It’s summer break, y’all!
Guilford County public schools wrapped up the 2022-2023 school year earlier this week. To help parents of LGBTQ+ youth find childcare and enrichment opportunities for their children, GGF has complied a list of queer-friendly youth summer camps across North Carolina that are still accepting applications:
Community Recreation Center Summer Camp
The city of Greensboro offers an affordable summer day camp at 10 different locations. Although this camp is not specifically targeted toward queer youth, it is inclusive of all genders and sexualities.
Dates: June 20 to August 18
Ages: 5-12 years of age. All campers must have completed Kindergarten.
Cost: $85 per week, per child. Fee assistance is available.
Summer Stay Camp Kits
The city of Greensboro also offers affordable at-home activities for young people. Each kit includes 15 educational activities. Plus, with the purchase of a kit, kids can attend two virtual camp assembly meets each week.
Dates: New kits are released weekly, June 14 to August 13, and can be picked up at the Greensboro community recreation center of your choice beginning the Friday prior to camp. (For example, June 14-18 Summer Stay Camp kits can be picked up on June 11.)
Ages: 5-12 years old
Cost: $15 for physical kit; Digital Copy $5
Outward Bound
Backpacking and rock climbing expeditions in the Blue Ridge Mountains led by LGBTQ+ instructors for LGBTQ+ youth.
Dates: 7.12.23 – 7.20.23
Ages: 14 – 17
Cost: $3,405
QORDS (Queer Oriented Radical Days of Summer)
Virtual camp for Southern queer youth interested in building community through music and the arts. Campers learn an instrument and form a band with their peers, as well as attend workshops on a variety of topics, including activism, queer science history, and how to make a zine.
Dates:
June 24th: TWO EVENTS: 10am-11:30am ET; 6pm-8pm ET
July 7th: TWO EVENTS: 10-11:30am ET; 6pm-8pm ET
July 22nd: ONE EVENT: 6pm-8pm ET
August 5th: ONE EVENT: 6pm-8pm ET
August 19th: TWO EVENTS: 10am-11:30am ET; 6pm-8pm ET
Ages: 12-14 and 15-17
Cost: $20 application; sliding scale
Girls Rock NC
Week-long day camps for rising-3rd through 10th grade girls, trans youth, and gender-expansive youth interested in musical collaboration, political education for social change, and creative expression. Camp days run from 9AM-5PM. Drop-off is from 8:30-8:50AM. You can sign up for after-camp care, which extends the day to 6PM.
Dates:
Durham Week #1: Monday, July 10th – Friday, July 14th (rising 3rd – 6th graders) WAITLIST OPEN!
Durham Week #2: Monday, July 17th – Friday, July 21st (rising 7th – 10th graders) WAITLIST OPEN!
Raleigh Week #3: Monday, July 31st – Friday, August 4th (rising 3rd – 10th graders) SPOTS REMAINING!
Cost: $400/week; scholarships available
Durham Montessori School (Rainbow Camp with Anne and Kaliq)
Day camp featuring books and activities to support discussions around gender diversity, race, LGBTQIA+ families, disability, justice, intersectionality, and allyship. The week culminates in a group “speak up” (activism) project. Camps run from 8:00am-12:00pm
Dates: JULY 31-AUGUST 4
Ages: Rising 2nd – rising 4th grade
Cost: $300
ASPYRE Camp
Leadership and community-service day camp for young LGBTQ+ aspiring activists, including middle school and high school students.
Dates: TBD
Ages: TBD
Cost: TBD