Gay Camp: Helping Youth Feel Safe and Supported

[Soundz2598]

Sounds FUN!!! :D

[pierceys234]

when i hear gay camps i think camps where kids are forced to go by their parents(would probably never be legal in Canada) that force them to try and "turn" straight

[salleesweet]

Camp Ten Trees is just AWESOME! It offers two sessions - one for families of Gay Parents, the other for Gay Teens and both sessions have really awesome activities, staff, and most of all that feeling of community and belonging. They also offer scholarships for those families who don't have the funds for their kids to attend but want to go.

[ThatGuyWithaShotgun]

If this was in alabama you would need armed guards

[vampiremage16]

am alone in thinking that they should have a camp firefly in the us?

[Bradjg1978]

It must be hard to go for some people. You have to be out to your parents.

[chrised79]

wow, diz is awesome!!! it's great that we have these GLBT camps for teenagers/youth coz they need the support & understand where they stand in society/life :D...wish i lived there so i could always offer my help :(...oh well, life goes on

[thesexyvoice]

This looks really cool. I go to a camp just like it in New York actually. Its called Queer Spirit Camp and I actually just made a video of a bunch of pics from it.

I don't mean to advert but it's a great program for anyone interested in the area~ :)

[tigereye04]

oh canada.... your medieval neighbor to the south looks upon you in wonder. this is wonderful.

[Mishewww]

Hm, i wonder if they have something like this in the US or if US residents could go :D

that would be cool x33

[campfyrefly]

@Mishewww US residents can apply... but all travel arrangements, passports, health insurance etc need to be arranged by the youth/family in advance.

[eldadevata]

Yes, fear actually does give power to others over you. The fear of being outed, the fear of being rejected, the fear of being blackmailed, etc.

Im happy there are caps like this one. I know in Europe we also have them in some of the countries.

[HoneyLilac]

wow, I thought its for younger teenagers first... the age range they have is good. :) I was just begining to feel it was too late for me until I saw the age range.

[0FlirtingWithSuicide]

I Wish I Could Go, My Friend Was Telling Me About This, And Im Totally Interested. But My Dad Thinks Its A Joke, So He Won't Send Me There.. I Would Go To The one In British Columbia Because Then That Way I Could Bring Some Friends With Who Would Love To Be A Part Of This Camp. Right Now.. I Am In California Which Is Where My Dad Plans To Move.. So It's A Lot Harder For Me To Be Able To Get There.. ):

[haibaraan]

@0FlirtingWithSuicide Just curious: What's With The Caps?

[0FlirtingWithSuicide]

Lol, I don't really know, everyone say it's so complicating but to me it's very easy. It was just a habit haha. I don't do it anymore as you can see. It was hard not too.

[elayn2]

VERY god...we need something like this in germany!!

[Haleyvictoria12]

I wish there was a gay camp in new brunswick.. there's not a lot for the gay community here. sometimes i wish there was somewhere i could go where i didn't need to worry about being called a dyke, or even being hit on by guys.. would be nice to have a place like fyrefly here.

[sfields619]

do they have anything like this for youth in California?

[sistasoul416]

if you find out about this will you let me know? i definitely would like that :)

there's one in seattle... which i guess is close enough. i think its called ten trees...

[MarchingDragons]

I SUPPORT GAY RIGHTS!!!

[iloveyoubabyboobaby]

I SUPPORT GAY RIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[l3tt3rs4ndnumb3rs]

Maybe if these get large enough we'll one day need a straight camp

[davidandwhat12]

thnks xD

[TimeGoesBySoSlowly99]

It's about time something like this started up.

To be gay and have no support, especially at such a young age, but be unberably difficult.

[Marijuanaboy17]

WWoootwooot!

im goin to this, this summer!

:D

[patty1947]

we atleast need one of these in every state...

[WhatILikeWomen]

AMERICANS DO NOT FEAR! lol. you guys DO have your own "Gay camp". It's called Camp Ten Trees and is situated in Seattle, Washington. IF you're an East Coaster, check out Michigans "Gay camp" CampintOut.

[campfyrefly]

Don't forget about YES Summer Camp in NY!

:)

[ohanamaggie]

GO CTT!!!!

[garysdeskcom]

I hope this does not come out as a second post, but if you get two "thank yous" that might not be a bad thing.

The video is super. Thank you for sharing some of the camp experience with us.

[ohdangdre]

This would be amazing if we had something like this lol

[redheadedlosers]

why cant americans be like this

[koolaide77]

totally we should move to canada

[Confundus]

can swedish kids like myself go to that camp?^^

[scotplaya]

So your asking if the camp is international.

[Ownaweasel]

I hope this camp is still going in a few years so I can be a counselor. >_>

[eddieflashes17]

Aboot

[cherryapplesoda]

Aww cute

[Ryan3789]

Oh wow... thats so cool. I wish we had something like this in britain! If we do, it needs more publicity, but for some reason i cant see us having something like this. Oh well. No point complaining. Its nice ti see people spreading such positivity :)

[amandajhill]

this is amazing...I wish they had a gay camp for me...hell, I still want to go to this...I'm so lame I'm at work watching this and I almost cryed...

[taju69]

Right on dude! I'm Bisexual myself. This is a greqat idea, some people don't understand how hard it is being juged like a peice of meat everywhere you go. Having to avoid confrontation with other people about your sexuality. I'm not coset or anything but I was For a while.

[campfyrefly]

Thanks for the email! I know of three US camps:

Camp Ten Trees, Camping OUT, and YES Summer Camp. I can't post the website addies here. But email our account at the university and I'll send along!

Please stay in touch! We are always available to address any questions or concerns you may have.

Sarah

Camp fYrefly, coordinator