Camp Rainbow is chance for freedom for trans and gender-diverse youth, say organizers

The summer camp experience is a quintessential part of somechildhoods, and since2017Camp Rainbow has been creating those experiences for transgender, two-spirit andgender-diverse children in Newfoundland and Labrador.

For people like Robin Peters, it's a chance to be free.

"I really enjoy camping. I was involved in Scouts for many years, from Beavers up to Ventures, actually, but there was alwayssort of a disconnect from that, for me, as a trans person growing up," Peters said.

"[Camp Rainbow] was freeing. I felt like I didn't have to hide any part of myself and it felt like we all understood each other on that level. That made for your typical summer camp experience."

Peters was one of the camp's first campers. This year she's back as a counsellor.

Camp Rainbow is back again this summer for another three-day camp in June.

WATCH | This camp co-founder says it brings peace of mind to kids and parents:

This summer camp is a comfort for N.L. transgender kids and their parents

6 months ago

Duration 0:59

Camp Rainbow is a typical camp experience in many ways, says co-founder Julie Temple. She says the welcoming and encouraging space is helpful for trans youth in Newfoundland and Labrador to connect with others, which in turn is reassuring to their parents.

"COVIDwas a little hiccup in there but we're really excited to come back again this year," co-founder Julie Temple told CBCNewson Wednesday.

"We actually have a generous grant from United Way that's going to allow us to offer Camp Rainbow for free this year, which is great. So no charge to the campers."

Temple said the reception from the public has been positive from the start. Families would tell her their kids were feeling isolated, she said, so being able to come together for a camping adventure in the summer wasa great stress release.

"To be able to just play and have fun and be outdoors, have a community with other trans youth as well as meet trans adults and have those mentors and role models has been really huge," Temple said.

"So we've had a great response and lots of support from the community."

Stress-free

Temple said Camp Rainbow is more important than evertoday. Tenyears ago, parents would have fears when their child would come out as trans, she said, but it was mainly due to a lack of available information.

Today, she said, it's more difficult.

"With the increase in anti-trans hate there's also a lot more stereotypes out there, there's a lot more myths that people are coming forward with," she said.

"So there's a lot of stressors on trans youth, and one of the most important things for us about Camp Rainbow is this is a place to get away from that stress."

This year's camp is for kids between 10 and 15years old.Registration is open until Tuesday.

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