Summer camp can be one of the most formative experiences for Jewish youth and emerging leaders. When they are affirmed and supported at camp, youth are able to flourish, build a strong sense of self, and form lifelong connections. However, far too many LGBTQ youth report that camp is one of the places in Jewish life where they encounter obstacles and barriers to full participation. We know that our camps will be at their best when all campers and staff are able to bring their full selves to the camp experience. 

To meet the growing demand among summer camps to develop LGBTQ-affirming communities, we are now offering camps the opportunity to use a self-facilitated video curriculum to train staff on LGBTQ-affirming practices. These resources will empower summer camp leaders to facilitate a 90-minute LGBTQ training for their staff.  

For the cost of $360 per camp, each participating camp will receive our series of 10 mini-videos, a curriculum for a 90-minute staff orientation (broken into two sessions), and access for 2-6 staff facilitators to join our online facilitators’ training. Participating camps must send 2-6 staff who will facilitate these trainings to a Facilitator’s Workshop session.

These staff facilitators may be unit heads, specialists, members of the camp’s leadership team, social workers, or other staff members who will be best equipped to deliver this training content to the full staff. 

This curriculum will cover

• The basics of LGBTQ identity
• A basis in Jewish values and camp values for building LGBTQ-affirming communities at camp
• Awareness of ways in which assumptions about gender and orientation may negatively impact LGBTQ campers and staff
• Confidence using LGBTQ-affirming language 
• Tools for interrupting anti-LGBTQ bullying
• Tools for proactively building LGBTQ-affirming culture

Camping OUT 2023 takes place on May 9, 2023 from 1-3:30pm ET / 10-12:30pm PT and May 18, 2023 from 11am-1:30pm ET / 8-10:30am PT. Participants attend one of the two available sessions and need not be present at both. We’re also offering a special Refresher Session for returning facilitators on May 11, 2023 from 1-3:30pm ET / 10-12:30pm PT. Registration begins late March 2023 on a first-come first-served basis. If you’re interested, we encourage you to book as soon as possible!