If you are looking for a fun and unique one-time LGBTQ+ vacation, ‘Camp’ Camp is, of course, the perfect choice. But many people find Camp is much more than just another gay vacation: it’s an amazing, ongoing community of fun & friendly queer folks of all ages, backgrounds, gender identities, and interests from across the globe.
Whether your decide to make your week at Camp super-active or totally chill (or somewhere in-between), you’ll spend the week as part of our friendly, supportive community of LGBTQ+ singles & couples — and make new, lifelong friends! It doesn’t matter if you’re an introvert or extrovert, the welcoming smiles you’ll find at Camp will make you feel at home in short order. You may come to Camp not knowing anyone else, but our Campers are some of the most open and welcoming queer folks on the planet, so you’ll make fast friends in no time.
more than just a vacation
Since its inception, Camp has grown into a community of people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, or somewhere in between (and, yes, a few even identify as straight) who also enjoy a variety of social, athletic, and cultural activities together throughout the year.
While our week-long gay summer camp is our flagship event, the Camp community stays in touch and gathers for other smaller, Camper-planned events throughout the year. Whether it’s dinner and a Broadway show in Manhattan, Sunday brunch in Los Angeles, or a relaxing afternoon amble through the woods of Massachusetts, Camp offers an opportunity to be part of a fun and friendly LGBTQ+ community from all over the U.S. — not to mention Canada, the U.K., and beyond — who come together throughout the year to enjoy the company of the friends they made while having the best time ever during one late-summer week in Maine.
And when COVID forced us to pivot to virtual, summer camp-inspired offerings, many of our Campers (and some never-been-to-Camp folks who joined us virtually) told us their virtual ‘Camp’ Camp experiences helped them through the isolation of the pandemic. The fact that gathering over Zoom didn’t seem to dim any of the fun, camaraderie, and encouragement that keeps our Campers coming back to Camp time & again was a welcomed surprise — and speaks to the amazing community the ‘Camp’ Camp experience has fostered.
the people & the place are why
Not many other vacation destinations can boast of an annual return rate of over 75% — but ‘Camp’ Camp can. What brings people back to Camp time and again? Well, when we ask our new Campers what surprises them most about Camp, the response we hear more than any other is “the people.” And when we ask our returning Campers why they’ll be coming back, the most popular answer is again “the people.”
Not many other vacation destinations can boast of an annual return rate of over 75% — but ‘Camp’ Camp can. What brings people back to Camp time and again? Well, when we ask our new Campers what surprised them most about their Camp experience, the response we hear most often is the same reason our returning Campers give as to why they keep coming back: the people.
Additionally, unlike other adult summer camps, ‘Camp’ Camp is an entire week long, not just a quick three or four days. Our extended sleep-away summer camp experience — unplugging (literally) in a gorgeous, outdoor environment where the support & encouragement to both be yourself and to try something new & challenging are the norm — simply facilitates real, true connections between people of all ages, gender identities, and socioeconomic status, the kind of genuine, personal connections that seem to be sorely lacking in today’s tech-obsessed world.
don’t just take our word for it
Here’s what some recent first-year Campers had to say:
‘Camp’ Camp was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had, and I will be back every year. I have never experienced such a sense of community, support, love, candor, and friendship. The queer community and the larger world can be devastatingly brutal at times especially for those of us who already suffer from a lack of confidence or self-worth. I will be forever grateful for finding my kind. – Sean B. (he/him), Reisterstown, MD
Everyone at camp was amazing! I finally feel like I found my family! … I was looking for a community and so glad I found it! — Tyler A. (he/him), Washington, DC
My coworker told me about it and it sounded absolutely amazing. I couldn’t miss this opportunity and I’m glad I didn’t. It was so nice to be off my phone and making connections with everyone. … I was looking for a soul family and to feel seen. I found what I’m looking for and I don’t plan to leave. – Adam H. (he/she/they), Lodi, NJ
It may be the most important positive experience in my life. … Everything was so thought out and well planned. I had a vegan meal plan and the food was perfect. — Caralee I. (she/her), Tucson, AZ
I found the community wonderfully inclusive and intentional and it was life-changing to spend the week in that. … My favorite thing was impromptu deep and meaningful conversations that happened all the time, in Rainbow Group, at meals, and at activities with folks with diverse identities, ages, and lived experiences. I loved meeting folks I had a lot in common with and folks who I didn’t. — Aren L. (they/them), Gloucester, MA
As a first year and a bisexual, I was worried about being othered and not queer enough during the week or too big and loud. While I did have moments of not knowing anyone and worrying about being included or too much, NOT ONE PERSON made me feel separate and othered. I was welcomed with a smile and encouragement every single time I asked to sit at a table for a meal or a craft or a game. — Mel A. (she/her), Colonial Beach, VA
This was the best experience of my life. I wish I had come to Camp much sooner. — Randy H. (he/him), Raytown, MO
Thank you all for making a safe and inclusive space for us to connect. It’s clear that after 27 years this crew has honed the camp to offer a lot of really valuable, inclusive details to make it a comprehensively lovely experience. — Andre R. (he/she/they), New York, NY
My favorite thing that happened was walking to breakfast on Wednesday and starting to skip. I don’t skip. I hate skipping. But I noticed that I did that, and I was like, shittttt, I’m so happy right now… – CJ W. (he/him), Berwick, PA
I was continuously surprised, daily, that every person I encountered was genuinely invested in making sure everyone felt included and loved. I fell into fast friendships and that doesn’t happen often. It really was the best time ever. – Nicole V. (she/her), Bangor, ME
It really did exceed my already high expectations. I felt like a kid, but this time without the bullying. I’m 61 and felt completely comfortable. No story. Just my feelings. To quote the song, I had the time of my life. Thank you. – David G. (he/him), Avondale Estates, GA
It really exceeded all expectations!! I can’t really think of much that I would change about my Camp experience, I really liked it all and was impressed by everything. …the social aspect of everything and just getting to hang out with everyone around Camp was the best part to me. – Finley W. (they/them), Yorktown, VA
‘Camp’ Camp has woken up the joys of living, of experiencing life, of socializing with people, all sorts of innocence lost with age and work. – Kat L. (they/them), Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
This was one of the best weeks of my life. No drama, no gimmicks, just fun and love and acceptance. I came in knowing no one and left with 200+ new friends. I want to bring all my queer friends so they can all have their own unique and wonderful experiences at this wonderful queer utopia. – Olivia R. (she/her), Lancaster, PA
For the first time in my 44 years, I found a place, a people, where I belong. I BELONG! I FIT IN! OMG I’m ALWAYS the outcast, the lone wolf, the misfit. I’ve grown accustomed to it. I march to a different drum. But at ‘Camp’ Camp, EVERYONE does. We are all beautiful, loving misfits, and I was seen, truly seen, for the first time ever. …You can go your whole life without ever finding that. – Aletha G. (she/her), Colonial Beach, VA
I decided to attend without any expectations. If I had had any expectations, they would have all been exceeded. This has been an experience of a lifetime. I have no words to describe the amazing experience. All I have is gratitude. – Jose V. (he/him), Harrisburg, PA
