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. Join us!
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 queer 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 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
‘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
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
I had an absolute blast at Camp and will be returning again and again until Camp isn’t held anymore!!!
– James A. (he/him), Ogden, UT
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
‘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
I was quiet upon my arrival, skeptical about EVERYTHING (the place, the people, and whether I’d have a good time, could recharge). Within minutes of entering Camp, everyone already seemed to know who I was. I can’t remember the first hug I received, only that I received so many. With each passing hour I opened up, amazed I had indeed found my happy place and love. Camp became the best solid week of my life.
– H.L. S. (he/him), Silver Spring, MD
The whole camp experience was incredible. The Directors through to the Staff and Rainbow Group Leaders were so welcoming and kind.
– Jordan B. (he/him), Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK
The summer camp experience itself was everything I hoped it would be, and the people were beyond my wildest expectations. I have never felt so free.
– B B. (they/them), Gallatin Gateway, MT
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
You truly have created an amazing space. I can’t even begin to tell you how much this has changed my life, literally. … I am more than pleased. I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
– Rich E. (he/him), Portland, TX
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
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
