When is camp?
Who is this camp for?
What is the application process?
What is the cost for campers?
Who are the staff?
What will happen at camp?
What does the tentative daily schedule look like?
How do we make sure camp is as accessible as possible?
How is camp inclusive of people of all genders?
What are the sleeping arrangements and how will youth be placed into cabins?
What kind of food will be served?
When is camp?
Session 1 is Sunday, August 6th through Friday August 11th. Session 2 is Sunday August 13th though Friday the 18th. Check in will be between 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday and check out will be between 11 a.m. and noon Friday. Due to a high volume of applicants, campers may choose one session to attend.
Who is this camp for?
LGBTQ+ youth and their allies, ages 12-17. Campers 18+ may apply for our Leadership Camp. Camp Beyond Binary is a safe space where youth can find new friends, learn a new skill, challenge themselves, and be their authentic selves!
What is the application process and how many campers will be at camp?
Camper applications will open on January 30, 2023. Application is a 3 step process:
- Fill out your camper application and financial aid form, if necessary.
- Meet with our camper selection committee via Zoom to chat about you!
- If you are accepted, campers will receive a link for payment and to fill out health forms.
Not all campers will be accepted into camp. Our selection committee chooses a variety of campers who are from diverse backgrounds. Summer camp can be loud, crazy, crowded, and with little ‘alone time’ and little to no technology. Just as we want to make sure you are a good fit for camp, we want to make sure camp is a good fit for you.
For more info, check out the How do I apply? link.
What is the cost for campers?
No camper will be turned away based on ability to pay. We have created a tiered pricing structure that will meet the needs of any family hoping to attend.
Tier A, $1000 per camper, per session– Closest to TRUEST cost of camp, if you’re able to pay this—please do, as this will help us get more campers to camp!
Tier B, $900 per camper, per session – Partially subsidized cost, representing a $100 subsidy
Tier C , $800 per camper, per session– Highly subsidized cost, representing a $200 subsidy
We want you to know that 3-tiered pricing is:
1. Your choice. On an honor system, each family can decide what’s best for them and their budget.
2. Confidential. Your chosen tier is kept confidential, and it won’t impact a camper’s experience. Only members of the year-round camp team who help process registrations have access to this information. Pricing information is only referenced if you need help processing your registration.
3. Still need help? Thanks to gracious sponsorships, we are able to grant financial assistance to those who need it. Please fill out our financial aid form or email us at Camp Beyond Binary to inquire about financial aid options. The pricing tiers are confidential and based on your family’s own assessment. We encourage those who are able to pay more to choose a higher tier. No camper will be turned away due to inability to pay.
Who are the staff?
Counselors are trained and background screened adults age 24 and older. We will also have a nurse and mental health professionals on staff.
What will happen at camp?
A typical day at camp will include so many exciting activities!
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and healthy snacks.
Three activity periods where campers can choose between traditional camp activities, (archery, swimming, hiking, field games, outdoor skills, etc.), Camp Beyond Binary specific activities (LGBTQ history, self/community care, theater, art, the art of Drag, social justice, and more), and camper led activities (nearly anything campers want to share with others such as games, sharing a skill, teaching ukulele, youth organizing, etc.).
Campers will also engage in smaller group sessions where youth will explore their connections with our camp values (justice, leadership, empathy, transformation and belonging) and develop deeper relationships with a group of 6-8 other campers and two adults.
All camp evening include activities such as campfires, all camp games, variety show, story telling, collaborative art, and more!
What does the tentative daily schedule look like?
Our leadership team is actively working on our 2023 schedule, so this snapshot is subject to change!
| Wake up! | 8:00 a.m. |
| Breakfast and announcements | 8:30-9:30 a.m. |
| Small group meeting | 9:45-10:30 a.m. |
| Activity time 1 | 10:45-11:45 a.m. |
| Lunch | 12:00-12:45 p.m. |
| Free time/rest time | 1:00-2:00 p.m. |
| Activity time 2 | 2:15-3:15 p.m. |
| Activity time 3 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. |
| Activity time 4 | 4:45-5:45 p.m. |
| Dinner | 6:00-6:45 p.m. |
| All camp evening events | 7:00-9:00 p.m. |
| Brush and Wash | 9:30-10:00 p.m. |
| Wind down time in cabins | 10:00-10:30 p.m. |
| Lights out | 10:30 p.m. |
How do we make sure camp is as accessible as possible?
Staff and counselors will be trained in how to structure activities that are accessible to all taking into account neurodiversity and different physical abilities.
We will have a supervised quieter room where campers can retreat to when they need a break from the sensory stimulation that is inherent at summer camp.
How is camp inclusive of people of all genders?
At Camp Beyond Binary, we know that gender is wide open, spacious, and evolving.
Cabins: Our cabins are all-gender by default.
Medical staff: our medical staff are aware of and comfortable with the specific needs of LGBTQ campers. We have 1-2 RNs on site at all times, as well as a trained EMT.
Mental health: We will have an LGBTQ competent mental health provider on staff.
Bathrooms and showers are all gender. The shower house contains individual shower and bathroom stalls for privacy and comfort.
What are the sleeping arrangements and how will youth be placed into cabins?
Cabin Units: Accommodations are rustic cabin units, with 3-4 cabins per unit. Each cabin has bunkbeds and limited electricity (lights but no outlets). Cabins will contain 8-10 campers. Campers will be sorted into their units on the first day of camp, based on age. Younger campers will bunk together and older campers will bunk together. Staff will reside in cabins adjacent to the camper cabins within the units.
At Camp Beyond Binary we want everyone to feel comfortable in their sleeping space. Cabins will be separated by age groups of 12-14 and 15-17. Most of our cabins will be all gender. We may be able to accommodate single gender cabins depending on demographics of campers and staff. Campers and counselors are housed in cabins by self-determined gender identity. We have physically accessible cabin space for those who need it. We will do our best to place youth in their preferred cabin type but cannot guarantee.
What kind of food will be served?
We offer healthy, filling options at every meal, as well as snacks throughout the day. We do our best to provide plenty of choices to meet everyone’s needs and likes. If you have special dietary needs please let us know and we will try to accommodate you (gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, allergies).
Camp Beyond Binary 