Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of people come to 'Camp' Camp?
Where is Camp?
Is ‘Camp’ Camp at an actual summer camp?
What are the sleeping accommodations?
How do I get to Camp?
What time is Camp over?
What should I pack?
What hours are the Camp bar open?
Can I smoke at Camp?
Is this a sex camp?
Do I have to participate in all the activities offered at Camp?
How much extra money will I need?
I’m a gay man, and I don’t really know or hang out with lesbians. Is it really possible to have fun with a bunch of lesbians around all the time?
I’m a lesbian, and I don’t really know or hang out with gay men. Is it really possible to have fun with a bunch of gay guys around all the time?
Will I be able to get cell phone and Internet service at Camp?
The food at summer camp when I was a kid was always horrible. Are we going to eat franks & beans all week at Camp?
I’m not really very athletic. Will I still have fun at Camp?
I really love the idea of Camp, but my friends all think it sounds silly – and I can’t convince any of them to come with me. Can I come to Camp by myself?
What kind of people come to 'Camp' Camp?
Campers tend to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered people who like being active outdoors or like to do sports or explore their creative side. They also enjoy being around other people – even if they are a little intimidated by meeting lots of strangers. Campers like to meet new people, try new things, and challenge themselves.
Camp is usually attended by around 200 people, with a male/female ratio that is usually around 55% men and 45% women. (Our goal is always 50/50, however.) Campers come from all over the U.S. and Canada, as well as the occasional U.K. Camper. About 80% of our campers are single, and they range in age from 18 to their 70s, with most in their mid-30s to early 40s. Back to top
Where is camp?
'Camp' Camp is located several miles outside a Maine village called Kezar Falls. It is about a 2.5-hour drive from Boston and a 7-hour drive from New York City. The nearest airport is Portland International Airport in Portland, Maine, which is 45 minutes away. The nearest bus and train stations are also in Portland, Maine. Back to top
Is ‘Camp’ Camp at an actual summer camp?
‘Camp’ Camp leases a summer camp that caters to teens prior to our arrival. The campgrounds are quite beautiful. Situated between two lakes, the secluded property features quaint, rustic cabins and camp buildings in a stand of tall pines.
The grounds include a theater, a small weight-training center, five tennis courts, a basketball court, a sand volleyball court, studios for crafts and creative & performing arts, a climbing wall & adventure course, a large sports field and two sand beaches. At the center of camp is the Main Lodge with two levels of open interior space and a massive stone fireplace where we gather for meals and some evening activities. Click here to download a copy of the Camp Map. Back to top
What are the sleeping accommodations?
The camp that we lease has 25 cabins of varying sizes. These rustic pine cabins – each one re-christened for ‘Camp’ Camp with the name of a famous GLBT person such as Audre Lord, Greg Louganis, Barney Frank, or Ellen Degeneres - are shared by groups of 6-20 men or women. Women bunk with women, men with men. All cabins have bunk beds with foam mattresses and attached bathrooms, most with individual shower stalls. A few cabins are served by a shower house, again with individual shower stalls.
Based on your responses to a few simple questions in the ‘Accommodations’ section of the Camp Registration Form, we do our best to place you in a cabin with other compatible Campers: snorers with snorers, early risers with early risers, etc. While it certainly isn’t the Four Seasons, most Campers find the accommodations plenty comfortable for a week-long stay – and enjoy the fun and camaraderie of living communally for awhile. Back to top
How do I get to Camp?
Camp is accessible by plane, car or bus. If you want to fly to Camp, please arrange your schedule to arrive at Portland (Maine) International Airport between 1PM and 3PM on the first day of Camp. Camp provides drivers to pick you up at the airport and take you to Camp, a 45-minute drive away. There is no charge for this service. Sometimes Campers from the West Coast find it impossible to arrive during these times. For these special cases, Campers may arrive at Portland airport the afternoon prior to the first day of Camp. Again, shuttle service will be arranged. Rail and bus service is also available into Portland, Maine, and one of our drivers can pick you up at the Portland bus or train station as well.
You may also drive to Camp; we send out complete directions once you register. Our Transportation Manager can assist you in setting up carpools, as parking at Camp is limited. (For those first-time Campers who drive so that they can leave if they need or want to, don't worry – carpool or take the bus. We will take care of you.)
You can e-mail our Transportation Manager at
transportation@campcamp.com for other suggestions and assistance in planning your transportation to Camp. Back to top
What time is Camp over?
'Camp' Camp is over after brunch on the final day. The New York/Boston bus leaves at 9:30AM and arrives in Boston at 12:30PM and New York City at 5:30PM, depending on traffic.
Most Campers plan their flights to leave between 11AM and 3PM on the last day of Camp. Some West Coast Campers leave Camp as early as 6AM. Camp provides free shuttle service back to the airport.
Most people who are driving leave by noon. Back to top
What should I pack?
Pack so that you can go 7 days without doing laundry, as there are no laundry facilities at Camp. All dress is casual. (Don’t worry – it’s only Camp!) Maine weather is unpredictable, so dressing in layers is most practical. Click here for a downloadable detailed packing list.
Don’t forget your plane ticket, camera, notepad/journal & a pen, and a novel. If you think you might want to do Pottery or Crafts, bring a set of grubby clothes – you’ll get dirty. Some Campers like to bring fun/funky/flashy outfits, drag, or costumes for the Tea Dance, but if that’s not your thing – well… shorts and a t-shirt are perfect dancing clothes! And if you have room to squeeze in any old magazines you have, we can always use them for craft projects.
Please do NOT bring portable radios, ipods, large amounts of cash, or valuable watches or jewelry. Additionally, we ask that you NOT bring alcohol, non-prescription drugs, or weapons to Camp. Back to top
What hours are the Camp bar open?
Well, actually, we don’t have a Camp bar. ‘Camp’ Camp’s founder, Bill Cole, originally conceived of Camp as an alternative to alcohol- and sex-focused bars and other venues – a place where people could enjoy a different kind of environment than is typical in the GLBT community. Don’t worry, though; Camp is not a “dry” vacation. We do serve wine and beer at the Tea Dance and several of the other social events held during the week.
In an effort to maintain Bill’s original vision for Camp – as well as for liability and safety reasons and out of respect for those Campers in recovery – we do ask that everyone attending Camp abide by our official alcohol policy and limit their alcohol consumption to those events where alcohol furnished by Camp is served. We also ask that the alcohol served at these events remain at the event venue. Please: DO NOT BRING ALCOHOL TO CAMP. Non-prescription drugs (except over-the-counter medications) are also prohibited.
In short, if you are looking for a GLBT vacation that has a party atmosphere 24/7, Camp probably isn’t for you. Camp is loads of fun – but the fun is not focused on alcohol or drugs. Back to top
Can I smoke at Camp?
Yes. However, smoking is allowed in one designated area only. The camp buildings and forest surrounding the campgrounds are very dry and flammable by the end of the summer when we are on-site. So, we place several picnic tables in a grassy area near the center of Camp, add some ash receptacles, and this becomes our designated smoking area. You can’t miss it: it’s often gaily decorated (of course!) and there’s usually plenty of laughter and animated conversation, just about any time of the day or night.
The owners of the property and our insurance company require that ALL other areas of the campgrounds remain non-smoking, including the waterfront, cabins, and porches. We require everyone attending Camp to abide by this important rule. Back to top
Is this a sex camp?
No. While we certainly like to think of Camp as being sex-positive – our infirmary has condoms and dental dams available 24/7 – we are definitely NOT sex-focused. …C’mon – it’s a bunch of gay men and women running around together in the woods for a week, so we won’t lie to you and tell you the only activities happening are those found on the Activities Schedule. (There is a 24-hour hot tub, after all…!)
Also, if you are looking to commune with nature wearing nothing but your birthday suit all week, ‘Camp’ Camp really isn’t for you, either. Other than a few nighttime skinny dips, we are NOT a clothing-optional vacation.
Back to top
Do I have to participate in all the activities offered at Camp?
Absolutely not. You can do as much – or as little – as you want during your week at Camp. However, we have such a wide variety of activities (click here for a copy of last year’s Activities Schedule), we often have to tell first-time Campers to slow down a bit or they wear themselves out by the third day of Camp!
While Camp is structured a lot like summer camp was when you were a kid, your attendance is not required at any of the activities or events. However, we’ve learned over the years that certain activities (like our Adventure Course) can make your Camp experience more memorable, so we may strongly recommend you try certain activities or attend certain events. But, in the end, it’s your vacation and you can do whatever you please. So, if you want to spend your week sunning yourself at the waterfront all day and curled up in your bunk with a good book all night, be our guest! Back to top
How much extra money will I need?
We don’t recommend bringing large amounts of cash to Camp. Your registration fees cover your activities, meals, and lodging; however, there may be a few off-site trips or supply-heavy activities that require minimum additional fees of $30 or less.
Many Campers participate in our “Cashless ‘Camp’ Camp” program. You’ll receive a Cashless ‘Camp’ Camp form a month or so before Camp. Just fill it out and turn it in to the Camp Store Manager during Registration on the first day of Camp. Then, you can run a tab for any purchases you make during the week, from massages to Camp clothing and jewelry or that sundry personal item you forgot. It’s easy! And cashless! (You may also enroll in Cashless ‘Camp’ Camp by bringing a blank, signed check made payable to ‘Camp’ Camp with you to Registration to pay your Cashless ‘Camp’ Camp charges from your checking account.) Back to top
I’m a gay man, and I don’t really know or hang out with lesbians. Is it really possible to have fun with a bunch of lesbians around all the time?
You might be surprised. We’ve had many a gay man express their surprise at how much fun lesbians can be. (Besides, who else is going to show you how to throw a softball?)
Perhaps the following comments from a previous Camper Evaluation sum it up best: "As a gay man, I don't exactly surround myself with lesbians all the time. Not because of any animosity, but I just tend not to hang out in the same social circles. But at Camp, it's so different. We're all in it together. After several guys at the Closing Circle mentioned wanting to 'adopt' lesbians, two lesbians who I'd spend some time with during the week came up to me at different times that night and said they wanted to adopt ME. And the feeling was mutual. Doesn't get much better than that...!" Back to top
I’m a lesbian, and I don’t really know or hang out with gay men. Is it really possible to have fun with a bunch of gay guys around all the time?
See above. Reverse it. (Besides, who else is going to teach you all the words to the songs from Hairspray?) Back to top
Will I be able to get cell phone and Internet service at Camp?
Unfortunately not. Camp is located in a fairly remote area and it is difficult – if not impossible – to get a signal on your cell phone. Likewise, there are no computers available for Campers to access e-mail or the Internet. But don’t panic! You’re supposed to be on vacation, aren’t you? It’ll do you good to leave all that technology behind for a week!
Public phones are accessible in the Camp Office 24 hours a day. We recommend bringing a calling card if you anticipate needing to make phone calls during the week. (A limited number of calling cards will be available for purchase from the Camp Store.) A month or so before Camp begins, we also provide you with the number to our on-site Camp Office in Maine so that you can be reached in an emergency.
In past years, a few Campers who have brought their laptop computers with them have used the phone lines in the Camp Office to access dial-up Internet service. Back to top
The food at summer camp when I was a kid was always horrible. Are we going to eat franks & beans all week at Camp?
While the campgrounds and cabins at Camp are indeed like you remember from camp when you were young(er), our food is not. You’ll find no bug juice or Jell-O at ‘Camp’ Camp. Our chef makes a special effort to make all the food plentiful, healthy, and delicious. If you have special dietary requirements, let us know on your registration form; we'll do our best to take care of you.
Beginning in 2007, we will require a $25 surcharge from those Campers requiring vegan meals during Camp. This is not to be punitive to all you vegans out there. This surcharge is simply to help offset the somewhat costly task of having to prepare a limited number of vegan meals, while still offering vegan Campers tasty and attractive meals while at Camp. Back to top
I’m not really very athletic. Will I still have fun at Camp?
Definitely! We offer a wide variety of activities, so you’ll find something to interest you. And you aren’t required to participate in any of the activities, so you won’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Many Campers have a great time spending the whole week working on a Stained Glass project. Or you can just spend all day relaxing at the waterfront, chatting with friends, or sitting under a tree reading a book.
In addition, many people find that Camp is the perfect place to step outside their comfort zone and try something new, something they’ve always wanted to try – maybe even something they find a bit scary. For some Campers, that may be picking up a softball; for others, it’s appearing onstage in the Talent Show or making a piece of pottery. Our activities instructors and the rest of our staff are great at creating a supportive atmosphere that makes it easy for everyone to try something new. And have a great time in the process. Back to top
I really love the idea of Camp, but my friends all think it sounds silly – and I can’t convince any of them to come with me. Can I come to Camp by myself?
Of course! The majority of people who come to Camp do so on their own. We take excellent care of new Campers and schedule events early in the week to help everyone meet and get to know each other. Many first-time Campers say one of the most surprising things about Camp is just how welcoming everyone is and how easy it is to make friends.
In addition, about 60-70% of the people at Camp have been to Camp before and are very good at welcoming new folks to Camp. Everyone is also assigned to a Rainbow Group during Registration. Rainbow Groups are like little cross-sections of the Camp community: groups of 10-12 new and returning Campers and Staff, men and women of all ages, who meet to receive orientation information on the first evening of Camp and then serve as a daily check-in point each morning throughout the week. Rainbow Groups offer an easy way for you to get to know people quickly without the pressure of a large group setting.
So, just leave those unadventurous friends of yours at home. There are about 200 potential new friends waiting for you in Maine! Back to top
Want to see Camp for yourself? Watch our new 'Camp' Camp Video online.
