Share This Campaign:
Our Story
Camp Out is the ONLY camp for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer, sex
and/or gender diverse and questioning teens in the whole of Australia!
Pretty incredible huh? We sure think so, that's why we, the 12 people
who form the Camp Out crew, volunteer countless hours over the year to
make Camp Out happen. All of us in the crew needed a camp like this when
we were teenagers, a place to talk openly and honestly about our
emerging identities and to be around other LGBTIQ teens with out the
fear of being bullied or discriminated against, but we can't time travel,
so we are doing the next best thing, making our dream a reality for the
younger generation. We believe in, and have
already witnessed the potential of Camp Out to deeply change young
LGBTIQ youth's lives for the better! We are doing it for the love!!!
Last year saw our first ever camp, and the impact it had on the teens who came was truly phenomenal.
Here are some of the things campers have said post-camp:
"This
has been a life changing experience for me and all the other campers,
and we are so grateful for all your effort you guys made to make it
happen"
"IT WAS FABULOUS THANKS FOR EVERYTHING"
"I
like that there was no discrimination with sexuality and gender, I felt
comfortable all week with who I was and that was amazing"
"Camp
out has been one of the best most exciting experiences I have had. I
recommend it to others who are thinking of doing it. Camp Out has
changed me in that I have gained confidence"
Camp Out is a place for diverse youth who share common
experiences to come together and form a community that is truly their
own. The camp week is filled
with art, music, sports, games and other fun stuff, as well as hangouts
like movie nights, beach trips and bonfires. As
well as these 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.
For
the majority of these young people, this is the only time they can talk
about these issues openly and honestly, in a safe and supportive
environment.
Most simply, it's the chance to hang out in a place where you're not judged for who you are, or who you like.
It is experiences like this that we believe are going to create a future generation with lower LGBTIQ youth suicide rates.
This year we are predicting to double the amount of
campers that we had last year, and the registration forms are already
rolling in, but we are relying on grants and the love of the community
to get enough money to make the camp happen again! If we can reach our
fundraising goal we will be able to meet all the costs of camp this year
with out being in the red.
If you are an LGBTIQ person, think about how incredible it would have been to be a teenager and experience this kind of support, and if you are an ally to the LGBTIQ community, sending a message to youth that there are other people out there that care about their wellbeing is so powerful!
We are turning to
the community to ask if you would like to see the next generation of LGBTIQ people grow up empowered, self accepting, and ready to take on
the world! We cant do this with out you, so spread the word! Camp Out
needs a hand!
What We Need:
We anticipate that the cost of Camp Out for 2011 will be $12,000. This includes food, transport, insurance, workshop facilitator fees, equipment, venue hire, printing and promotional material, postal costs, petrol, etc.As a non-profit organisation, Camp Out is currently supported by a $5,000 LINC grant, as well as an upcoming fundraiser dinner (which aims to raise around $1,500), and an estimated further $2,000 from camper attendance fees.
Camp Out currently needs at least another $3,500 to go ahead.
Other Ways You Can Help:
We have a wish list of other ways to help Camp Out if you can not give financial support.
Perhaps you know someone in the 13-17 year old age range who might
want to come to camp - as we're still only in our second year, we need
your help in getting the word out about Camp Out!
Or perhaps you, or your workplace, or your friends, could help by donating food, sporting equipment, art supplies or other goods for the camp week - please get in contact at info@campout.org.au to find out how to lend or donate any equipment or supplies.
We are also holding a fundraising dinner at bloodwood Newtown on Tuesday September 20th - check out the facebook event and buy tickets from Daisytickets: www.daisytickets.com
Lastly, please check out our website for updates and more information on Camp Out - www.campout.org.au
THANKYOU!!!!
Team on This Campaign:
-
-
Shelagh StantonCamp Crew