All campers have multiple bathroom options. The all-gender cabins will have access to our all-gender bathrooms and showers (which feature fully enclosed, locking stalls), as well as the boys’ and girls’ bathroom and shower facilities. Expectations in these spaces are reviewed at the start of camp, and they are supervised by staff — one right inside the door of the restroom and another staff outside of it. Campers are always within sight and sound of counselors and always move throughout camp with at least two other people.

All of our campers, including those staying in boy and girl cabins, will have the option to change in their cabins or use private changing rooms. These rooms could be restrooms, shower stalls, or our new changing stations which are locked stalls. Counselors always supervise these areas if campers are using them.

In our staff application, interview and training, we give staff the opportunity to select which cabins they would be comfortable supervising. All staff receive training on promoting positive cabin environments, following and enforcing privacy rules, and the gender spectrum.

Counselors are then placed in cabins based on their preferences as well as what leadership think would provide the best possible experience for campers. There are always at least two staff members in each cabin, and they sleep in bunks near entrances and exits to cabins.

A person’s sexuality is who they are attracted to and their gender is who they are. Some examples of gender identities include woman, man, non-binary, or two-spirit (which is specific to Indigenous communities). Some examples of sexualities include lesbian, gay, straight, or bisexual. Both gender and sexuality are diverse experiences that vary depending on the person. Research shows that half or more youth identify with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) community and that 25% of youth are non-binary. We follow best practices and train our staff to accept and celebrate these identities! We’re excited to offer all-gender cabins in part to support campers outside the gender binary.

According to the National Center of Transgender Equality: “Some people don’t neatly fit into the categories of ‘man’ or ‘woman,’ or ‘male’ or ‘female.’ For example, some people have a gender that blends elements of being a man or a woman, or a gender that is different than either male or female. Some people don’t identify with any gender. Some people’s gender changes over time. People whose gender is not male or female use many different terms to describe themselves, with non-binary being one of the most common.” Non-binary campers may find that all-gender cabins are a more comfortable option than girl or boy cabins.

We do not offer programs around gender and sexuality. The focus of our program is being outside in nature, building community, and supporting each camper as they discover their spark. Our staff are trained how to have age-appropriate and positive conversations without making judgments when these questions or topics arise, including how to refocus everyone’s attention toward camp.