Why LGBTQ+ Youth Come Back to Brave Trails Year After Year

LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse youth arrive carrying nerves, hesitation, and often a lifetime of being misunderstood. Many come feeling guarded, unsure of how much of themselves they are allowed to show. And then, something shifts.

They leave with confidence, friendships, and a deep sense of belonging that many of them have never experienced before.

Families often ask what makes Brave Trails different from other summer camps. The answer is simple and powerful. This is a place where queer and trans youth are not just included. They are centered, celebrated, and cared for.

These are the real reasons so many campers return year after year.

A Place Where You Can Be Yourself

At Brave Trails, campers do not have to explain their pronouns, hide who they like, or edit parts of themselves to fit in. They are believed, respected, and welcomed exactly as they are. For many young people, this is the first time they have ever felt that kind of safety in a community.

Real Friendships With People Who Understand

Many LGBTQ+ youth spend the school year feeling isolated or different from their peers. At camp, they finally meet other kids who share their identities, humor, and lived experiences. Those connections often become lifelong friendships that extend far beyond summer.

Counselors Who Show What Is Possible

Our staff are LGBTQ+ adults who live openly and joyfully. Campers get to see what a thriving, confident queer and trans future can look like. That representation is powerful, especially for young people who may not see themselves reflected in their everyday lives.

Trying New Things Without Fear

Whether it is singing at a talent show, jumping into the pool, dressing up for themed days, or sharing stories around the campfire, campers are encouraged to explore and take risks in a supportive, non-judgmental space. Growth happens when kids know they will be met with kindness instead of criticism.

Confidence That Lasts Beyond Camp

The confidence campers build at Brave Trails does not disappear when summer ends. Youth leave more comfortable speaking up, setting boundaries, and trusting who they are. That confidence shows up at school, at home, and in their relationships.

A Chosen Family

Many campers describe Brave Trails as the first place they ever truly felt at home. It becomes a chosen family, a community they can return to year after year where they are loved and understood.

A Space Where Feelings Are Welcome

Being LGBTQ+ in today’s world can be complicated and heavy. Camp is a place where young people do not have to pretend everything is okay. They are allowed to show up with all of their emotions and be supported through them.

The Power of Queer Joy

Camp is filled with laughter, dancing, swimming, late-night cabin talks, and moments of pure, silly joy. That joy is not just fun, it is healing. It reminds young people that they deserve happiness and connection.

Support, Not Fixing

Brave Trails is not about changing who kids are. It is about giving them the support, tools, and community they need to thrive exactly as they are.

A Place You Want to Come Back To

Once you experience being fully yourself in a space where you are loved and affirmed, it is hard to walk away. That is why so many campers count down the days until they can return.

Join the Brave Trails Community

If you are a parent, caregiver, or young person searching for an affirming LGBTQ+ summer camp, Brave Trails is here for you. We serve LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse youth ages 12 to 17, and financial aid is available to ensure every young person has access to this life-changing experience.

Come see what happens when queer and trans youth are given the space to be fully, beautifully themselves