Province-Wide Resources:
Two-Spirit Resource List: “Two-Spirit” is a term used within some Indigenous communities, encompassing cultural, spiritual, sexual and gender identity. Check out this list compiled with culturally specific resources serving Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer folks.
Peer Support Directory: Find peer support groups and services across British Columbia for trans, gender diverse, and Two-Spirit children, youth, and adults, as well as their parents/caregivers, families, partners, and support networks.
Crisis Lines: a comprehensive list of LGBTQ-friendly Crisis Lines in BC has been put together by the UBC SARAVYC (Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Centre). For a list of LGBTQ-friendly Crisis Lines in all of Canada, click here.
QCHAT is an LGBTQIA2S+ peer support association that provides peer support and referral services to youth residing in British Columbia.
YouthCO and YouthCO’s mycelium: a group of queer & trans youth 16-29 across what is currently known as BC.
Resources for Parents and Caregivers of Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit Youth:
CampOUT! Parent & Caregiver Guide 2022 – compiled by the CampOUT! Community Advisory Committee and written by Emily Bailey (YouthCO Partner)and Anna White (Camp Director) to support parent/caregiver learning and connecting.
CampOUT! Parent_Caregiver Session Slideshow: Tips from your Kids! – created with advice and requests from youth participants of 2020 ZoomOUT!
CampOUT! Parent & Caregiver Webinar Resource List – links to podcasts, websites, information, and reading
TCBC Education for Care Services – an overview of Gender Diversity Education courses, to share with any care providers in your community
Fiction by Transgender and Non-Binary Writers with Trans/GenderDiverse Characters – A list of fiction resources compiled by Mary Ann Saunders (UBC Professor, CampOUT! volunteer, committee member, and parent!)
Other 2SLGBTQ+ Affirming Camps and Programs:
Because we are unable to offer everyone a spot at CampOUT! each year, we wanted to share a few awesome LGBTQ2+ focused and/or inclusive programs that our friends and community members are organizing! Check out the links and application dates below:
- Born This Way – Aug 10-15 (Ages 5-17), Edson AB, This camp is open to anyone in the LGBTQ2S+ community, their allies or siblings.
- Camp Kin at Cumberland Lake Park – July 31-August 4, 2023 – BOOK NOW! Camp Kin welcomes all queer, trans, two-spirit, questioning and/or curious youth ages 10-13 to join for a week of inclusion, play, and celebration at Comox Lake. Campers will be canoeing, swimming, hiking, crafting, and connecting with peers and camp leaders who share lived experiences. Financially accessible on a sliding scale.
- Inspiring Girls Expeditions – Girls on Ice Canada provides tuition free expeditions for girls, trans, transfemme, non-binary, and gender non-conforming folks.
- Outward Bound Canada Rocky Mountain 7-Day Backpacking for 2SLGBTQ+ Youth – July 14-20, 2023 – APPLY NOW! Kananaskis, AB. For ages 16-19. This backpacking adventure will take you alongside rivers, over mountain passes, through alpine meadows, and you may even see a rainbow or two along the way!
- Outward Bound Canada West Coast 7-Day Sea Kayaking for 2SLGBTQ+ Youth – August 1-7, 2023 – APPLY NOW! Clayoquot Sound, BC. For ages 16-19. Join fellow 2SLGBTQ+ youth to explore the West Coast wilderness! Your instructors will help create a supportive space to learn technical and personal skills to help you thrive in your community, school and workplace.
- Welcome Friend Association’s Rainbow Camp – REGISTER NOW! ON and NS. Accepting campers ages 8-18 and Leaders in Training ages 17-18 for July and August 2023 in-person (Ontario and Nova Scotia)!
- Queer Ecology Summer Camp – August 7-11, 2023 – REGISTER NOW! – for queer and trans youth and allies ages 12-16
- Queerest and Dearest Family Camp – Usually at Camp Artaban, Gambier Island, BC. A a 4 night, 5 day long faith based residential camp for LGBTQIA2S+ people and their families – birth families, adoptive families, chosen families, extended families, church families, etc!
- Open Mountains – Inclusive outdoor adventure (ie: Winter 2023 – a 3 day backcountry camp focused on expanding on touring and ski mountaineering skills for QTBIPOC skiers and boarders, 16 years +).
- Outpost Teen Camp – July 31-Aug 5 – REGISTER NOW! Camp Koolaree, Trail, BC: A week long camp celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and allies ages 14-17 in an inclusive, supportive, gender-inclusive camp.
- Summer Drag Camp – July 4-7 and 10-14, 2023 – REGISTER NOW! Granville Island, Vancouver, BC. For ages 7-11 & 12-17 years. Led by some of Vancouver’s established and emerging drag artists, you’ll learn how to access your inner confidence, show your true colours, and maybe even let out that inner diva!
- Troublemakers Film Project – May 11-22 – APPLY NOW! Vancouver: Aspiring young filmmakers + changemakers can participate in this free 7-session program to learn filmmaking skills and produce inspirational short documentaries about senior LGBT2Q+ troublemakers.
- Girls Rock Camp Vancouver Fieldhouse – Year-round programming for girls and non-binary youth ages 8-17. We provide young women the opportunity to explore, access and create music with the guidance of positive mentors.
- IndigenEYEZ Youth Camps – Similkameen Valley, BC: historically offers 7-day gatherings for Indigenous youth 18-30 who want to build their capacity as advocates and protectors for the lands and waters of their territories.
- Salal and Cedar – Year-round inclusive spiritual gatherings including outdoor worships and contemplative walks in nature.
- Totally Outright – Bowen Island, BC: A leadership workshop for young gay, bisexual, trans, and queer guys interested in being healthy, sex-savvy change makers.
- Power of Hope Camp – Linnaea Farm, Cortes Island, BC: Power of Hope strives to bring together a truly diverse group of youth and staff and aims for diversity of all kinds: ethnic, cultural, religious, class, personality, life experience, and more. Gender inclusive cabin option. Cost is sliding scale.
- Camp Moomba – Camp Elphinstone, Sunshine Coast: A free overnight camp for children and youth ages 6 to 17 years old who are living with HIV, or who have a family member living with HIV. Campers will have choices around different indoor and outdoor activities while connecting with peers to challenge HIV stigma.
- Camp Ten Trees – Year round virtual programming for LGBTQ youth and youth of LGBTQ families.
- Polaris – Dates in July and August – REGISTER NOW! Camp Fircom, Gambier Island, BC: Ages 12-17. Discover personal strengths, areas for growth, and how to work as members and leaders of a group!
Check out some of the amazing resources we use to inform our work at CampOUT! and some helpful tools so you can get involved too!
Here are links to some of the organizations and services we think are doing great work and could support your family or organization:
Ambit Gender Diversity Consulting
Children’s Hospital Transgender Resources
Bakau Consulting
Gender Spectrum
Love Intersections
Northshore Youth Services Directory
Out in Schools
PeerNet BC
Qmunity
Rainbow Refugee
SHER Vancouver
Trans Care BC
Trans Rights BC
Vancouver Coastal Health Trans Care
Educational Resources
CALLOut! GSA Manual
CALLOut! Leadership Manual
Courageous Conversations
Online Trans Resource
Staying Safe Online
Tips For Respectful Interaction
Trans Care BC FAQs November 2016
Two-Spirit Resource Directory
Celebrating Gender Diversity – A United Church of Canada Gender Toolkit
Anti-Oppressive Facilitation Resource
Anti-Oppressive Resource & Training Alliance (AORTA) Resources
Indigneous Allyship Toolkit
QMUNITY LGBTQ2S+ Print Resources
QMUNITY 2SLGBTQIA+ Black History Resource
BestColleges LGBTQ+ Student of Colour Resource
Links to Local Youth Groups:
Allways – Richmond
Fraser Valley Youth Society
SHER Youth Group: for LGBTQ South Asians and their friends, families and allies in Surrey, BC
Mycelium: YouthCOQmunity Youth Program (Gab Youth)
Whatever: A safe, fun, drop-in for LGBTQI2S youth, friends, and allies in West Vancouver
Peer Support Directory: Find peer support groups and services across British Columbia for trans, gender diverse, and Two-Spirit children, youth, and adults, as well as their parents/caregivers, families, partners, and support networks.
Harm Reduction Resources:
BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions
Moms Stop the Harm – local and online support groups
Representative for Children & Youth
Homelessness Services Association of BC
The Homeless Hub – Youth
BC Housing
McCreary Reports