Last Words
“My favorite part of A-Camp was the experience of looking around at 300 ridiculously attractive people. And then remembering that EVERYONE was queer. And then knowing that everyone was kind.”
“I have long admired the queer community from afar, but was either closeted or felt too rejected to participate much. At A-Camp I felt like full-on me, and people liked me! They wanted to be my friends, and they wanted to kiss me and date me!”
“Even if you don’t read Autostraddle, there is a place for you at camp. I think at its base, A-Camp is about letting everyone be themselves and have an absolute blast. For others, it’s a life changing experience of getting to be loved for who they are for the first time. That’s why I want all my queer friends to go to A-Camp.”
“I would recommend camp because it’s one of the most positive, affirming, eye-opening, fun experiences a queer can have, if you throw as much of yourself into it as the staff and other campers do.”
“A-Camp is something that every queer girl should experience at least once (although, let’s be honest, there’s no “just one time” with A-camp). It’s a profound experience, being surrounded by supportive people who will accept you just as you are. Until the “real world” does this, A-camp is absolutely necessary.”
“In addition to being well-run and offering kick-ass activities all the time with awesome counselors, the other campers’ perspectives and passions and kindness and diversity are fucking inspiring.”
“My favorite parts of A-Camp were Laneia bandaging up my cut, Marni teaching me how to open a beer bottle with a lighter, dancing with Lizz, being cross faded on the swings, pool party… everything basically.”
“The best part of camp for me was the staff and the other campers. Everyone that works so hard on making camp happen, and all of us that attend, make it the magical place that it is… Coming back to this camp felt like coming home. For five days I felt supported and understood, which are things I never get to experience where I live or from my family. Camp is the safest space I have ever found, as well as so much more, and I never want to stop coming back.”
“The best part of A-Camp wasn’t why I signed up to go to A-Camp. I love Autostraddle and wanted to experience it in person. What I didn’t expect was the incredible safe space I found on the mountain. Being in that environment made me realize that I wasn’t able to be 100% myself in my everyday life, and allowed me to experience what living that way felt like. In addition to that, I made genuine and amazing new friends that I’ll stay in contact with. Also, the staff were fucking amazing.”
“The best part of camp is always the reminder that anything can happen and we can all be whoever we want and queers are beautiful beings and there are always fewer fucks to give and I don’t care, I love it, YOU DO YOU.”
“The writing workshops, even when they brought me to things I wasn’t ready to deal with yet, were my favorite part of camp. They reminded me that I’m actually a really good writer (I forget because people don’t often get to read what I write) and that I have a lot to say through writing and should say it.”
“I live in a pretty queer friendly city, however never in my life did I feel so welcomed and accepted. I felt I could dress how I wanted and play with my gender in multiple ways. Dappy hour was an amazing experience for me. I loved the panels and wish I could go to everything again.”
“Each time I’ve gone, I’ve pulled out some crazy awesome learning experience and this time was no different. Last time, A-camp helped me overcome my really intense social anxiety. This time, I’m working with far deeper issues such as self-perception and self-worth. It’s something I’ve been thinking and writing about non-stop for about 4 days. Going to A-camp has been so utterly crucial to my growth as a healthy adult and as a social being.”
“My favorite part of A-Camp programming wise was Deanne Smith, 200% amazing. Experience wise, the best part of camp was being able to come back a second time and see how much I’ve grown because of my experiences at September’s camp.”
“I really enjoyed the interactive workshops (writing, poetry, dirty dancing, yoga, hip hop, etc.) A-camp is a fun and safe place to try new things out of your comfort zone.”
“A-Camp was such an accepting and open environment. I loved that it was trans-friendly, bi-friendly, and empowering to people of color. Everybody was so kind and eager to learn and teach each other. I never felt ashamed for not knowing things. I felt empowered by all the new knowledge I gained.”
“Coming back to camp felt like coming home. That’s what I said as soon as I saw my first returning A-camper at LAX. It felt so comfortable this time – even more than last time, if that’s possible. If I had to pick just one thing about camp, that’d be it. The feeling of comfort that comes from being completely understood and accepted, just where you are.”
“I loved being able to do crafts one block, social meet-up the next, and a panel after that… the non-monogamy and the bisexual panels were feelings-city. Thank you for those teaching memories.”
“The best part of ACamp for me was experiencing the sensation of being ‘one of the crowd’, in that I held something in common with everyone else present beyond basic humanity (which sometimes just isn’t enough to feel connected). That is not a sensation I experience very often. Or at all, really. It was a novel experience to be praised and complimented for the aspects of my character and appearance that usually draw criticism or confusion everywhere else in my life. It felt like coming home.”
“I loved spending time with a queer community that values all types of queer expression, not solely limited to the academic sphere or the Dinah Shore crowd.”
“The panels are so educational and the activities are so much fun. Plus, it’s such a great price for everything that’s included with camp.”
“The workshops were great but I was really impressed with the lady campers. I was expecting an oversexualized group of women ready to go buck wild on a mountain but people really just wanted camaraderie and friends to talk to about queerness. I’m so glad it wasn’t just a hook-up fest.”
“I loved that there were always many opportunities to engage in well-planned structured programming and that there were simultaneously opportunities for impromptu hang outs with new friends. The pool party was pretty incredible too. I usually feel a little too uncool for a space like that, but I felt totally comfortable.”
“A-Camp is a magical place where you can finally feel the freedom to think about yourself in a positive way without the lens of the patriarchal world crushing down on you.”
“I missed my bros, and it was amazing to see them in a setting where we could daydrink, hike, and have sleepovers.”
“Camp gives queers insight to how straight people feel everyday! #1in10”
“Obviously the internet is a wonderful resource, but nothing compares to meeting people in real life.”
“Everyone deserves to be in a beautiful, safe, loving space like Camp and to have the opportunity to meet and hang out with such bright, fun, kind, open, attractive, inspirational people. And it’s just really fun!”
“I describe it as being in a giant queer lady group hug to a friend after I got back. Expanding our inclusive community is something that we need to get better doing, and I feel like A-camp is one way to do that.”
“A-Camp is FUN. It’s REALLY FUN. My life back home is pretty queer, my friends are queer, my job is queer, my town is queer, my school is queer. But A-Camp is something else. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s something else. It’s fun. I had fun. I laughed so much. I met queers from all over the world. I learned things. I will be back and back and back and back again. Thank you.”
“I feel that the best part of camp was the community we were able to form within the few days we had together. I walked knowing just about no one aside from my cabin mates – whom i had only connected with via email, facebook, and a couple google hangouts. Within the the cabin and A-Camp as whole, everyone connected on some level and were able to form deep relationships (friendships, etc). Even when I attended camp as a kid, I didn’t bond with my fellow campers that quickly. And otherwise, I am slow to make true friends. I sincerely appreciate the effort everyone has gone through to develop the sense of community and connection as fast as it did. Thank you!”
“I had no idea what I was actually looking for at camp, but I totally found it.”
Registration for A-Camp October 2013 is open now, and you can check out our brand-spanking-new website, A-Camp.org!
