Best Summer Camps For LGBTQ+ Youth
It’s not easy to find a well-reputed LGBTQ+ summer camp with a supportive fostering environment for campers. To make it easy for families, we covered the most LGBTQ+ friendly summer camps and programs in this guide. Whether you’re a parent wanting to send your child to one, or a future camp counselor looking to work at one, these camps are spread across the country.
At these inclusive summer camps, campers can make new friends, increase their self-confidence, and learn essential life skills. They feature the same fun activities that you can find at any other program like archery, dance, theater, kayaking, and much more.
Wyalusing, PA
Camp Ballibay is a specialty art camp in Wyalusing, PA, and one of the oldest art-focused summer camps in the United States. It was established in 1964. It’s the perfect place for creative children ages 8-17 who want to spend their summer honing their skills in an inclusive, diverse, and engaging environment.
They offer various overnight camps with different focuses like art, theater, dance, and rock. Kids can enjoy all types of fun activities, including film, creative writing, radio broadcasting, singing lessons, horseback riding, custom design, production setup, and much more.
Camp Ballibay is surrounded by a beautiful wonderland on their 174-acre campus. They have extensive facilities where campers inspired by the arts can improve...
Moultonborough, NH
Camp Quinebarge is a traditional summer camp for kids ages 6-16 in Moultonborough, NH, that’s been around since 1936. This is a coed camp that welcomes boys and girls and is also LGBTQ+ friendly. Its idyllic campus in the Lakes Region, surrounded by mountains and forests, makes it the perfect place for campers to explore nature and go on thrilling adventures.
Children can choose from fun camp activities like horseback riding, archery, zip lining, basketball, soccer, fencing, boating, hiking, arts and crafts, and many other nature and arts options.
The camp also holds unique events for campers to participate in like carnivals and Olympic games. Parents can select from 2, 4, 6, and 8-week sessions...
Camp Lightbulb
Provincetown, MA
Camp Lightbulb supports all LGBTQ+ youth, and it was also one of the first summer camps in the US for them. LGBTQ teens of ages 14-18 can attend, and each year, the camp is held at the beautiful location of Provincetown, Cape Cod. Plus, it also offers camps in Los Angeles and New York City.
Camp Lightbulb focuses on seven essential components: fun, community, art, learning, service, outdoor adventure, and well-being. A secure and joyful environment is created to allow personal development and exploration.
The small camps have a high ratio of counselor-to-campers for better understanding and attentiveness. Campers learn about LGBTQ+ history and enjoy activities like kayaking, scavenger hunts, cooking, baking, whale watching, and...
Camp Ten Trees
Washington State
Camp Ten Trees is a magical place where all identities are respected. This residential summer camp creates an engaging and caring environment for youth, friends, and families. With more than 15 years of experience, the camp offers the perfect blend of summer adventure activities and social justice programs to empower them.
This allows diverse youth to explore the world around them and see it in ways they may not have previously. It brings together young adults from all aspects of the LGBTQ+ community. They offer three camp sessions with one is geared towards folk who identify as LGBTQ or allies of any sexual orientation ages 13-17. The other session is for the Queerspawn 8-12, the...
Camp Brave Trails
California and Maryland
A leadership summer camp for LGBTQ+ teens and allies ages 12-18, Camp Brave Trails is designed to let LGBTQ youth find their passion and a place with friends. With locations in California and Maryland, it welcomes all local and international campers. The camp encourages them to express and explore in a friendly and supportive environment. Kids are assigned to cabins by age, not by gender.
It combines the traditional summer camp activities with the queer twist and a leadership program. They bring people in from the community to teach crucial skills like public speaking. With the holistic approach of leadership, campers get a boost in confidence and personal development.
Harbor Camps
New Hampshire
Harbor Camps is a leading summer camp for non-binary and transgender youth ages 8-13. It's a value-based camp that focuses on the personal growth and development of every camper. Campers come from all around the world to join this small-knit community.
Harbor Camps is located on the 116 acres of New Hampshire with a 200-acre waterfront lake. It's a beautiful and fun place for land sports, water sports, adventurous games, drama, art, music, and much more.
Days at camp are filled with exciting activities and delicious meals with pals. The main mission of Harbor Camps is for the kids to be able to be just themselves and enjoy the summer camp experience. Not only does...
Camp Pride
Virtual
Set up 20 years ago, Campus Pride has served as the leading national educational organization for the community. It gives teens and adults a place to connect with themselves and their community and strive for social justice. It's the longest-running leadership program for LGBTQ+ and ally college students.
The camp runs for three days and trains anywhere from 50-75 young students each session. The main purpose of this summer enrichment program is to build leadership qualities among LGBTQ youth. Camp Pride strives to empower future LGBTQ+ leaders and offers an unparalleled experience of activism, growth, and community. The virtual summer camp lasts three days and runs from July 14 to 16.
Camp Outright
Starksboro, VT
Camp Outright is an overnight LGBTQ+ summer camp for teenagers ages 13-17. It offers a supportive environment where youth can express themselves in their own ways, including trans youth and those of any gender identity. The camp takes place in Starksboro, Vermont, with two camp sessions running in July. Kids can participate in several activities involving visual arts, performing arts, swimming, outdoor pursuits like hiking, and much more.
Kids are separated by age groups from 13-15 and 16-17. Returning campers ages 18-19 are welcome to apply for their Leaders In Training program, where they build leadership skills and train to become camp counselors. With a goal to accept everyone regardless of financial background, there are...