Capitol Correspondent
DETROIT–They came from Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Florida and Michigan, 20 youth for a camping experience like no other. It was Triangle Foundation's second annual Camping OUT program held in Northern Michigan. The specific location of the event is kept confidential as a security measure. It was generally like any other sleep away camp, except one major difference. The camp is for LBGTQA youth.
"The concept behind the camp is to a create a safe space for the youth to have fun, but the primary goal is to develop their skills as leaders," said Greg Varnum, director of youth initiatives for Triangle Foundation.
The youth spent a week in northern Michigan hiking, canoeing, swimming and doing arts and crafts, but they also spent a great deal of time working on leadership skills and developing a common dialogue to discuss LBGTQA issues with a common voice.
Speakers such as Triangle Executive Director Jeffrey Montgomery, Triangle Director of Policy Sean Kosofsky and leaders from national organizations came to the camp to facilitate dialogues on issues as diverse as HIV/AIDS prevention, transgender issues, lobbying, talking with the media, and developing GSAs in local high schools.
Trevor Conrad, 17, from Madison, Wisconsin said he found out about the camp last November from his mother. He had just come out of the closet, and his mother wanted him to have an experience with other LBGT youth so she started surfing the web. That's how they discovered Camping.OUT.
"She came to me and asked me if I wanted to go," Conrad said in a phone interview. "I said absolutely."
Conrad said he loved the camping OUT experience so much that he is planning on returning next year as a counselor.
"I could be who I am; unlike school where you can't really show it or else you will get picked on or harassed. At Camping OUT you can be who you are," said the youth.
Conrad said he found the entire camping OUT, his first experience at a camp of any sort, helpful. "We talked about a lot of issues. You know about transgenders and HIV issues. It was really important. And it was great to have a chance to talk to other peers about the issues."
Varnum said that is exactly the goal. The camp was the brainchild of the Triangle Youth Advisory Board, and has been designed and implemented by youth both years it has occurred.
The camp is expected to happen again next year Varnum said. An announcement about the dates is expected in October. For more information, visit http://CampingOUT.org.
