Welcome!
We are a camp for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer (LGBTIQ), and Sex &/or Gender Diverse teens, same sex attracted, curious & questioning teens and their allies, aged 13-17.
2011 is the second ever Camp Out and we envisage that it will continue to grow for many years to come!
The 2011 camp will be held September 26 to October 1 - registrations close September 16.
2011 is the second ever Camp Out and we envisage that it will continue to grow for many years to come!
Camp Out offers the chance to attend a 5-night away-from-home camp with people who share similar experiences, offering a supportive and safe space to learn and express yourself, an opportunity for capacity building and a fun environment in which to do so.
Most of all, it's the chance to hang out in a place where you're not judged for who you are, or who you like.
There's heaps of art, music, sports, games and other fun stuff happening during camp, as well as hangouts like movie nights, beach trips and bonfires!
As well as your more typical camp activities, there's open workshops and informal discussions on things like identity & what it means to be LGBTIQ-identified or questioning your gender or sexual orientation, dealing with homophobia & transphobia, coming out in highschool, coming out to parents or friends, and how to be a supportive queer ally.
With all the Camp activities it's up to you how you want to participate -- you choose your own Camp experience!
With all the Camp activities it's up to you how you want to participate -- you choose your own Camp experience!
Some of the 2010 Camp Out organizing crew
Camp Out is based on a policy of inclusion - no-one turned away for lack of funds.
Who Is Organising This?
The Camp Out organising crew is a group of 10 people based in Sydney who have been meeting since the start of 2010. The crew comes from a range of backgrounds and includes youth workers, high school teachers, community workers, artists and queer community organisers.
We are a consensus-based, non-heirarchical collective working from a social justice framework - please see our glossary of terms for further information on what this means for Camp Out.
Mission Statement
CAMP OUT inc. is an Australian grassroots, community based, non-profit organisation based in Sydney. We run an annual camp for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and Sex &/or Gender Diverse teens, same sex attracted, curious & questioning teens and their allies.
The camp aims to give campers aged 13 to 17 an opportunity to meaningfully connect with others, and to share their experiences in a safe, supportive and fun environment. We aim for the campers to leave camp with confidence, skills and resources and to feel strong in their identity and in navigating their worlds.
We have drawn inspiration from a similar camp in Seattle, USA, called Camp Ten Trees who have run a summer camp for LGBTIQ youth and their allies for 10 years. Check them out! www.camptentrees.org
All Camp organising crew, workshop facilitators and onsite Camp crew attend training kindly provided by Twenty10, a statewide community organisation who work with and support young people of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities, their families and friends.
Non Profit
As a non-profit organisation, all donations, grants, and other contributions that Camp Out Inc. receives go towards maintaining accessibility and high quality programming at camp, as well as keeping our camp fees as low as possible for all campers and their families.
Camp Out is staffed and run entirely by unpaid volunteers.
Our Values
Camp Out is facilitated by socially conscious and passionate people operating from a social justice framework. Camp Out values equity, inclusion, empowerment, mutual support, self determination and autonomy and aims to foster these values through the camp experience.
These values are evident in the way we choose to organise as a collective: we employ a consensus decision-making model, and are non-heirarchical in our organisational structure. Further, Camp Out chooses to receive funding from strictly noncommercial sources only, and to only affiliate with like-minded community organisations.
Specifically, our values of equity and social justice have led to the introduction of sliding scale camp fees, meaning Camp Out is accessible to all campers regardless of financial status or background.
These values are evident in the way we choose to organise as a collective: we employ a consensus decision-making model, and are non-heirarchical in our organisational structure. Further, Camp Out chooses to receive funding from strictly noncommercial sources only, and to only affiliate with like-minded community organisations.
Specifically, our values of equity and social justice have led to the introduction of sliding scale camp fees, meaning Camp Out is accessible to all campers regardless of financial status or background.
How does the sliding scale work?
There is a recommended fee for Camp Out of $175 -- this covers the cost of food and transport for the camp. Sliding scale means you pay what you can afford. So, if it is within your means to pay, for example, $200 for the camp, then it would be greatly appreciated, and this money goes towards making camp an excellent (and affordable) experience for everyone!
While we appreciate any payment, big or small, that you are able to make towards Camp, we also believe everyone should have the opportunity to attend regardless of financial status or background. This means no camper will ever be turned away for lack of funds.
Please contact us at info@campout.org.au if you have any further questions regarding our payment policies.
