Camp Fyrefly, a nation-wide leadership and resiliency retreat for sexual and gender minority youth, will be coming to Cochrane this summer — the first time the camp has come to the Calgary area in its 10-year history.
From July 11-14, the local Girl Guides of Canada’s Camp Jubilee will play host to about 50 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, intersex and queer campers. For four days the camp aims to help campers develop personal, social and educational tools, said Kristopher Wells, co-director of Camp Fyrefly.
“This camp is a dream that became a reality,” said Wells, assistant professor and researcher at the University of Alberta’s Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services. “For four days, we create an environment for our campers where they are safe to be themselves — where they are the majority.”
“There’s no telling how far these kids can go is they have the support they need. They are still dealing with all the stereotypes that we’ve been trying to put behind us…. We want this camp to serve as a catalyst for important community discussions.”
Open to sexual and gender minority and allied youth between the ages of 14 and 24, the camp offers a selection of workshops and outdoor adventures such as rafting and hiking.
In addition, the camp offers an extensive arts program, often featuring an artist-in-residence who works with the youth to cultivate ideas and grow as an individual.
“Art has a way of opening feelings and minds in ways words can’t express,” said Wells.
The camp came to fruition in 2004, getting its start as a one-night retreat after being spearheaded by Edmonton youth group, Youth Understanding Youth.
Within five years, Camp Fyrefly had expanded in length and ventured out of province for a Saskatoon-based camp.
“I was in a privileged enough position to listen to the youth at that time,” said Wells. “The young people of today aren’t afraid to talk about these issues — often it’s the adults that are (afraid). The youth are leading the way as educators, they are just looking for sources of support.”
Wells credits these young leaders with coming up with the camp name. Fyrefly is an acronym that stands for: fostering, youth, resilience, energy, fun, leadership, yeah.
Camp Fyrefly is still accepting applications for the 2013 camp season. Applications can be found online at fyrefly.ualberta.ca. The deadline to apply is May 10.
Camp costs are mostly subsidized thanks to sponsors and fundraising, keeping registration costs at $25 per camper.
To learn more about Camp Fyrefly, visit fyrefly.ualberta.ca.
