Youth leadership program for 2SLGBTQIA+ calls for donations through UBC Giving Day fundraiser

CampOUT! is a unique, transformative summer camp for queer, trans, and Two-Spirit youth from across B.C. and the Yukon ages 14-21. The youth leadership program – a first of its kind in B.C. – is offered for free to youth thanks to generous community support. They have put a call to action for financial support through UBC Giving Day on April 5.

CampOUT! started in 2009 out of the University of British Columbia as a program for 2SLGBTQIA + youth. CampOUT! Director Anna White says, the program has helped over 900 people thrive since it’s inception through the generosity of donors, including this years UBC Giving Day fundraiser that helps make it accessible to anyone who wants to apply.

White adds, 14 years later, annually, they bring youth from all across the province, ages 14 to 21, who identify as queer, trans, Two-Spirit, gay, bi, questioning, allied and we fly them, bus them, carpool them, ferry them to Horseshoe Bay where we get on a water taxi and we head to Camp Fircom on Gambier island for four magical days of incredible community building and learning and leadership.

White explains the program differs every year depending on the volunteer group that leads it.

“As campers arrive, what they can expect is to be greeted by a real range of adult leaders that have so many different passions, interests and skills. And they’re welcomed into what is normally a traditional camp setting, but has been transformed into a super gender and sexuality-inclusive space. So, what that looks like is – all the bathrooms are gender neutral, gender inclusive, all the cabins are gender inclusive.”

The camp offers four different program streams where workshops range from arts, leadership development, community building sessions, and health and wellness workshops as well as fun outdoor camp experiences that include canoeing kayaking, hiking, archery, and nature walks.

In 2014, Meika Johnson first attended CampOUT! at 19-years-old as a camper. They then became a cabin leader in 2019, Johnson reflects on their own positive experience.

“My experience was very positive. I had never been in an only queer space like that before, where all of my identities were very uplifted. And I was surrounded by people who wanted to provide me with a safe space, as well as seeing people that I look up to like my cabin leaders who are queer and there,” said Johnson. “I feel campout is really important because it changes people’s lives, it’s changed my life. It’s touched my heart significantly, and I feel like it’s an extremely radical space that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world,” they said.

“We can see the things that are happening in America where violence is happening to trans people, and just on the other side of the border, there is queer and trans celebration happening, celebrating queer, joy, and intergenerational healing, to uplift that these identities are amazing and valid and have so many things to share with the community and are absolutely necessary. And no other camp like that exists.”

CampOUT! has been functioning as a welcoming space for people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ since 2009. (Submitted by: CampOUT!)

Johnson, who is now a vibrant leader in the queer community, says CampOUT! is a radical space that uplifts queer joy.

“In terms of transformation, like seeing kids, when they get off the boat, are so shy and nervous and not talking to each other or looking at each other and are extremely flamboyant and gay, and then when they get back on the boat, at the end of the day, they’re so joyful, they’re all hugging, and they have so many shared stories, and have made so many connections that they get to bring home with them and be with them for the rest of their lives.”

The camp costs about $2,000 per youth, but White says it also depends on their travel needs and requirements. The UBC Giving Day fundraiser, plus community grants, an alumni UBC organized gala, and support from individual and corporate donors keeps the camp free and accessible for all participants. But, as costs rise, CampOUT! needs more support. Giving Day is really an incredible way to bolster support from folks across Canada, and online and folks who are keen to support at different levels.

“We have a different financial model where rather than asking youth and families to pay to access this type of education, the wider community gathers their resources and makes sure that young people have access to this. So, the goal for UBC Giving Day is to make minimum $30,000, that will fund a third of our youth for this summer.”

Scotiabank has promised to match the funds once it reaches $10,000. White adds, two of our long-time supporters, Joel Smith, and Darcy Greiner have challenged 10 people to give $250. And when that happens, it’ll triple the impact, and it will unlock $5,000 from the two of them. So if we hit those goals of $15,000 on April 5, that will unlock the additional $15,000 in donations.

The youth leadership program has put a call to action for financial support through UBC Giving Day.