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Your trusty guide to navigating the CampOUT! experience!

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Hello Campers!

Thank you for being here— we are excited to share this experience with

you!

This is a guide to help you navigate and prepare for the camping experience.

Please take time to read the information on the following pages. This

program includes information about CampOUT! workshops, our

community’s gender inclusive approach, our non-negotiable rules, our

Community and Participation Agreements, and our camp schedule.

There is a large group of amazing individuals who are coming together to make camp

happen!

The CampOUT! Leadership Team is:

Camp Director: Anna White

Co-Facilitator: Ivan Leonce

Camp Assistant: Naheed Jadavji

Care Team:

Mental Health Worker: Ash Lake

Camp Nurses: Nesa Hamidi Tousi & Fin Gareau

Sexual Health Educators: Darren Ho & Fahmy Baharuddin Lifeguard: Sarah Lash

Cabin Leaders:

Axel McGown, Braydee Procillo, Ghada Dbouba, Harpreet Gill, , Jean Baptise, Kate

Sullivan, Kell Gerlings, Kit Pacilla, Tad Bain, vanessa bui

Community Mentors:

Arielle Baker, Laine Hughes, Shoshana Izsak, Akira Imai , Kyle Shaughnessy, Mary Ann

Saunders, Astri Jack, Harlan Pruden, Molly Billows, Listen Chen

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Our vision is a community where:

Each person’s individual journey is affirmed

Concepts of “normalcy” are challenged

All forms of diversity are celebrated

Learning happens in non-traditional (and fun!) ways.

We commit to take home our learnings to our home communities

Many kinds of leadership are explored, encouraged, and developed

Friendships are fostered

Personal growth is supported

We are agents of change

Goals for CampOUT!

1 Create a space where folks can bring their whole selves

2 Cultivate a deeper self-awareness in our leadership practices

3 Celebrate and affirm courageous risk taking

4 Connect with each other and the land

5 FUN! FUN! FUN!!!!!

In order for all participants to have equal access to the benefits of the camp, the five

following ground rules are non-negotiable:

CampOUT! is a sober space. This means that no drugs or alcohol are permitted

at camp.

CampOUT! is a sex positive, but sex-free environment. No sexual activity will

be permitted at camp.

CampOUT! will not tolerate harmful, disrespectful, or inappropriate behaviour.

CampOUT! participants will respect the agreed-upon curfew.

CampOUT! participants and staff will respect the facility and rules of our host

Camp Fircom.

*Anyone who breaks one of these ground rules will be sent home immediately at their own

expense.

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Curiosity Launched the Cat!

Let’s nurture our curiosity and wonder about

ourselves,

all living beings,

and the systems we exist in!

Let’s support one another to adjust our focus,

get new perspective, discover possibilities, make connections, fuel up for the

journey, and celebrate our many differences!

All while learning amazing things from each other and activating

knowledge into action….

creating space for others to beam at camp and in our home communities!

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In order for all participants to have equal access to the benefits of the camp, I

understand and will agree to the following:

I accept responsibility for taking care of my health and wellness by getting

adequate sleep and nourishment.

I commit to full participation in all camp programming to the best of my ability.

I will keep all personal electronic usage to a minimum in order to participate

fully in the camp experience.

I am aware that I will be assigned a cabin group and leader according to my age

category.

I am aware that cabins and washrooms will be inclusive of all genders.

I will inform my leader, the Care Team, or the Camp Director about any

problems/issues that may arise for me at camp.

I understand that I will not be permitted to leave the camp for any non -

CampOUT! organized recreational purposes, nor will friends who are not

registered at camp be permitted on site.

I understand that CampOUT! strives to create a physically and emotionally safe

environment.

I understand that this is a sex positive, but sex-free environment. No sexual

activity will be permitted.

I will not use alcohol or other substances during the camp.

I will respect myself and fellow CampOUT! participants, leaders, staff, and

volunteers by being aware of my language and actions.

I will respect the facility hosting CampOUT!

I agree to respect the non-negotiables in order to help create an inclusive space

for all participants.

I will abide by the Community Agreement.

Gender Inclusive cabins, bathrooms, and waterfront!

Gender inclusivity offers us ways to engage with one another person to person. At

CampOUT! we offer an opportunity to develop mature, communicative, and respectful

relationships with one another across all gender spectrums!

We organize sleeping arrangements by age groups rather than gender experience.

Our bathrooms and cabins are gender inclusive. Privacy needs do not depend on our

gender identity.

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There are bathrooms in a central location, and all showers and toilet stalls are private.

Cabins can set up change rooms in their cabins for additional privacy. There will be

opportunities to talk about this gender inclusive approach in more detail at camp.

In solidarity with cis women and trans folks, everyone wears tops at camp for sports

and swimming. Please bring a shirt you feel comfy in for this, and we will have a

customizing shirt/decorating station!

An opportunity to relax your

phone use: Camp is a nice place

to put down your phone and enjoy

spending time with new and old

friends, exploring, learning, and

experiencing nature. Challenge

yourself to go 3 or 4 days without

texting!

No Wi-Fi: let your friends and

family know you probably won’t be

posting much while you’re away.

There is service at the camp.

Be Respectful: bring earphones if

you need to listen to music to fall

asleep.

Ask Consent: Always ask people

if you can take their picture and if

it’s alright for you to post that

picture.

Practice presence: community

building can be an intense

experience that is hard to describe

to others. Stay in the moment and wait until you get home before sharing pictures

or stories. This will allow you to really reflect on your experience.

Ask us if you have needs: The camp staff can send an email to parents/caregivers

to let them know you have arrived safely and are enjoying yourself. They will worry

a lot less if they receive a quick but official message from us.

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On Friday evening, we will have the CampOUT! Community Celebration! This is an

opportunity for campers and cabins to get creative and “come out” as creative forces

to the group by sharing some of their unique skills, abilities, jokes, talents, stories,

poetry, drag performances, tap dancing, acting abilities, or any other entertaining,

inspiring, or thought provoking tidbits that folks would like to put together for the

showcase! Try some collaboration!

Take a deep breath, ask your leader or a new friend for the support you need to share

a bit of your unique self, and have a blast with this great opportunity! And sign up!

Programming Streams:

1. Leadership: Empowerment, skill development, critical thinking, and mentoring to

foster leadership for social change. There are lots of ways to ‘lead’!

2. Community Building: Education and skill development to cultivate community

involvement. Let’s cultivate healthy communities!

3. Arts & Performance: Engagement in personal and collaborative creative arts

opportunities. Arts for all kinds of creative creatures!

4. Health: Gain tools for helpful self-care practices, body & mind wellness, healthy

relationships, communication, setting boundaries, sexuality, gender identity, and

responsible sexual practices. Yeah!

5. Fun Camp Activities: Engage with a campy camping environment through

swimming, hikes, games, canoeing, nature walks, campfires, arts & crafts, music, skits,

and more!

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Community Building Workshops:

Am I Two-Spirit? —with Kyle

Workshop for Indigenous youth who may be wondering what exactly Two-Spirit

means, and if this is something they identitfy with.

Adventures through Time & Space: Exploring Your Identity – with Akira

Do you want to let your inner Time Lord explore the universe? Come for a exciting

workshop that taps into your own special kind of magic and get imaginative about

where that can lead you on an adventure through time and space.

Tell Us How You Really Feel – with Laine, Akira, Kyle & Listen

Being trans is awesome but it doesn't always feel that way. In this trans-exclusive

facilitated group discussion participants are encouraged to both share with and listen

to each other, as we discuss our various life and gender journeys. The workshop is a

judgement free zone, and anyone who identifies as trans, whatever that means to you,

is welcome to participate.

QTIBIPOC Space: TBA

You’ve got a Friend in me – with Arielle

Do you feel like you always say exactly the wrong thing when a friend confides in you?

Do you get uncomfortable when someone cries in front of you? Or do you feel

burned out from all your friends and acquaintances constantly asking you for advice

and support? We can all play a really important role in caring for our communities, but

this work is often difficult, draining, and unrecognized. It also often falls on the

feminine people in a community to take on this labour without it being reciprocated.

In this workshop, depending on the group’s interests, we’ll talk about things like

supporting our friends and community members in sustainable ways, how to approach

boundary setting in new and established relationships, and we’ll build some concrete

skills in active listening.

Arts & Performance Workshops:

Collaborative Print Making – with Astri

Join your fellow artists in a collaborative printmaking project! Make your own linocut

(basically a fancy stamp) that describes your curious self, then see the magic happen

when we print them into a single art piece that you get to take home to remember

CampOut! 2017 forever! You can also keep your individual linocut to make prints at

home.

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Collective Poetry- with Molly

Free-write and create a collective poem together on a theme (such as reflecting on

our time at camp)- great opportunity for youth to perform together at the community

showcase.

Makeup Workshop & Skill-Share — with Shoshana

From radical drag to just-out-of-bed looks and everything in between, let's talk about

makeup! Come join us in a group discussion about the subtle or dramatic ways we use

makeup to express ourselves. If you want to talk about makeup inspirations or

navigating gendered expectations around makeup, this group is for you. After the

conversation we'll break up into small groups and learn specific makeup techniques

from each other. No experience with makeup necessary. Feel free to bring your own

makeup if you want!

Making Dreamcatchers – with Harlan

NOT YR ENGLISH 12 — with Listen

Are Chaucer, Shakespeare, & Wordsworth getting you down? In this workshop we'll

be reading poems that don't make it into English classrooms, with special attention to

work by gutsy QTBIPOC poets. We'll engage with language from a place that centers

our bodies & our experiences, & we'll dare each other to think critically about how

poetry works & what it puts at stake.

Outdoor Art- with Molly

Create collaborative art using things we find in nature.

SPACE LAUNCH – Watercolor Style – with Astri

Learn cosmic techniques to create a glittering, mesmerizing, start-studded spacescape

(or a space cat!?). This is an always-awesome, easy-but-satisfying, and super impressive

project. At the end you will have a beautiful piece to take home that your hamster

AND your instagram followers will <3

SUBVERSIVE VERSE MAKING — with Listen

Are you interested in exploring the limits of what a poem can be? Curious about ways

of "writing" that are more like sculpting, montaging, or even, unwriting? In this

workshop we'll be experimenting with language to create erasure poems. This will give

experienced writers a chance to break out of their comfort zone, & new writers a

chance to break through some of their inhibitions. Come discover that your inner

poet may look differently than you thought it would!

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Sewing (for) Your Self — with Mary Ann

Curious about how to sew your own clothes? Want to know how to tear apart and

remake items you already have? Sewing is an amazing way to explore your sense of self

and identity, and to be able to let the world see who you are. In this workshop, you’ll

learn basic sewing machine skills and use them to make one of several projects. These

might include: (a) A bag which you can custom-size for your needs, making it small

enough to hold your journal or sketchbook, or big enough to take all your stuff to the

beach. (b) A combo beach blanket/cover-up. Perfect for camp! Fits all bodies and

genders! Incredibly simple to make! (c) A necktie, which I’ll even show you how to tie.

(d) Boxers! Or, if you have your own vision of what you’d like to sew, we’ll work

together to make it come true. The workshop is limited to eight people, but the

sewing area will remain open throughout camp, so there will be plenty of

opportunities to sew (and chat) together. Please come on by!

Leadership Workshops:

AMP It Up - An Aboriginal and Two-Spirit Media Training. — with Harlan

AMP it UP is a practical, hands-on, media training/workshop to develop, strengthen

and support work with media outlets. –

Anti-Racism for White Folks – TBA

Camp Wide Sessions: THEME STREAM –with Anna, Ivan & Molly

Intro to Land Acknowledgements – with Harlan

Why and how do we do and need them?

T is for Term – with EVERYONE!

Help us create a living poster library of terminologies that can educate and inspire us

all, prompt conversations, and demonstrate the ongoing magic of identity exploration

and language creativity!

Health Workshops:

In A Good Way: Healthful Decision-Making and the Seven Sacred

Teachings– with Kyle

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Youth are invited to workshop major or minor life decisions using the Seven Sacred

Teachings as a guide: acting with humility, love, respect, wisdom, honesty, truth, and

courage.

HIV 101 – with Darren & Fahmy

What is HIV anyways? How is it different from AIDS? What do we need to know

about transmission, testing, and treatment? This workshop will cover the basics, while

also unpacking myths and stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS. Together, we’ll explore

strategies to end HIV stigma and build skills for allyship and activism!

Sexual Health & Wellbeing – with Darren & Fahmy

When it comes to sex and relationships, there are lots of messed-up scripts we’re

expected to follow. Bummer! But in reality, sexuality is infinitely diverse. There’s no

normal!!! In this workshop, we’ll build tools to increase our sexual well-being, get in

touch with our own desires and boundaries, communicate our wants and needs, and

form positive relationships with ourselves and others.

Sexual Health Q&A – with Darren, Fahmy, and Nesa

Whether we're doing it, thinking about it, or couldn't care less, we all have the right to

learn about sex and sexual health. But it can be hard to get information that’s accurate

and relevant! Here's your chance! Drop your questions about sex, sexuality, and sexual

health in the box, and we’ll gather as a whole camp to learn from each other’s

questions and get information that’s non-judgmental and inclusive!

Fun & Campy Workshops/Activities:

Camp Craft – with Laine

Learn tips and tricks for building a safe and responsible fire while camping, how to

select an ideal tent site, and ways to help animal-proof your camp.

Forest Games – with Molly

Connecting to land and deepening our senses by playing games in the forest- deer ears,

eagle eyes etc.

LOL Factory – with Shoshana

A joke-writing workshop for planning lols, and talking about making inclusive comedy.

Swimming & Open Waterfront – Lifeguard

The beautiful (and super gender inclusive and body positive!) beach will be open for

swimming, hanging out or checking out tide pools and sea life (and seeing seals

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splashing!) every morning at 7:30 am and at other points of the day! Participants are

encouraged to bring along water shoes, comfortable swim wear & sketch pads and/or

journals for reflection at the beach.

Wednesday July 5

10:00AM Check-in @ Horseshoe Bay

11:00 AM Load Water Taxi and depart for camp!

12:00 PM Arrive – games in field

12:30 PM LUNCH!

1:30 – 2:30 PM

Cabin Time: Cabin Agreements

2:45 PM Orientation: Welcome to CampOUT!

Land Acknowledgment, Site History, Theme Intro, Name Game,

Community Agreements, Milling/icebreakers, and Meet the

Leadership Team!

4:00 PM SNACK BREAK

4:30 PM Camp Tour:

Care Cabin, Picnic Shelter, Canoe Cove, Campfire Ring, Campfire Rock,

Blackberry Beach, Two-Sisters, Breezeway, Garden, Forest Theatre,

Orchard, Archery Field

5:30 PM DINNER

Leadership Meeting (1/2 team)

7:00 – 8:30 PM CAMP WIDE SESSION: Theme Stream

8:30 – 9:30 PM Camp Fire & Mug Up

9:30 – 10 PM Get ready for bed & bedtime meds

10 – 10:30PM Cabin Time & morning session sign-up

10:30 PM Quiet time

11:00 PM Lights OUT!

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Thursday July 6

7:00 – 7:30 AM Early wake up & optional morning activities (morning

swim/stretching/yoga/shower/cedar brushing)

7:30 AM Wake up!

8:30 BREAKFAST

9:15 Cabin tidy-up

10:30 Workshops

Leadership stream

You’ve Got a Friend (Arielle)

Community stream

Tell us How you Really Feel (Akira, Kyle, Laine & Listen)

Arts stream

Sewing (for) Yourself (Mary Ann)

Dream Cathchers (Harlan)

Health stream

Sexual Health & Well-Being (YouthCO)

Campy stream:

Forest Games (Molly)

Canoeing (Sarah)

12:00 Free Time

12:30 – 1:15 PM LUNCH

Leadership Meeting (1/2 team)

2:15 PM Gather at Jubilee Hall

2:15 - 3:45 PM Workshops

Leadership stream

LOL Factory (Shoshana)

Community stream

Am I Two-Spirit? (Kyle)

Arts stream

Print Making (Astri)

Not Your English 12 (Listen)

Health stream

HIV 101 (YouthCO)

Campy stream

Camp Craft (Laine)

Swimming Lessons (Sarah)

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3:45 SNACK BREAK

4:00 – 5:15 PM COMMUNITY BUILDING THROUGH UNDERSTANDING: Affinity

& Allyship Spaces

QTBIPOC Community Building & Resource Sharing

Witnessing Whiteness: Anti-racism workshop for white folks

5:30 – 6:30 PM DINNER

6:30 – 7:30 PM Free Time / Optional Activities

7:30 – 8:30 PM

CAMP WIDE SESSION: Theme Stream

8:30 – 8:45 Mug Up (Hot chocolate)

8:45 – 9:30 PM Catching Dreams Camp Fire

9:30 – 10:30 PM Cabin Time & morning session sign-up

10:30 PM Quiet time

11:00 PM Lights OUT!

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Friday July 7

7:00 – 7:30 AM Early wake up & optional morning activities (morning swim/paddle

boarding/stretching/ smudge/yoga/showering)

7:30 AM Wake up!

8:30 – 9:15 AM BREAKFAST

9:15 AM Cabin tidy-up

9:30 AM CAMP WIDE SESSION: Theme Stream

10:30 – Noon Workshops

Leadership stream

Amp IT Up (Harlan)

Community stream

Adventures through Time & Space (Akira)

Arts stream

Space Art (Astri)

Subversive Verses (Listen)

Health stream

In a Good Way (Kyle)

Campy stream

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Make-up Workshop & Skill Share (Shoshana)

12:00 Free Time / Family groups

12:30 – 1:15 PM LUNCH

1:15 – 2:30 PM Q&A: Let’s talk about Sex & Relationships!

2:30 – 3:00 PM Optional continuation of Q&A / field games / Arts & Crafts

3:00 – 4:00 PM FREE TIME: Open Waterfront / Cabin Celebration preparations

4:00 – 4:15 PM SNACK

4:15 – 5:15 PM FREE TIME: Celebration rehearsal in Jubilee Hall

Leadership Team Meeting 1/2 team

5:30 – 6:30 PM DINNER

6:30 – 7:00 PM Community Celebration Prep

7:00 – 9:00 PM Community Celebration!!!

9:00 – 9:30 PM SNACK/BREAK

9:30 – 10:30 PM Dance!!

10:30 PM Stargazing or Night walk

11:00 PM Cabin Time

Midnight Lights OUT!

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Saturday July 8

7:00 AM Sleeping

7:30 AM Wake up & pack up

8:00 – 9:00 AM Cabin & Camp Clean up

9:00 – 9:45 AM BREAKFAST

10:00 – 10:15 AM Group Photo! / Lost & Found

10:15 – 11AM Cabin Circle (and camp evaluations)

11AM – 12 PM Camp Closing

Continuing to build connections and explore healthy relationships beyond

camp!

12:00 – 12:30 PM QUICK LUNCH

12:30 – 12:45 PM Walk to dock

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1:00 – 1:30 PM

2:00-2:30 PM

Boats Depart Gambier Island

Arrival in Horseshoe Bay…campers going home with new friends

and resources and spreading the camp love all over BC!

Strategies for Self-Care at Camp & Beyond!

1. Do art – pencil drawings, paint, sculpt, anything you enjoy.

2. Curl up on a couch with a book from the CampOUT! library.

3. Write – keep a journal with poetry, art, and thoughts which help to process

and release strong feelings.

4. Humor – read a funny book, watch a comedy, or listen to a podcast.

5. Cuddle something – like a blanket, pillows, or a favorite stuffed toy.

6. Exercise – walk, go dancing, or try yoga.

7. Recall what positive coping strategies have been helpful before. Put

them in your phone, with a daily alarm to remind you to use them.

8. Do things as it feels OK, and feel empowered to say “no” if it feels like too

much.

9. Check in with a safe person at camp when you need to talk.

10. Relaxation techniques – such as focusing on your breathing or visualization

(thinking about a magical place that makes you happy).

11. Sleep! Come to camp well rested and take advantage of quiet hours to

recharge with the wonders of sleeping!

http://campout.ubc.ca/