Arizona ‘gay camp’ a summer refuge for LGBT youth
August 15, 2014
Over Labor Day weekend, young people and adult staff will gather in Prescott, Arizona for the seventh year of Camp OUTdoors! a program for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth ages 11 to 24. Although its session lasts only over the holiday weekend, OUTdoors! (more often referred to by its participants as “gay camp”) offers a full slate of traditional camp activities. It also includes a strong focus on workshops about suicide prevention, LGBT history, and empowerment intended to help young people keep their confidence even in environments where their gender identity or sexual orientation is not accepted. The camp was originally the project of its current director Kado Stewart, but it has grown each year and is now a program of One-n-Ten, a Phoenix organization that serves LGBT youth. It is largely funded by grants and donations from businesses, and the Labor Day session is free for most participants.
Spark Extra! Check out this fact sheet on Suicidal Behavior among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth.