16 Affirming Summer Camps For LGBTQ Youth

Exploring the ideal LGBTQ+ summer camp for your child? We’re here to help. At Camp Brave Trails, we believe every LGBTQ+ young person deserves access to a safe, inclusive, and affirming summer camp experience. Whether your camper is looking for leadership development, outdoor adventure, creative expression, or simply a place to belong, affirming summer camps can be life-changing.

To support families in their search, we’ve curated a list of 16 affirming summer camps for LGBTQ+ youth across the United States and Canada. Each camp below offers a unique approach to community-building, identity affirmation, and joy. Camps are listed in no particular order.

While we’ve done our best to research each program, we encourage caregivers and campers to explore individual camp websites to ensure the best fit for your family’s needs. If you have questions or want help navigating options, feel free to reach out to us at info@bravetrails.org.

Now let’s explore the best options for you and your family!

CAMP BRAVE TRAILS

CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, & Georgia

AGES: 12-17

Camp Brave Trails is the largest residential summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth, offering overnight leadership camp sessions in California, New York, and Georgia. Our mission is to help LGBTQ+ youth find their people, place, and passion in a fully affirming environment. Campers build lifelong friendships while participating in classic camp activities with a queer twist, including archery, theater, hiking, swimming, arts and crafts, dance, drag classes, and campfires. All cabins and bathrooms are gender‑inclusive, and campers are supported by trained LGBTQ+ adult mentors. Camp Brave Trails is ACA‑accredited, offers robust financial assistance, and serves youth from all 50 states and around the world. Beyond summer camp, Brave Trails also offers backpacking programs, family camps, meet‑ups, mental health services, and is actively building a forever home for LGBTQ+ community.

HARBOR CAMPS

NEW HAMPSHIRE

AGES: 8-18

Harbor Camps is a residential summer camp created exclusively for transgender and nonbinary youth. The camp centers joy, confidence, and community through classic camp activities like swimming, kayaking, arts and crafts, archery, drama, D&D, and campfire songs. Harbor Camps intentionally avoids formal discussions about gender or sexuality, allowing campers the freedom to simply be kids in a supportive environment. Campers come from across the U.S. and beyond, and the program is committed to accessibility, ensuring families are never turned away due to financial need.

CAMP HIGHLIGHT

PENNSYLVANIA

AGES: 8-18

Camp Highlight is a week‑long overnight camp welcoming all youth, with a special focus on children of LGBTQ+ families. Guided by nine core virtues such as acceptance, courage, cooperation, and unity, Camp Highlight fosters kindness, growth, and connection. Campers enjoy over 40 daily activities, including sports, arts and crafts, dance, fishing, and nature exploration. With a strong emphasis on community values, Camp Highlight encourages campers to shine brighter and bring compassion into the world.

KIN•DOM CAMP

ILLINOIS, TEXAS, & NEVADA

AGES: 12-17

kin·dom camp offers LGBTQIA+ youth an affirming overnight camp experience rooted in belonging and celebration. Campers enjoy a full week of traditional camp fun while being welcomed exactly as they are. The camp affirms all genders, sexualities, identities, abilities, and belief systems, with a shared commitment to mutual respect and inclusion. kin·dom camp creates a supportive environment where youth can explore identity, build community, and experience joy.

CAMP SEEN

COLORADO

AGES: 13-18

Camp Seen is an affirming overnight camp for LGBTQ+ youth that prioritizes authenticity, connection, and belonging. By keeping camp technology‑free, campers are encouraged to build real relationships and confidence. Dedicated counselors support campers in developing independence, friendship, and self‑expression. Camp Seen is part of Youth Seen, an organization focused on education, advocacy, and intersectional support for LGBTQIA+ youth and young BIPOC communities.

CAMP OUTRIGHT

VERMONT

AGES: 13-17

Camp Outright is a six‑day residential summer camp for queer, trans, questioning, and allied youth. The program blends traditional camp activities with queer‑centered workshops focused on social justice, creativity, and community building. Campers can explore sports, visual and performing arts, and outdoor adventures while connecting with peers from across the U.S. and beyond in the beautiful Vermont landscape.

CAMP TEN TREES

WASHINGTON

AGES: 8-17

Camp Ten Trees is one of the first summer camps created specifically for LGBTQ+ youth and youth from LGBTQ+ families. Campers enjoy classic camp activities like swimming, archery, and hiking alongside workshops that explore identity, social justice, and community building. Camp Ten Trees creates a space where diverse youth can connect, celebrate shared experiences, and grow together.

CAMP OUTDOORS

ARIZONA

AGES: 11-24

Camp OUTdoors brings LGBTQ+ youth out of the closet and into the woods for an adventure‑based camp experience. Serving primarily Arizona youth, the camp offers outdoor exploration, workshops, and leadership opportunities. Youth‑led OUTscouts help plan programming and lead wilderness activities, with no prior outdoor experience required. Gear is provided, making the program accessible to all campers.

CAMP INDIGO POINT

MISSOURI

GRADES: 2ND-11TH

Camp Indigo Point is a two‑week residential summer camp for queer, trans, and LGBTQ+ youth. Located near St. Louis, the camp offers classic summer activities like swimming, archery, gaga, arts and crafts, and campfires in a fully affirming environment. Camper housing is gender‑inclusive, names and pronouns are respected, and trained staff prioritize community care. Scholarships are available to ensure accessibility for families.

CAMP LILAC

OHIO

AGES: 12-17

Camp Lilac is an affirming summer camp designed specifically for transgender and gender‑diverse youth. Since 2017, the camp has provided a confidential, supportive environment where campers can build confidence, explore identity, and form meaningful peer connections. Programming is youth‑focused and centered on affirmation, safety, and community.

QTCAMP

SOUTH CAROLINA

AGES: 6-19

Odyssey Teen Camp is an inclusive summer camp for teens of all identities, including LGBTQ+ youth, artists, gamers, activists, and more. The camp focuses on authenticity, relationship‑building, and personal growth. Campers leave with increased confidence, a strong sense of belonging, and meaningful connections that extend beyond the summer.

CAMP FREE2BEE

WASHINGTON D.C. (DMV Area)

AGES: 6-14

Camp Free2Be is a summer day camp for trans, nonbinary, and gender‑diverse youth in the DMV area. Created by SMYAL, the camp offers a safe, affirming environment where campers can build friendships, celebrate identity, and have fun. Two week‑long sessions are offered each summer, with limited enrollment to ensure personalized support.

RAINBOW CAMP

ONTARIO, CANADA

AGES: 12-18

Rainbow Camp provides an affirming overnight camp experience for queer and trans youth across Canada. Founded to create space where LGBTQ+ youth could thrive, Rainbow Camp centers joy, leadership, and community connection. Campers participate in outdoor activities, creative programming, and group discussions designed to build resilience, confidence, and lifelong friendships.

TEN OAKS PROJECT

ONTARIO, CANADA

AGES: 8-17

The Ten Oaks Project offers overnight summer camps for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and children from LGBTQ+ families. With two locations and nearly 200 campers each summer, Ten Oaks combines outdoor adventure with intentional community building. Campers enjoy swimming, ropes courses, climbing walls, and group games designed to build confidence, independence, and self‑esteem.

CAMP FYREFLY

ALBERTA, CANADA

AGES: 14-20

Camp fYrefly is a leadership‑focused summer retreat for 2SLGBTQ+ youth held in the Canadian Rockies. Campers explore identity, mental wellness, and leadership through workshops, outdoor adventure, art, and community‑building activities. The program supports youth in developing confidence and skills that positively impact their lives and communities.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LIST!

Need helping picking the best LGBTQ camp for your future camper? We’re here to help!

Contact us at info@bravetrails.org

Our goal is help connect all LGBTQ youth to meaningful, welcoming camps.

Much love, Team Brave Trails