Is Unirondack an LGBTQ+ Camp?
We get this question all the time. And the answer is… not exactly. But sort of? Let us explain.
Unirondack is not an affinity space. In other words, it is not a space designed for people of any specific identity or experience. Unirondack is a great place for LGBTQ+ youth and their non-LGBTQ+ peers alike. And we love it that way! We think that part of the magic of camp is that our campers come from so many different backgrounds and experiences. That means that youth who come to Unirondack will meet all kinds of people who are different from them. That’s some high-quality fertilizer for social development.
But we take it a step further. We talk openly about difference. We celebrate and affirm it, and we challenge our campers to think carefully about how they treat others, to notice their biases and assumptions, to learn from their mistakes and grow. Our staff are trained to intervene and guide youth in this process, using curiosity and empathy as the cornerstones of our mentorship approach.
Unirondack is a GREAT camp for LGBTQ+ youth
Here’s why:
Unirondack is run by an LGBTQ+ leadership team. So our commitment to maintaining a welcoming space is personal, and comes from real lived experience.
A very high percentage (over half) of our staff each summer are members of the LGBTQ+ community, making them especially well-equipped to offer support and mentorship to youth who may be facing struggles they are familiar with.
All of our staff undergo an in-depth, multi-part training series on how to properly include, uplift and support LGBTQ+ youth in their care.
Our cabin groups are not segregated by gender, which makes us a great option for campers who are not served by the binary housing options offered at many other summer camps. (learn more about our all-gender cabins here)
All of our bathrooms are all-gender bathrooms, with many single-occupancy bathrooms available for those who prefer more privacy. Our shower stalls were designed to feel super private, with tall walls and no gaps. We want to make sure everyone has a safe and private place to shower, change and use the toilet!
Unirondack has a robust set of policies, procedures and best-practices designed to protect, support, and include LGBTQ+ campers and families. Our commitments to inclusivity and representation are present everywhere from the language in our registration forms, to the way we accommodate name changes in our admin system, to our confidentiality policies, to the characters and stories in our programs.
In addition to many LGBTQ+ centric programs that campers can choose to attend, we also host a daily discussion space for LGBTQ+ youth and allies to talk about gender, sexuality, and anything else on their mind in a safe, judgment-free, peer-facilitated environment.
We host an annual Queer Youth Advocacy Retreat specifically designed for LGBTQ+ youth and allies to connect, learn, and find inspiration - learn more about our QYAR here!
As a result of the positive environment that we work so hard to create, Unirondack has attracted a high number of LGBTQ+ youth and families - which means that LGBTQ+ youth who come to Unirondack are bound to connect with plenty of other youth who share their experience!
So we’re not exactly an LGBTQ+ camp. BUT…
Unirondack draws upon LGBTQ+ cultural norms and values to create a more welcoming space for everyone.
We believe that the LGBTQ+ community can teach us a lot of valuable lessons about how we can treat each other to build a better world. Here are some of the values and ideas from LGBTQ+ culture that we try to uphold at Camp.
There is no wrong way to have a family. Single mom? Two dads? Raised by your grandparents? Blended family? Adopted? Close network of friends and chosen family? It’s all good, it’s all healthy, it’s all normal. ‘Family’ is a word for our closest people who love and care for us. There are a million beautiful ways that can look!
We respect the identities of others and the language they use to describe themselves. We call campers what they want to be called. It’s that simple. When it comes to names, pronouns, and identity labels, we honor and mirror the language people choose for themselves. It’s a gesture of respect, and one that everyone can easily practice.
We celebrate authentic personal expression. Come as you are! Be weird, be bold, be you. Show us the truest version of yourself, and feel the love! At Unirondack, we make space for every kind of expression. By having the freedom and support to truly be themselves, many of our campers discover new ways to feel great in their own skin. We strive to help every camper move through the world confidently and authentically.
Exploring your identity takes time, and is a process that can be nurtured through support and positive affirmation. At Unirondack we encourage campers to explore new things as they start to figure out they are, and we provide an environment for self-discovery that is supportive, positive and affirming for all of our youth.
Youth need positive role models who share their experience. Sometimes, all it takes is one caring adult who knows exactly what you’re going through to shift your path in a positive direction. We all need someone to talk to who just gets it. Our goal is to make sure all of our campers have access to exactly that kind of support.
Youth need a judgment-free space to ask questions and receive accurate information that will help keep them safe. Kids and teens are curious. They want to know about sex and drugs and relationships and mental health and a whole lot of other things. And unfortunately TikTok isn’t always leading them to the right information. We are here to help connect youth to reputable resources, and to offer spaces where they can share their experiences with peers and get their questions answered safely, accurately, and free from judgement or shame.
