Last summer, Hailey Fay, an 18-year-old from the Chicago suburbs, experienced a transformative five days at Action Camp, a sanctuary for queer youth in Illinois.
This five-day sleepaway camp, hosted by the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago and Youth Services, provides a supportive community for queer youth seeking acceptance.
Fay described the camp as a “dream utopia” and expressed a desire to have attended when they were younger, reflecting on the struggles of self-acceptance and the fear of rejection.
Established in 2012, Action Camp began as a weekend retreat and has evolved to host nearly 50 campers aged 12 to 17 and 15 youth leaders each year.
The camp’s location remains confidential until shortly before its start, prioritized for the campers’ safety.
Although registration for this year has closed, officials are encouraging interested participants to apply by April for the next year’s session.
While the camp predominantly serves the queer community, siblings and friends of campers are also welcomed, creating an inclusive environment.
Campers begin each day with activities such as swimming and archery, followed by social events in the evenings, including movie nights and a popular talent show.
Educational sessions are integrated into the campers’ schedule, led by youth leaders who discuss topics like the history of ballroom culture and larger issues such as the school-to-prison pipeline.
This year, Fay will return as a youth leader, highlighting the camp’s role as a retreat from the unsettling realities facing queer youth today.
Recent legislative developments, including the U.S. Supreme Court’s approval of a Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for minors, have intensified concern among queer youth.
“Being a queer child now is just getting scarier and scarier, especially not knowing you can be yourself in the future,” Fay stated.
For Jay Diaz, the program coordinator at the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago, the mid-week mixer is a standout moment of the camp.
Campers often liken this event to a prom, and it showcases the significance of having a safe space where they can truly be themselves.
“It was beautiful to watch everyone get to be themselves and dance like no one is watching,” Diaz remarked, observing many campers come out of their shells throughout the week.
This atmosphere provides a stark contrast to the environments many campers come from, which may not support queer identities.
Diaz noted that the camp staff, many of whom identify as queer, feel a deep sense of reward in witnessing the campers embrace their true selves.
“They see reflections of themselves growing up in a world more open to queer identities,” he explained, highlighting the importance of representation.
Campers benefit from connecting with others who understand their experiences and can share advice on fostering inclusive communities.
Teresa Diaz, a parent of a former camper, shared how the camp positively impacted her son’s life.
His experiences with discrimination at school made the camp’s supportive environment vital for his identity development.
As a parent, Teresa expressed relief and gratitude that her son found a community where he could be authentic.
“Thank goodness he did. It was him being his true self,” she reflected, recognizing the importance of belonging in her son’s journey.
Looking toward the future, Teresa’s son hopes to return to Action Camp as a counselor after finishing college.
Due to ongoing concerns about potential policy shifts targeting trans people, the family is considering relocating abroad.
The importance of spaces like Action Camp cannot be overstated, especially in a world where LGBTQ+ individuals often face marginalization.
“Although it’s been ramped up this year, LGBTQ+ people have always been marginalized,” Jay Diaz concluded.
Despite the challenges, the campers’ resilience and willingness to connect and share knowledge remain a testament to their strength and community spirit.
image source from：chicago
