Chicago Tribune, Sunday, March 25, 2001

“Summer camp in Maine caters to gay and lesbian adults”

By Eric J. Tuchelske, Special to the Tribune

KEZAR FALLS, MAINE — Who says you can’t relive your childhood – even if you’re gay? Rather than ignore that part of your past, Bill Cole, co-director of 'Camp' Camp, actually encourages such behavior.

“This is a place where people can be themselves,” Cole, 53, explains from his office in Boston. “People really just want to have a good experience here.”

The idea for a camp catering to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people came half a decade ago while Cole was attending a men’s retreat in Provincetown, Mass. At a workshop on making your dreams come true, Cole shared his dream of a camp for gay grownups with the participants.  

Soon 35 people were willing to help him see his idea come to life.

As a former director for a kids camp and volunteer for the American Camping Association, Cole had plenty of experience as a camper and thought the hardest part of bringing his dream to life would be finding a campsite that would lease him the time. Cole found that to be the easiest part of his journey.

“I went to a friend of mine in Maine who runs a camp for teenagers, and I ‘came out’ to him, telling him I wanted to run a camp for gay and lesbian adults.  I asked him if he knew of anyone that would lease me a camp.  He said, ‘Bill, why not me?’ So, I wrote up a brochure and started to place ads for the camp.”

Thus, 'Camp' Camp was born.

Since its freshman year in 1996, Kezar Falls has been home to the camp.  There were 80 campers that first year.  Last year there were 205 campers, most of them in their late 20s to early 40s.

Campers are not subjected to a strict regimen, but they are encouraged to participate in the numerous activities offered. It also helps Cole determine which activities work.

“Everything is on a voluntary basis. Even though there are a lot of activities going on, campers can choose to visit with newfound friends, canoe, attend a pottery class. It’s whatever they want to do.”

He does stress that people can’t do it all. “In the past, we’ve had campers sign up for everything – and realize that by the end of the day, they’re too wiped out!  We have some pre-breakfast classes, and as the week goes on, the participation level decreases since people start sleeping later and later.”

When the sun goes down, don’t expect to go to bed right after dinner. Activities are also planned for the evening and have included square dancing, a talent show and campfires.

Cole likes the fact that everyone gets to know their fellow campers. When campers arrive, they are asked to make a “buddy bag” (mailbox), which is placed in the main dining hall. Throughout the week, campers have the opportunity to send and receive notes to fellow campers.

Campers are also assigned to smaller “Rainbow Groups” of 8 to 10, each with its own colored hankie.

Those old enough to remember camp movies like “Little Darlings” can expect the same type of secluded setting, communal showers, pranks on other campers, and a possible crush or two on the counselors. And, of course, there are bunk beds in the cabins.

Potential campers should be aware that they could experience a few sprains, cuts, or bruises. A nurse is on the site to assist with any minor problems that may occur.

And campers should expect to get dirty.

“'Camp' Camp isn’t really for the hair blower type.” Cole says with a laugh.  “One night during announcements, one of the campers stood up and said that she looked better in clean clothes, but she had already gotten all of them dirty. That’s just the way it is. There’s no pretense, and people aren’t trying to look good. It’s not about trying to look pretty. At camp, people get to be real with each other.

“One camper from New York thought that this would be people ‘pretending’ to be camping. It’s not. Everything’s real, and this is reality.”

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