Many people consider gay bars to be the central meeting place for GLBT people, but there has always been strikingly little for those who can’t or won’t go out to bars. Without that outlet, it is sometimes hard to deal with the limitations on personal freedom, extreme stress, societal peer pressure, isolation and low representation in everyday life.
Coming out at a young age changed everything in my life. It gave me new perspective beyond the limits of biological family, it showed me love and caring in places I’d never imagined and it cemented a belief in people and what they can accomplish.
But it also exposed the disconnectedness of the community. I became an adult at fifteen and lived alone in a world where I lacked the support of the GLBT community because they met at places that legally barred me from entry because of my age. As a queer youth growing up in Alberta, the options have always seemed few and far between. For the last five years however, a group of extremely dedicated individuals have been working to change this experience for the better.
Camp fYrefly, which was founded by Dr. André P. Grace and Kristopher Wells, is running headlong into its fifth successful year as Canada’s largest retreat for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, two-spirited, queer and allied youth.
The camp is designed to ”help youth develop the leadership skills and resiliency necessary for them to become change agents in their schools, families, and communities. Camp Fyrefly participants vow to help fight against discrimination, prejudice, and oppression in all of its many forms, and to help others in their time of greatest need.”
The opportunities are vast. Approaching youth to help them find a safe place to explore their sense of self, to demonstrate positive strategies for developing an attitude with which to face a changing, tumultuous world that offers little else to help them. Empowering youth, who are often told that they must wait to make a difference, has a dramatic effect on those who will be the leaders of our communities one day.
The camp provides a wonderful opportunity to grow and be exposed to a world that is open to youth-by-youth participation with activities such as: workshops, group building exercises, strategies towards activism, and introductions to concepts ranging from gender identity to alternate forms of expression, be it through music or athletics.
It is an incredible feeling to know that your self-expression, especially as a teenager, is welcomed with open arms. This occurs in an environment where others sharing your experience can offer support and companionship that can extend beyond the camp. Building a network of interconnected queer youth is one of the most useful tools for bringing positive, strong minded individuals to the forefront of the community and toward moving us forward.
The camp runs every summer in Edmonton - this year it is happening from July 24th to 27th. It is hosted by the Bennet Center, and supported by the University of Alberta Educational department, and over fifty generous companies and private sponsors that keep the wheels greased for each successive year. The opportunity to donate is available on the camp firefly website, as is further information regarding registration and participation.
Even if you can’t attend yourself, there is still the option of sponsoring the fee for kids to attend the camp – it can be an incredible gift to struggling youth. Locally the Miscellaneous Youth Network is continuing to sponsor youth to attend, assisting in transportation and financial contributions to help youth attend that might not otherwise be able to.
“As a proud and devoted supporter of Camp fYrefly, I see the camp building a solid foundation for future leaders of the queer community and beyond,” Says Murray Billet, Vice-Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission. “For today’s youth to join together in such a powerful and nurturing environment without the fear of being judged is a dream come true for all of us. As Camp Fyrefly continues to succeed and grow, so too will our families, communities, and country. I encourage you to help send a kid to camp each and every year!”
Camp fYrefly
July 24th to 27th, 2008
www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca
