Unplug and relax within a friendly, supportive community of LGBTQ singles and couples—and make new, lifelong friends! Whether 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 LGBTQ folx on the planet, so you’ll make fast friends in no time.
more than just a vacation
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 ongoing community of fun & friendly LGBTQ folx of all ages, backgrounds, gender identities, and interests from across the globe.
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, social networking sites such as Facebook have made it easy for the Camp community to stay in touch and gather for other smaller, Camper-planned events throughout the year. And when COVID forced us to pivot to virtual, summer camp-inspired offerings, many of our Campers (and the never-been-to-Camp folx who joined us virtually) told us their virtual ‘Camp’ Camp experiences helped them through the isolation of the pandemic.
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.
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.”
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:
I was amazed at the skill and talent of the instructors. …I can’t thank you enough for this amazing and special place, ‘Camp’ Camp. I understand why most everyone comes back year after year and calls it a family.
– Amy L., New Paltz, NY
I was surprised by the camaraderie of the Campers and the warm welcome that I received from almost everyone. I never expected to make so many knew friends in just a few short days!
– Howard C., New York, NY
I felt very welcome and included. … I got to try many new things and now have many new friends. The little acts of kindness made the week magical. Someone loaned me a hat for the Barn Dance, someone took my pillow home and said they would store it and bring it back for me next year, lots of smiles and hugs and words of encouragement. Those kinds of things.
– Jan G., Clearwater, FL
I was blown away at the diversity of the Campers and how everyone was made to feel valued and welcome. I was so touched by how people reached a hand out to anyone who seemed to struggle or was having a hard time. It was truly a beautiful week where I constantly saw people being included and made to feel at home.
– Rich B., Arlington, MA
I’m not a terribly social person and large groups can make me uncomfortable. That being said, I never felt safer in a group of people so quickly before.
– Shelley D., Nashville, TN
My friends never stop talking about it, and now I know why!
– Jason S., Brooklyn, NY
I made friendships that really opened up a part of me that was closed down, and I was reminded of how important it is to be surrounded by the Queer community. I live in a Queer desert, and because of that, I had to close off part of my heart. It was a very thought provoking experience for me and has made me reevaluate my life, what I want, what I need, what’s most important to me. I’m so grateful to you for creating Camp Camp.
– Juliet S., Livermore, CA
From the moment I stepped out of my car at ‘Camp’ Camp until I reached the end of the driveway leaving, I was overwhelmed by the caring, kindness, and unconditional love given to me by every single person I met. There was never one uncomfortable moment of judgment, not one unkind word spoken to me or ever a spirit of negativity experienced by me while I was there! … I left healed, revived, burning inside to share unconditional love again with a world in desperate need.
– Bron G., Wichita, KS
I loved it! The activities, the scenery, the people, the experiences.
– Rachel W., Cedar Park, TX
“I loved my week at ‘Camp’ Camp. …There are so many things that made my week at summer camp special and wonderful. Top of the list is the community of the fellow campers. I found a new family and made great new friends. This is a welcoming place and I feel blessed to have found it. … I cannot wait to go back to ‘Camp’ Camp next summer!
– Doug S., Arleta, CA
