Out Of The Cabin, Out Of The Closet: The Transformative Experiences Of Camp And Identity Exploration

Summer camp is a tradition for American youth. According to the American Camp Association, each year over 7.2 million children attend summer camp. Camp provides transformative experiences for campers and staff that should be available to all, however, some youth are denied this opportunity. This study focuses on the experiences of seven LGBT+ camp staff members. The results were broken down into four themes: Transformation, Camp Atmosphere, Friendship, and Change-Maker. In focusing on the experiences shared in these interviews, the study aims to aid camp directors in adopting more inclusive practices for LGBT+ people.