Name of umbrella organization (if applicable): Lake Park Society

Website (if applicable): https://cumberlandlakepark.ca/programs/summer-camps/

Tell us a bit about your group and its purposes/projects. Please include bit about its history. : Camp Kin is a summer camp for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth between the ages of 10 and 13. It is run through the Lake Park Society, which is a not-for-profit society that has been contracted by the Village of Cumberland for the overall management and operation of Cumberland Lake Park and Campground since 2015. The Society serves the community by providing outdoor experiences that celebrate nature, build community, support low-impact recreation and inspire learning. This is our second year of running Camp Kin and we’re looking forward to another week of inclusion, play, and celebration at Comox Lake. Campers will be canoeing, swimming, hiking, crafting, and connecting with peers and camp instructors with shared lived experience. We also engage in 2SLGBTQIA+ specific education to ensure all campers have the tools and knowledge to be empowered in their queer identities. Our priority is to celebrate gender diversity and all orientations by creating a safe space for each camper to be their truest self. Camp Kin welcomes all identities, including allies. The camp will run daily from 9:00am to 3:00pm from July 31st to August 4th, 2023.

Is there a specific project that this new money would be applied to, or would it be used for your ongoing work? Please describe. : 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and their families face multiple barriers, and we strongly believe in making Camp Kin financially accessible to all campers. This funding would go directly to our Camp Kin Bursary program to further subsidize the camp fees. Participant costs are currently offered at a cost-recovery rate of $220+tax for one week of camp. As a non-profit with limited resources, this fee ensures that we are able to offer the program. However, we recognize that this still creates a financial barrier to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and their families. We hope to provide both fully covered and partially covered fees for campers who would otherwise not be able to attend. $2,000 of financial support from Island Queers and Allies Who Care would fully sponsor eight campers to attend for the entire week. $3,000 would almost sponsor all fourteen campers to attend Camp Kin!

Please elaborate on how your work or project will benefit the Queer community and how it enhances the community in two or more of these critical dimensions: Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility and Equality.: As educators in SD71, we have witnessed a lack of safe spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in elementary schools. The intermediate age group in particular is seeking connection and guidance in schools that are currently hostile or oblivious to the support needed. While Rainbow Clubs and various SOGI related activities are beginning to take shape in select schools, they are often inadequate for the scale of support needed. Camp Kin provides kids, many of whom have yet to experience or witness queer joy, with a chance to let their guard down and unapologetically be themselves.

Camp Kin is currently one of the only queer and trans focused camps for youth 10-13 in BC, and the only one north of Victoria. Last year, youth travelled from as far as Malcolm Island to attend. Camp Kin provides a fun, safe space for youth to connect with peers and show up as their full authentic selves. We provide inclusive swimming options and gender neutral facilities, honour pronouns and chosen names, make space to question identity, and celebrate all genders. We believe it is vital that campers see positive queer representation in our leadership team. Throughout the week we also host several inter-generational community members to role model queer excellence by sharing their skills, joy, and wisdom. We incorporate our diverse community to demonstrate to campers that they will thrive as adults too, not despite their queerness but because of it.

What is the estimated budget for the project that you are proposing or working on?: Our budget is $9,000 for one week of programming, which includes staffing costs ($4,000) and expenses ($5,000). Many of our expenses are provided by the Lake Park Society through in-kind donations (use of campground and equipment like canoes, kayaks, shade tents, crafting supplies, etc.). Our goal is to raise enough funds so that Lake Park Society can continue to offer this program at an accessible rate, with options for full or partial subsidies.

What are your other funding sources for this project (if applicable) ? Include approximate amounts if possible.: Our main funding source is from the Lake Park Society, who is providing in-kind support through equipment and staffing. We have received some private donations and voluntary support from community members. We are currently researching other funding options.

Tem McCutcheon, Stuart Higgs, Meika Johnson, and Genevieve Burdett of Camp Kin