Like at most summer camps, the kids at Camp Indigo play tag, do arts and crafts and make friends. Unlike at most summer camps, the kids at the new day camp in Akron are all trans.
Eleven years after its founding in Oakland, California, the camp for trans, non-binary and gender expansive kids and teens ages 5 to 17 is returning to Ohio for a second summer: June 30 to July 4.
Located in northwest Akron, Camp Indigo joins spots in Oakland, California; Boulder, Colorado and Austin.
While Ohio’s central location was a big factor in bringing Camp Indigo here – kids from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois and Michigan have all signed up for Akron – co-founder and Executive Director Andrew Kramer says it also fills a need in states trying to pass anti-trans legislation.
“The trans youth community is just as vibrant in Ohio and Texas as it is everywhere else. Families and youth especially need to know that we don’t need to be afraid. We can exist. We do exist.”
So far, about 50 kids are registered for year two in Akron, with space still available, up to a maximum of about 85. Space varies depending on the venue: Boulder has about 115 kids and Oakland boasts about 160 kids a week, although it started with only 20.
Camp Indigo operates a little differently than similar camps. Camp Indigo is a day camp, meaning kids go home at the end of the day. This provides a break and can alleviate stress for kids or teens who may feel anxiety about staying overnight somewhere, according to Kramer.
It’s also focused on simply doing traditional camp activities with other trans kids rather than emphasizing the fact that they’re trans. Kids under 12 spend their days rotating through a series of art, science, movement, and play-based “classes” with an emphasis on being silly and having fun. Teens often go to museums, baseball games and parks as a group. What they don’t do is therapy.
“Camp is for trans youth, it’s not about trans youth,” Kramer says. “This isn’t a therapy session, this is an opportunity to kick it with kids who have your same life experience and just get to be a kid. It is so empowering to be with your people who have that same lived experience. So, let’s do that and also throw water balloons at each other.”
Camp Indigo is also for parents and caregivers, who are invited to two caregiver sessions a day to connect with others and learn about trans allyship. Cis siblings under 12 are also welcome to attend camp, though this is a small minority of the camper population.
The Akron camp costs $475 for the week, which covers activities, insurance, supplies and wages for the all-trans staff (who work at a 6:1 camper to staff ratio). Scholarships of 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% off the price of enrollment are all available
“We really take care of all aspects of the community — every single person is paid,” says Kramer. “There’s no volunteer work. We believe really strongly in paying a living wage and not asking marginalized folks to do things for free. A lot of our staff at our well-established locations are previous campers, so we’re doing that work of supporting the youth as they develop.”
Taking care of the community extends to the price tag, too. Scholarships for up to 100% of the registration cost are available for anyone in need, no questions asked. The discount codes are published on the website, meaning there are no applications – folks can just take what they need. Kramer also works to remove barriers beyond cost, helping campers and their families find housing near the camp locations and arranging carpools. He’s happy to hop on a call with parents of prospective campers to chat about whether Camp Indigo is right for their kid.
“The community really comes together to make this happen,” he says. “So, if access is at all a concern, don’t hesitate to reach out. That’s what we do for each other, we take care of each other.”
The response to Camp Indigo’s other locations has been great. Parents are thrilled to meet other parents of trans kids. The kids themselves are a mix of the out-and-proud and those who are more stealth about their gender identity. While some arrive on the first day with a little anxiety, Camp Indigo inevitably wins them over.
“I have never, in the thousands of young people we’ve seen, had a camper leave because of anxiety,” says Kramer. “They’re always excited about what we’re doing and they always leave with a new friend.” 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- Register for Camp Indigo or learn more about it on the website.
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