FAMILY CAMP FAQ
WHAT IS BRAVE TRAILS FAMILY CAMP?
When Jess and Kayla, our founders, adopted their baby, they quickly realized the remarkable yet often isolating experience of parenthood, especially as LGBTQ parents. They discovered a significant lack of safe spaces for LGBTQ families to connect and build a sense of community. Their desire was to provide their son with an environment where he could see families like his and celebrate the diverse ways of being human. This vision led to the establishment of Brave Trails Family Camp in 2017!
Brave Trails Family Camp offers a weekend-long experience designed for LGBTQ parents and their children or LGBTQ youth and their parents to enjoy a camp-inspired setting, meet other LGBTQ families, and strengthen their bonds. We take care of logistics and meals so your family can fully focus on having a blast! The camp offers a wide array of activities suitable for all ages, including archery, hiking, art classes, toddler activities, teen adventures, adults-only options, campfires, and much more. You have the flexibility to create your own schedule for the weekend. We welcome individuals of all ages and family members, including grandparents, friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, and zizis. Come join us and create lifelong family memories!
location
In California, Family Camp is located in Los Angeles, California.
In Georgia, Family camp is located within a one-our drive of Atlanta, Georgia.
Both sites offer tons of adventurous camp activities, gorgeous nature, and a very convenient location that couldn't be easier to get to. We gladly welcome families from out-of-state and international at all of our Family camps.
For the safety of our families, we only disclose our exact location to registered families.
Lodging
California:
We offer a variety of housing options to choose from so you can select the one that best fit your family. All of our cabins and rooms are set up as quintessential bunkhouses with a campy feel. All housing options are first come, first serve. Keep in mind that camp is different than a hotel. Families bring their own blankets, pillows, toiletries, and baby items. Families will need to bring a pack’n’play or cot for children under 2 years old who attend for free. If you would like an additional bed for your child under 2 years old, you will need to register them at the normal rate.
Private Room
$295 Per Person - Kids under 2 are free.
(Each room can hold 2-4 people)
This is a great option for smaller families who are looking for a cozy, private space to bunk. Your family will have a private room in a shared house or building. Some houses have a shared common area. Some rooms have nearby, shared bathroom/shower houses with warm showers and plenty of bathroom access. We have a very limited amount of rooms with private bathrooms.
Private Cabin
$295 Per Person - Kids under 2 are free.
(4 Person Minimum. 12 Person Maximum.)
If you’re looking for a lot of private space just for your family or if you have a large family, this is the option for you! Our private cabins can hold up to 12 family members comfortably. Most private cabins have nearby, shared bathroom/shower houses with warm showers and plenty of bathroom access. We have a very limited amount of cabins with private bathrooms.
Share Cabin
$240 Per Person
(Limited to Ages 5+ and up only. Families with younger children will need select another housing option due to the uphill location.)
If you’re looking for that classic camp experience, this is the option for your family! Your family will share a bunkhouse style cabin with one or more other families and get to know some new or old friends. Shared cabins are located in upper camp (an uphill walk) and can sleep up to 12 people comfortably. All cabins have a shower house nearby with plenty of bathrooms, sinks, and warm showers.
GEORGIA:
All families will be housed in newly-built cabins with capacity for up-to 6 people. These cabins are “duplex-style,” meaning while you have a private space for you and your family, you may share the building with another family. The spaces are completely separated by a wall, have different entrances, and each have their own shower and sink.
Private Family Cabins
$270 Per Person - Kids under 2 are free (financial assistance available)
Each room can hold 6 people
Our cabins are duplex-style with room for 6 people on either side of a wood partition. Participants enter each side of the cabin through a private entrance and have a private shower, sink and shower. The wood partition that separates the spaces is floor to ceiling and completely separates the spaces. Beds are a mix of twin and bunk bed style. All cabins and camp spaces are accessible and ADA compliant.
Sample Menu
camp food
Breakfast: Pancakes, sausage (chicken or veggie), fruit & yogurt bar, and orange juice. Every morning we have a cereal bar, milk, and a fruit assortment available. Coffee and tea available.
Lunch: Veggie & turkey paninis, soup, and a salad bar is available every day. Juice and Milk.
Dinner: Tacos (veggie & chicken) with all the toppings, rice, beans, and a salad bar is available for dinner every evening. Juice and milk. For dessert, churros!
Snack: Granola Bars and fruit.
Meals and snacks are included in the price of tuition. All of our meals are served buffet style in our dining hall. Our kitchen staff takes pride in delivering nutritious, kid friendly meals that keep our campers going throughout the day. Campers enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and special treats like s’mores and ice cream parties. Families will need to bring there own infant food. We offer access to our communal fridge, if needed.
Allergies & Dietary Restrictions
We gladly accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets, but require proper notice for appropriate planning. If a family member has a serious food allergy, aversion, or specific diet, we suggest bringing your own heat & serve food to be extra safe. Families have access to a communal refrigerator and microwave, but no stoves or ovens. Our kitchen and camp may contain nuts, eggs, wheat, fish, and other allergens.
Dates + Rates
Session 1 (Los Angeles, CA): February 2-4, 2024
Session 2 (Los Angeles, CA): February 9-11, 2024
Session 3 (Atlanta, GA): April 12-14, 2024
COST:
Tuition includes all meals, snacks, lodging, programs materials, activity instructors, classes/lessons, a camp t-shirt, and much more! There is a $100 non-refundable deposit due at registration, per family. Monthly payment plans are available. Our tuition pricing is per person (flat rate), not per day.
FINACIAL AID:
Need-based financial aid is available. Please indicate your intent to seek financial aid on the Family Camp application and email info@bravetrails.org with any questions. A member of our team will reach out to you directly to discuss options.
CALIFORNIA:
Private Room: $295 Per Person - Kids under 2 are free. (Each room can hold 2-4 people)
Private Cabin: $295 Per Person - Kids under 2 are free. (4 Person Minimum. 12 Person Maximum)
Share Cabin: $240 Per Person (Must be ages 5 and up only for shared housing)
GEORGIA:
Private Duplex: $270 Per Person - Kids under 2 are free. (Each room can hold 6 people)
2024 Refund policy
Brave Trails Family Camp Refund Policy
We understand that unforeseen changes can happen at any time and as such, this refund and payment policy ensures a transparent agreement between Brave Trails and family camp participants. Keep in mind that while camp takes place in February and March, our staff works all year long to plan and ensure family campers have a safe, fun, and well organized camp experience, including: admissions, pre-camp administrative work, camp supply purchasing, camp staff vetting/hiring/training, program planning, meal planning, and much more. We start ordering supplies and hiring staff members for your camper as early as January. As such, this policy ensures a clear and fair outcome of what will follow if your camper needs to drop out of camp at any point, for any reason.
All registrations require a $100 non-refundable deposit, per family. Only registrations that are accompanied by the deposit will be processed. The balance of camp tuition will be automatically charged to the card on file one month prior to the start date.
Note: this does not apply to families who are attending our programs with financial aid. A member of our team will work with you to set a specific payment plan and schedule.
If you need to cancel your enrollment at any point, you must email info@bravetrails.org with the following understanding:
Up to 30 days before your session begins, camp fees are refundable, less the $100 non-refundable deposit..
Cancellations within 30 days of your session start date are non-refundable.
There will be no fee reduction, allowances, refunds, rebates or reimbursement for absences from camp due to illness, injury, homesickness, dismissal from camp, voluntary withdrawal, no-show, late arrival, family emergencies, vacation, summer school, unexpected visits or events, unhappiness with the program, or for any other reason. There will be no fee reduction or reimbursement for changes in programming on our part. All decisions to change programming are made with the best interest of family camper’s safety and experience in mind. If your family drops from camp after the "no refund" date, you may bank your tuition funds for the next year or donate them to our scholarship fund.
accreditation
We are proudly accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and part of the Western Association of Independent Camps (WAIC). We know our LGBTQ+ youth deserve to have a top of the line summer camp experience. This is why we have committed to being a fully accredited summer camp since day one of operating. The American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation process is a commitment by camps to the highest standards of health, safety, and program quality. This means we meet over 250 standards in health, safety, staffing, training, and transportation, which are verified and inspected by the ACA on a regular basis.
The Western Association of Independent Camps (WAIC) is an organization of summer camp owners and directors, dedicated to operating excellent youth programs. On top of American Camp Association accreditation, WAIC offers us the opportunity to collaborate with independent camps across the country to ensure we are going above and beyond the status quo in providing a quality camp experience.
Community Agreements & Culture
Our aim is to establish a safe and inclusive environment that embraces all identities and families. We anticipate that all families will treat one another and our staff with kindness and respect at all times. At Brave Trails Family Camp, we require all families to honor and celebrate every name, pronoun, and identity, even if they may be unfamiliar to you. We have a zero-tolerance policy for any form of transphobia, homophobia, racism, harassment, or discrimination. At our camp, we stand in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. We also expect all families to show respect for camp property and the surrounding natural environment. Failure to exhibit respectful and considerate behavior towards others or the property may result in dismissal from family camp without a refund.