies). Camp “holds many components of your typical camp including canoes, archery, camp games, swimming, sports, arts & crafts, bonfires and more! What sets us apart from the rest is we focus on helping our campers do the most courageous thing possible, of being and loving their authentic self. Utilizing workshops, adventures, experiences, peer connections, and positive role models we can create an environment our youth can thrive.” Includes both gender-specific and gender-neutral cabins. COST: unsure, but limited scholarships available.
2022 Dates: July 17-23rd
Camp OutRight. Vermont. This is a week-long residential summer camp in Starksboro, Vermont for lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, queer, questioning, and allied youth aged 13-17. Youth aged 18-19 are encouraged to join the counselor in training program. Camp activities include traditional camp fun like archery, swimming, boating, tennis, as well as arts and theatre, and social justice related workshops. Cost: $625. There are a limited number of partial scholarships available for VT youth who are in financial need.
“Camp Outright is a unique program for LGBTQ+ youth that weaves together community, justice, and FUN! We are committed to this life-changing program – even as we navigate the realities of the COVID-19 panna cotta. This year, we are committed to providing safe, in person Camp – offering TWO distinct sessions for the first time ever! That means more joy, more laughter, and more room to breathe for LGBTQ+ youth than ever before. Heck yeah!”
2022 Dates: Session 1: July 1-7, Session 2: July 9 – 15, 2022.
Rainbow Camp: Arkansas. Diverse Youth for Social Change Camp for LGBTQ and Allied youth aged 13-22. This summer camp is a chance for young people to develop their leadership skills and build community. For more info email: CARLGBTQ@gmail.com.
Camp Rainbow Phoenix: PFLAG Durham, Ontario, Canada.For LGBTQ youth aged 13-17. “Youth Leadership Camp focuses on building and nurturing the leadership potential and personal resiliency of youth in an effort to help them become agents of positive social change in their schools, families, and communities. ” This camp is FREE, and is funded through donations from the community.
2022: TBA
Camp Speers YMCA LGBTQ Week: Outside Philly, PA in the Poconos Mountains. This camp is “for LGBTQ youth, allies, and children with LGBTQ parents, grades 7-12. This will be a safe space for all campers to have fun and participate in traditional camp activities while building confidence and focusing on the four YMCA values.”
NOTE: “**We apologize that in our initial registration form there are only two gender options. We are working with our registration system developers to have more gender-inclusive options. Please bear with us as we work to make our system as inclusive as we are.**”
Cost: $965, contact them for financial aid.
2022: June 26-July1st
Camp Talahi, with Transcending the Binary. Michigan, about 30 mins from Ann Arbor. Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth Camp. Ages 13-17. Spend a week in a supportive, relaxing environment while partaking in traditional camp activities such as lake front, camp fires, arts and crafts, hiking, boating, and more. Cost: $425-525 (3 tiered options).
2022: July 3rd-8th
Camp Ten Oaks: Canada. Two locations, one near Ottawa, and one closer to Toronto. This is a “sleep-away camp for children and youth ages 8-17 from LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, queer) identities, families and communities.” It is the first of its kind in Canada, and opened its doors in 2005. Activities at Camp Ten Oaks include sports, waterfront activities, hiking and nature exploration, as well as social justice discussions, and they believe in empowerment through play.
2022: July 31-August 6, 2022, and the second week of camp (CTO West) will take place August 24-30, 2022.
Camp Ten Trees. Pacific Northwest. This was one of the first camps for LGBTQ youth, and they have been on hiatus due to covid, although they are hoping to move to a virtual format soon.
Transcending Adolescent Camp: Central Florida. “Transcending Adolescence has created a summer camp program for transgender youth to have a safe space to connect with each other and receive support from a staff of trained camp counselors.” Ages 13-17. Cost is $1200.
Dates: June 26-July 1st
Camp True Colors. Willow River, Minnestoa. This camp is organized by One Heartland which serves youth of different social identities who may be navigating isolation/stigma in their lives. True Colors is their camp for LGBTQ youth and in 2022 they will host 4 separate sessions which they are very excited about! Camp activities include canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts and talent shows, as well as educational sessions on matters pertaining to the LGBT community. Cost: Sliding Scale: The lowest cost is $50.00 and the highest $1850.00. We do offer financial assistance to make camp affordable.
2022 Dates:
- Session One: June 19th-24th, All LGBTQIA+ youth, Ages 11-17
- Session 2- June 26th-July 8th, Specifically focused session for transgender/non-binary/gender-expansive youth, Ages 13-17
- Session 3- July 10th-July 15th, Specifically focused session for transgender/non-binary/gender-expansive youth, Ages 7-15
- Session 4- July 24th-August 5th, All LGBTQIA+ youth, Ages 7-17
Camp Unicorn: Pasadena, CA. A summer day camp (1pm-4 pm) for trans and gender non-conforming kids aged 6-10. Connect, create, empower! “Join others on a similar gender journey for four days of arts, crafts, games, and unicorn magic!” Includes a unicorn pop bake-off, face-painting, water balloons, and a magic show. Organized through a collaboration between the Los Angeles Gender Center, the Institute for Girls’ Development, and the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Cost: early bird: $360 (till June 1st), then $385. Bring a friend discount of $50. Some partial scholarships available.
2022: Tuesday, July 5 – Friday July 8, 2022
Welcome Friend Association’s Rainbow Camp:Summer camp located in Northern Ontario, Canada for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer questioning, 2 spirited, plus and Allied youth, their siblings and children in Queer families, aged 12-17. They also have a two week Leaders in Training program for youth 18-19. This camp includes traditional camp activities as well as workshops that focus on gender, sexuality, health, community, leadership, and creating safe spaces. This is one of the cheaper camps. Although it costs approximately $1000 per camper, cost is only $350, due to fundraising, and there are additional subsidies available and travel funds if needed. LIT: $500. (I assume these are Canadian dollars).
2022 Dates:
- Session A (ages 15-17): July 3-8
- Session B (ages 12-14): July 11-22
- Session C (ages 15-17): July 25-August 5
- Session D (ages 12-14): August 7-12
- Adventure Week (ages 15-18): August 14-21
- Leader in Training (ages 17-18): July 4-22 OR August 1-12
Camp YouthSeen: Colorado. A camp for LGBTQ teens on “61 acres that offer a mix of alpine, prairie, and riparian ecosystems. ” Camp provides a space for interdependence, friendship and community belonging, and campers are supervised by dedicated counselors who provide a safe space for youth to be themselves. Cost is $700 for the week, and scholarships are available.
2022 Dates: July 16th- July 23rd
Back to Table of Contents.
2.
WEEKEND/4-DAY CAMPS/RETREATS
ASPYRE Camp: Greensboro, NC. A Safer Place for Youth to Reach for Excellence (ASPYRE) Leadership Camp is for middle-school and high-school LGBTQ and allied students to learn how to make a difference in their schools and communities through team-building activities and presentations. Due to donations, cost is only $25 per student.
2022 Dates: October, date TBA
Camp Aurora: Manitoba, Canada. Hosted in Whiteshell Provincial Park, this is a weekend retreat for 2SLGBTQ+ youth aged 14-19. This is an inclusive environment for youth to themselves and feel supported, while doing the typical summer camp activities like canoeing, swimming, crafts, s’mores, a talent show, and more! Cost: unknown, but one of their goals is to support youth of different socio-economic backgrounds.
2022: Sunday August 14th to Wednesday August 17th.
Camp Dragonfly: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Camp Dragonfly is a summer camp for trans+, gender-creative and gender diverse kids, their siblings, and friends. Note that this is a day camp, not a sleep-away camp! Cost: $175 per kid, $350 cap for families sending more than one kiddo! If cost is a barrier, please get in touch.
Camp 2022: August 12-14th 2022.
Camp Eclipse: Newfoundland, Canada. “Camp Eclipse: OUT in the Woods”takes a strength based, harm-reduction, and solution focused approach to the issues faced by lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender (LBGTQ) youth,” and provides a space for youth to build relationships, find support and have fun! For youth 16-24, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Info from 2015: Cost is $400, youth and families are asked to pay what they can. Minimum $25. I am not sure this camp is still running, as all of the info dates to 2019.
Summer 2022: August 25th – 28th
Camp FYrefly.Canada. Founded in 2004. This camp is a 3-4 day educational, social and personal learning retreat with camp locations in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. They seek to honor the Indigenous land that the camps are located on, and acknowledge continuing colonial violence. They are open to Campers who are lesbian, gay. bissexual, trans*, genderqueer, non-binary, two-spirit, queer, questioning, pansexual, asexual, and allied youth between the ages of 14 and 24. “fYrefly is an acronym which stands for fostering, Youth, resilience, energy, fun, leadership, yeah!”
2022 Dates:
Overnight Camp: August 18 – 21, 2022, at the University of Regina
Overnight Camp: August 4-7, 2022, at the Trent University
Overnight Camp: August 28 – September 1, 2022, at Camp Chief Hector
Day Camp: July 26 – 29, 2022, at the University of Alberta
Camp Online: July 20 – 22, 2022, (option to stay connected July 26 – 29)
Camp OutDoors: Based in Phoenix and Prescot, AZ, USA. “Out of the Closet and Into the Woods.” This is a camp for LGBTQ youth aged 11-24, and is one of the biggest LGBTQ youth camps in the nation. They have a 5 day session for ages 11-17, and another one for ages 11-24. This camp is aimed at helping youth build leadership skills, work collaboratively, and create community. “Camp activities vary and evolve each year and range from educational workshops on topics like “LGBTQ History” and “Non- Violent Communication” to community activities like our 250 person drum circle, horseback riding, and zip-lining.” FREE to all. Youth are housed based on age, not gender or sexual orientation.
2022: November 18-20, 2022
Project Acorn (Camp Ten Oaks): Washington State, USA. ”a radical community-building space for youth aged 16-24 from LGBTQ+ identities, families, and communities. This 4 day retreat is full of workshops, urban camp-like activities, and connecting with other youth. Cost is $300, and there are subsidies available.
2022: Unknown if they will run in 2022.
P10/Project 10 Summer Camp: Montreal, Canada. P10 runs an annual bilingual weekend retreat in July which gives 2SLGBTQ+ youth aged 14-25 the chance to connect with each other, relax, and have fun in the woods! Activities include hiking, swimming, s’mores, a talent show, crafts, sports and more. In 2019 they hosted a staycation in Montreal instead, which included lots of adventures around the city. Cost $5-275 (Canadian dollars), sliding scale. In 2021, most groups have moved online, and I can’t find info about camp.
2022: Unknown if they will run in 2022.
Queer Wilderness Project: Boulder, Colorado, USA. This is a program of the Women’s Wilderness organization which runs programming for women and lgbtq + folks. In Fall 2020, they held two programs for queer youth ages 14-19. “The goal of Queer Wilderness is to create safe spaces for queer-identified people to enjoy the outdoors, learn skills, and connect with each other.”
In 2022: TBA
Camp Rainbow at Echo Pond, Newfoundland, Canada. For trans, gender-creative, and two spirit kids aged 7-15. (This is the youngest overnight camp I have seen). 3 days, in 2018 it was held in July. Cost is $100, and funds are available for those who need them. Siblings of kids under 10 are also able to apply, although trans/gender-creative kids will be prioritized. Kids will participate in traditional camp activities, and learn about gardening, solar power, and wind power. Camp provides a place for them to build confidence, make new friends, and have fun!
2022: This camp didn’t run in 2021, not sure if it will in 2022.
Sam and Devorah Foundation Retreat: Berkshires, MA. USA. This organization hosts several different weekend retreats for trans youth, as well as leadership retreats for trans young adults. From a description of the 2018 retreat on their website: “[T]eens participated in support groups, yoga, educational workshops such as legal issues, and a gender journey session. Interspersed were recreational activities including a rope course, nature walks, art projects, and a giant campfire with singing, skits, and s’mores. A hairstylist was on hand giving participants gender-affirming haircuts. The counselors and teens spontaneously organized a drag make-up night as well as a late bunk night where teens were encouraged to ask the counselors anything and everything about being trans. Connections and friendships sprouted everywhere; a safe, caring and supportive community formed.”
Cost: Estimated $175-200. Full and partial scholarships available.
2022: October 21-23rd
Camp Unirondack’s QSA Retreat Upstate New York. A weekend for LGBTQ high-school students to connect and have fun, and talk about LGBTQ issues. $40 per person if accompanied by an adult adviser. $60 if coming as an individual. I learned about Camp Unirondack (A UU Camp/Conference Center)at the Tri-State Summer Camp Conference and their regular summer camp was one of the first in the country to offer gender-inclusive cabins, and their summer camp isn’t even an LGBTQ specific camp! They are awesome. They have many different kinds of programming, including a Queer-Youth weekend.
2022 Dates: Friday June 3, 5PM – Sunday June 5, 2PM
TYEF Youth Retreats: Weekend retreats in the summer and fall in a confidential New England location. TYEF retreats focus on providing a space for trans and gender non-conforming kids aged 7-17 (or till end of HS) to socialize, have fun, and participate in a variety of traditional camp activities like swimming, kayaking, archery, arts and more. Cost: $250 a camper, partial and full scholarships available.
2022: TBA–still not sure when they will host a camp due to covid.
The Youth Project:This camp is located in Nova Scotia and has three 4-day long camps. Note that you cannot attend both Coyote and Seahorse due to high-numbers of enrollment. 2021 Camp Will be Virtual.
Camp Coyote is for trans-identified and gender-questioning youth age 20 and under, providing a safe space and an opportunity to meet new ppl and engage in activities like “trans-health discussions, campfires, scavenger hunts, swimming, arts & crafts, resources, and more!” Dates: TBA
Camp Seahorse is for LGBTQ + identified youth aged 20 and under, providing a fun place to be free of homophobia. “Activities include: writing, arts & crafts, scavenger hunts, support & discussion groups, resources, campfires, ghost stories, swimming, and much more.” Dates: TBA
3.
MUSIC, ART AND THEATRE BASED CAMPS:
Iridescent Youth Circus: Toronto, CA. “IYC is a two-week program for LGBTQ2S+ youth ages 12-15. Throughout this immersive circus experience, participants will learn both aerial and ground circus from a variety of Queer and Trans artists, and work together to create a final show.
Our purpose is to support folks who may not feel as welcomed in traditional movement spaces. This includes queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming people, those experiencing mental illness, neurodivergent people, racialized folks, people with disabilities, and youth of all body sizes.” Thanks to funding this is FREE.
DATES: 12-5pm Monday to Friday, August 15th – August 26th
QORDS: Haw River Summit, North Carolina. “A Queer-Oriented Radical Days of Summer” A music and activism-oriented camp, open to queer and gender non-conforming youth or youth of (LGBTQQIA) families, aged 12-17.
For the third summer, camp will be virtual. “Campers will still be divided into two age groups 12-14 and 15-17 and will meet Monday, Wednesdays, and Friday. Unicorns, the younger group, will meet in the mornings to have band rehearsal and workshops with a QORDS counselor or a community member. Workshops can be about a variety of topics – activism, queer science history, or how to make a zine. Rainbows, the older group, meet in the afternoons and take the same workshop and have band rehearsals. In the evenings we all come together for movies, games, or other activities.”
2022: July 11th-22nd
Gender Generations: Victoria, BC, Canada. (Formerly known as the Trans Tipping Point). This is a biennial retreat organized by the Victoria Pride Society which allows trans youth to connect with other youth, and creatively express themselves. They managed to host a retreat just before the covid shut-down, and had two books come out in 2021. They are hosting their next retreat in October 2022!
Dates: October 28-30th, 2022!
4.
SPIRITUALITY-BASED Camps/Retreats:
The Dubois Center’s Rainbow Camp: Illinois. Started in 2015. A one day of fun activities, including swimming, horseback riding, archery, pontoon rides, and an end of the day BBQ. “DuBois Center is a place where everyone is welcomed as a child of God. Come experience camp in the beauty of God’s creation and have a whole lot of fun.Rainbow Camp is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer singles, couples, and families. Straight allies are welcome too.”Cost $40 for adult, $35 for child. Horseback Riding is extra, and there are some early bird rates available.
2022 Dates: Friday August 12, 2022 – Saturday August 13, 2022.
Keshet Teen Shabboton Gatherings For LGBTQ & ALLY TEENS.”Meet new friends, learn about LGBTQ organizing and identities, and celebrate Shabbat with a warm, vibrant community of LGBTQ and ally teens and adults.These peer-led Shabbaton weekends of learning, Jewish ritual, and community building are open to LGBTQ and ally Jewish teens grades 8-12.” Cost: $54 for food, lodging, programming, and group transport from select locations. Limited scholarships and air-travel help available.
Dates and Locations:
March 11th, 2022 – March 13th, 2022: Midwest
April 8th, 2022 – April 10th, 2022: East Coast
Machane Lev. This is one of the first Jewish camps in Canada for LGBTQ youth, or youth who come from LGBTQ families, and it was founded in 2018. It is for kids aged 8-16. Machane Lev means “Camp Heart.” “It’s a place where you can bring and be your whole heart. There are many ways to be Jewish. There are many ways to be family. There are many ways to be. You are valuable, and belong.” Camper Cost: $1000 CAD (scholarships available).
2022 Dates: Sunday August 21st to Sunday August 28th
The Naming Project: Minnesota. Camp for youth aged 14-18 (or who have completed 8th-12th grade) who want to explore gender and sexuality in relation to their spirituality. Typical camp activities of canoeing, swimming, campfire songs, hiking, along with bible study, worship and reflection time. This year The Naming Project is virtual only, and costs $75.
2022 Dates: July 17 – July 22, 2022
Pilgrim Lodge Camp Pride: Maine. Camp for LGBTQ youth and allies (entering 10-12th grade, and recent graduates). “Camp Pride exists as a space for us to explore our identities, our faiths, and ourselves, in addition to all the regular summer camp activities like swimming, hiking, boating, arts & crafting, and enjoying the beautiful shores of Lake Cobboseecontee. We are an interfaith camp hosted by Pilgrim Lodge, a camp of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC).” Atheists or youth of no faith are welcome to attend, but should understand that spirituality will be a frequent part of conversation. Campers are housed by age, not by gender. Cost: $495-650. Contact them about scholarships. For an article about their 2017 camp, go here.
2022 Dates: July 10th-16th, Sun to Sat
Spirit Pride Project: Texas.“Spirit Pride Project (SPP) exists to create a welcoming and safe community for youth and young adults of all sexual orientations and gender identities to experience and share spirituality, community and acceptance.”This camp is for LGBTQIA people, and children of LGBTQ people aged 12-30, applications are divided between 12-17 yr olds, and 18-30 year olds. Allies aged 14-25 are also welcome. Folks are housed according to age. Located in East/Central Texas, cost is $200 per camper, and they work with folks to make it possible for everyone to come.
2022 Dates: May 20-22, 2022
5.
SPORTS:
Able to Sail: Longmont, Colorado, 20 miles north of Denver. This camp focuses on building self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of empowerment through learning how to sail! They will have an LGBTQ week this summer, for any LGBTQ-identified folks aged 12-21. The cost is $355.
2022 Dates: July 11th-15th, and August 1-5th
Venture Out: New England and Pacific Northwest Trips. “Backpacking and Wilderness Trips for the Queer, Trans, and LGBTQ + Community.” Run for queer people, by queer people, supporting leadership development, creating a safe space for queer and trans people to be in the outdoors, with the added goal of supporting QPOC access to the outdoors. They include youth trips for kids aged 13-19 in New Hampshire, cost is $875 and includes food and equipment. Scholarships available! They also have adult trips (see adult camps below for more details) and a Family Camp for parents (see below “children and parents”).
For lesbian folks 21 + check out Lezathlon below.
Back to Table of Contents.
6.
POC-SPECIFIC CAMPS
Get Free: A Summer Program for Trans/Queer Youth of Color:This is a FREE summer program for trans and queer youth of color aged 16-21 in Oakland. “Get Free is a week-long artistic, intellectual, emotional and practical program for queer and trans youth of color that focuses on the inner work it takes to Get Free in a world where, for us—people who experience oppression based on race and queerness or transness—just surviving is a feat. Through writing, dreaming, screaming, owning up, and facing who we are, who we have been, and who we might become, we aim to start an emotional r/evolution that will reverberate throughout our lives and our communities.” Food and lodging provided. Travel funds also available.
2022: Unknown
7.
CAMPS OUTSIDE OF NORTH AMERICA:
Gendered Intelligence. Essex, UK. In 2018 they celebrated their tenth year anniversary. From their site: “We ran our 10th and 11th camps in July and August 2018. We celebrated by making camp supersized! Super Camp involved us taking 170 young trans and non-binary people aged 18-25 camping for 5 days and 4 nights…Alongside Super Camp we ran ran an 11 – 17 year olds camp for 35 young people, going for our usual 4 days and 3 nights.” In 2020, they held virtual camps due to covid.
2022 Dates:
Camp 1 – For 16-25 year olds
- Prep Day (in person in London): Saturday 25th of June
- Camp (outside London): Friday 22nd July – Monday 25th July
Camp 2 – For 11-17 year olds
- Prep Day (in person in London): Saturday 2nd July
- Camp (near London): Friday 12th August – Monday 15th August
Hojokamp: The Netherlands. A camp for LGBTQ + youth aged 13-25. I don’t speak Dutch, this site was suggested to me by a scholar I know from the Netherlands but here is what I was able to understand. Organized by Stichting Outway, this camp has existed since 2002. It is 6 days of different activities, including workshops. Cost: 189 euros. They also have Hojokamp 2.0, for previous attendees of Hojokamp. (Usually you can only attend Hojokamp once). HJK2.0 is a weekend retreat in April.
2022 Dates:
Week 1: August 6th-10th
Week 2: August 11-15th
HJK 2.0 April 15-18 2022
OASIS. near Barcelona, Spain. (website in Spanish). Their first camp was held in 2015, and their program has grown from 3 days to a week. They serve youth of diverse gender and sexual identities and expression. I can’t find information about age, but it seems to be teen/adolescent focused. They write that camp is a fun place to socialize with others like yourself, and includes workshops on different identities, comprehensive sex ed, arts and crafts, as well as workshops for parents. They also have sports activities, including kayaking and hiking, and performances by LGBTQ artists.
2022 Dates: Usually held in July
“OASIS ofrece espacios de encuentro y socialización para adolescentes con expresiones y identidades de género y sexualidades diversas. El proyecto se inició en julio del 2015 mediante un encuentro de tres días que tuvo lugar en Barcelona. La segunda edición seria una semana de colonias de verano…Durante los campamentos de verano se realizarán, entre otras, las siguientes actividades:
• Talleres con temáticas vinculadas a la diversidad sexual y de género:
Educación afectivo-sexual, autoestima, herramientas para afrontar el acoso escolar, video fórum, entre otros.
• Actividades deportivas y de naturaleza: gincana, kayak, excursiones.
• Actividades creativas y expresivas
• Concierto-espectáculo de artistas LGBT
• Encuentro con referentes positivos
• Espacios de expresión emocional
• Taller con las familias de los y las adolescentes.” (Oasis dossier)
Camp OUT. Australia, near Sydney. “We are a camp for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer (LGBTIQ), and sex and/or gender diverse teens, same-sex attracted, curious, and questioning teens aged 13-17.” Camp gives a chance for youth to hang out away from home and be themselves. There are lots of fun activities, including art, movie nights, music, and sports as well as workshops on coming out, dealing homophobia or transphobia, and how to be a good ally. I love that this camp is open about having a queer lens, rejecting the gender binary, and “helping campers to queer their ideas about the future.” They are also an anti-racist, anti-ableist, and feminist organization. Cost: suggested $200, on a sliding scale.
2022: TBA, in 2021 was held in September.
Inside Out Hui, Porirua, New Zealand. Shift is a “national hiu (gathering)” for youth of “minority sexes, sexualities, and genders!” It is for young people aged 15-20. “Hui is the Māori word for a gathering and we use it to mean an awesome gathering/queer camp! Our hui are usually held on a marae over a few days with awesome guest speakers, workshops, a talent show and all sorts of fun.” More info here. Cost is a suggested $100. Minimum $10, but folks can pay what they can.
2022 Dates: online this year over 19th-24th April.
8.
COLLEGE STUDENTS:
Camp Pride, is a camp organized through Campus Pride. This is a leadership academy for undergraduates (from 2 year, 4 year, HBCU, southern, religiously-affiliated and TCU colleges/universities, aged 18 +), with a social justice focus and emphasis on learning leadership and organizing skills.
From their 2022 announcement: “Campus Pride announces the 16th annual Camp Pride Summer Leadership Academy will be conducted online with a 4 Hour Day-Long LGBTQ+ Youth-led Broadcast called GLAMPING on Saturday, July 16, 2022. LGBTQ+ leaders will share about their work doing queer activism, host interviews, play music, share art/expression & foster social opps to build connections and community. In addition, Digital Camp Pride will include the Safe Space :: Building LGBTQ+ Inclusive Communities online training on Thursday, July 14, 2022 and the Stop the Hate :: Fight Hate on Campus online training on Friday, July 15, 2022. Both are optional and have separate registration. ”
T*Camp: An InterCampus Retreat for Trans/Genderqueer & Gender Questioning Students. Southern California. This is a 3-day retreat for college students from different campuses to discuss gender and learn from each other. Organizers are hopeful that this will be especially valuable to students who may not have many other trans/genderqueer/questioning students on their campus. Cost: $150.
2022 Dates: SoCal T-Camp – April 15-17, 2022 @ Pilgrim Pines Camp
9.
CHILDREN WITH LGBT PARENTS:
Camp Highlight: Located in Wernersville, PA at a 600-acre camp facility, founded in 2010. This is a week-long summer camp for children (8-15) of LGBT parents, where kids get to meet others like themselves, and build a strong support network. Campers are housed by age. The camp curriculum focuses on the “universal virtues of peace, respect, honesty, acceptance, unity, generosity, responsibility, courage, and cooperation.” Camp activities include hiking, swimming, fishing, mountain boarding, arts and crafts and more.
There is also a Camp Leadership Academy for kids aged 16-18 to learn social skills, and leadership skills. Teens will attend workshops, go on fieldtrips, and have independent time to explore camp. In 2018, Camp Highlight ran a Family Camp in April and October, see more details below. They also host a Winter Reunion each year. Registration opens in January for summer camp.
Cost per camper: (8-15) $1099, (aged 16-18), $1199.
2022 Dates: August 14 – August 21, 2022
Camp Ten Trees. Pacific Northwest. They have week-long summer camps for LGBTQA youth aged 13-17 and for youth and children (aged 8-17) of LGBT and non-traditional families, and also hold winter and fall weekend retreats. See website for dates. This camp is social justice-oriented, and along with the typical camp activities, the campers will engage in age-appropriate workshops that explore identity, oppression, social justice, and activism. 2022: TBA
Welcome Friend Association’s Rainbow Camp: Summer camp located in Northern Ontario for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer questioning, 2 spirited, plus and Allied youth, their siblings and children in Queer families, aged 12-17. They also have a two week Leaders in Training program for youth 18-19. This camp includes traditional camp activities as well as workshops that focus on gender, sexuality, health, community, leadership, and creating safe spaces. Although it costs approximately $1000 per camper, cost is only $350, due to fundraising, and there are additional subsidies available and travel funds if needed. LIT: $500.
2021 Dates:
Session A (ages 15-17): July 3-8
Session B (ages 12-14): July 11-22
Session C (ages 15-17): July 25-August 5
Session D (ages 12-14): August 7-12
Adventure Week (ages 15-18): August 14-21
Leader in Training (ages 17-18): July 4-22 OR August 1-1
10.
For FAMILIES AND CHILDREN to Attend Together
Camp Aranu’tiq is a part of Harbor camps, and hosts two family weekends for families of transgender and gender-non-conforming youth (Labor Day Weekend, and the weekend before Labor Day Weekend) as well as week-long overnight camps for kids 8-17.
Camp Brave Trails. California. In 2018 Brave Trails hosted their first family camp weekend for LGBTQ parents and their kids. There were yoga classes, parents-night off, hiking, arts and crafts, teen adventures, toddler town, family games and more! Cost: Adults (18+):$200.00, Older Youth (10-17):$145.00, Youth (4-9):$105.00, 3-Under: FREE!
Next Family Camp: MARCH 11-13, 2022
Gender Infinity has a Spring – Mother’s Day Weekend Camp in Texas for transgender, gender expansive kids and their families (May 10-12). Children under 12 can attend with their parents – children 12 and over can attend with or without their parents. All cabin counselors are transgender. Support groups and activities are also provided for parents. Camp was cancelled in 2020, and there are no 2021 or 2022 updates.
Camp Highlight: Located in Wernersville, PA at a 600-acre camp facility. Camp Highlight (for kids of LGBTQ families) hosted its first Family Camp in October 2018. Now the adults can enjoy the fun too! Adults are $210 and children ages 3 to 18 are $160. Children under 3 years old may attend for free. Optionally, families may pay $690 for the whole family.
2022 Dates: October 7 to October 10, 2022
Camp It Up!: Quincy, California. LGBT Family camp. Activities for adults, tweens, teens, and children. Swim or float in the lazy river, learn new specialty art skills, tie-dye, participate in the carnival, and more fun activities. Summer camp has 1-10 day sessions. Sliding scale fees, and there are different costs depending on age. See here. They celebrated their 25th year in 2014.
Summer 2022: July 20-24.
Keshet Camp: near Yosemite. Jewish LGBT Family camp, now celebrating over two decades of existence! A place where families can feel included and safe, and celebrate their commonalities. Keshet is Hebrew for Rainbow. Child-care available for all ages, allowing adults and children to participate in various activities like yoga, hiking, arts and crafts, S’mores, etc. Check out this great article about summer 2016.
2022 Dates: August 18 – 21, 2022
Oak Grove Family Camp (Camp Ten Oaks, Canada): “Oak Grove Family Camp is a weekend long, sleep-away camp for 2SLGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two spirit, and queer) families who have a child or youth aged 17 or under in their care (including both those who are headed by (a) 2SLGBTQ+ parent(s) and those with an 2SLGBTQ+ child).” Fees: $375 for adults (age 18+), $300 for children and youth (ages 4-17), and $75 for kids under age 3.
2021 Dates: Unknown.
Camp Out Camp: Southwest Michigan. This is the Midwest’s first and only lgbt family camp! They are all inclusive and have campers ranging in age from 2 months-65 years old! “At CampOut Family Camp, you define family. We are open to all families that identify with the LGBTQ community.” Held over the course of a weekend, activities include waterskiing, horseback riding, rock climbing, canoing, tennis and more. Also includes a petting zoo, which is awesome! Participants get to choose their own schedule and can focus on one activity in particular for a morning or afternoon, or can move to different activities over the course of the day. Childcare is also provided at particular times so that adults can have some child-free time together. Cost: fees are $325/adult and children 5 and up are $275. children under 5 are no charge.
2022 Dates: AUGUST 18TH – SUNDAY, AUGUST 21ST 2022
Provincetown Family Camp: Organized by the Family Equality Council and COLAGE, this is one of the biggest annual gatherings of LGBTQ-Identified families in the world. (It started in the 90s!) “Family Week will include more opportunities than ever to build community and to get empowered on today’s issues. Join us for daily events or relax on the beach with other LGBTQ families.” There are many different options for a variety of age groups.
2022 Dates: July 23–30, 2022.
Camp Talahi Retreat and Nature Center: Michigan, about 30 mins from Ann Arbor. Transgender Youth and Family Retreat. ” Participants will spend a relaxing and supportive weekend at Camp Talahi partaking in activities such as lake front, horse activities, camp fires, arts and crafts, hiking, boating, and more. Support groups will also be available. Youth must have adult with them.” Cost: Adults: $165-195, Youth: $65-95. Under fives free.
2022 Dates: Unknown
11.
Last but not least, a selection of CAMPS FOR ADULTS!
A-Camp: Started by Autostraddle, to create community, unplug, and have fun like a kid again. 5 nights, meals provided, lots of fun workshops, and special guest artists/singers. Held in Ojai, California. Camp is for women, (and always accepting of trans women), non-binary folks, and trans men. No cis men allowed. See FAQ. Age 18 +
A-Camp is taking a break for 2020-2022.
Camp Camp: Enjoy a traditional summer camp making new friends and playing like a kid again! 2020 will mark their 24th season, and the week-long camp will be held in Maine. Accommodations are based on gender (men’s cabin/women’s cabin, and one gender-neutral cabin). Each session has about 200-250 attendees, slightly more men than women (though they strive for 50/50), ages 21-70, though most are in their 40s, 80 percent singles. This is the perfect vacation for folks who like the outdoors, being active, and meeting new people! Cost: $1750 (Options for reducing fees by being staff are available, and there are a few campership funds to help reduce cost as well).
2022 Dates: august 21-28
Easton Mountain Retreats: New York. Easton Mountain is a “community, retreat, and sanctuary created by gay men.” They have programming for gay, bi, queer, and trans men throughout the year, with various themes, including weeks celebrating Thanksgiving, New Year, and Fall fun, as well as weeks for Bears, writers, folks in recovery, folks involved in Kink, and gay men of color. Dates and prices vary, see here for more details. [Including Virtual offerings in these covid-19 times]
Lezathlon: Summer athletic event for lesbians/womxn! Cis/trans womxn and non-binary folks can compete, all folks are welcome to be a spectator, and if you are a trans man who also really wants to compete, contact them and let them know and they will work out the details. This camp is about a love of sports and competition, and supporting womxn in Sports. You can sign up to be a spectator or a participant and there are several different passes available, including day passes. Packages include housing (cabins and yurts), transport, and food. Must be 21 + to attend. ”
2022 Dates: Unknown, 2021 was cancelled due to covid
Camp Lost Boys: Cleveland, GA. A camp for Men of Trans Experience to celebrate male/masculine identities in an outdoor space. This is not workshop based or academic, it is about having fun in the outdoors! Get the chance to experience a boyhood you may not have been able to experience. Cost: $475-780 (depends on whether you are in a shared cabin or private room). Note that while there are many ways to be male/a man, this is for male/men-identified folks only, and is not a space for non-binary identified folks. “If you feel you do not identify as male or a man, this may not be the experience you are looking for and we would hate for you to be uncomfortable. There are other camps that exist and are open to a more non-binary experience of gender and we are happy to point you in that direction. ” This camp is organized in part by men of color who are paying attention to race/inclusion, and over half of the attendees the first year were men of color.
Next Camp: May 20-23rd 2022
Venture Out: New England and Pacific Northwest Trips. “Backpacking and Wilderness Trips for the Queer, Trans, and LGBTQ + Community.” Run for queer people, by queer people, supporting leadership development, creating a safe space for queer and trans people to be in the outdoors, with the added goal of supporting QPOC access to the outdoors. Their events include Winter Getaways, Nature Reflection, Classic Backpacking, Trans-masculine, and POC centered trips in NH, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts and Oregon. There are different skill levels from beginner to experienced, and prices range from $275-800 depending on location/length of trip. Check out more details here.
2022 Dates: Check out their website for the most up to date info!
References:
Google searches, comments from people responding to my posts on Facebook, and these excellent websites/articles:
TSER Camp List (Very comprehensive, easy to read chart).
Brave Trails 10 Best LGBTQ Summer Camps (2014)
LGBTQ Camps Give Youth a Place Where They Can Be Themselves in a Safe Environment
cover photo: June sunset on the Choptank River in Maryland
The Spaces In Between 
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