Prior to Summer 2022, we received many questions about Gender Diversity & Inclusion at Camp Akita. Here were some of our most-asked questions and answers.
Are you worried about a camper switching cabins for the wrong reasons? For example, what would prevent a cisgender boy from switching to a girl’s cabin to be with a crush? I agree with your policies, but my friends do not. I want our campers to attend together. What should I do? I’m worried my camper will talk about things they’re not ready for. Isn’t my camper too young to understand gender identity? I thought you were a Christian camp. Are these Christian values? If my camper asks to use a different name or set of pronouns than what is on their registration form, will that info be shared with me? It feels like you’re keeping information about my child and their camp experience from me. Is that the case? Does Camp Akita offer programming specifically around gender and sexuality? Do you have trans Counselors?
Are you worried about a camper switching cabins for the wrong reasons? For example, what would prevent a cisgender boy from switching to a girl’s cabin to be with a crush?
Switching cabins is a serious matter and Camp Akita Directors do not reassign campers before taking the time to determine the nature and reason for such a request. Directors will seek to determine if a camper is requesting a switch because they feel unsafe in their current cabin, if they feel a different cabin is a better fit, or if they have other (including inappropriate) intentions. The request to switch cabins for any reason is extremely rare. In our experience, Camp Akita Counselors do such a great job of building community within the cabin that, regardless of gender identity or expression, campers desire to stay in their current cabin. And, in our experience, campers with a crush often want to stay as far away from that person as possible!
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I agree with your policies, but my friends do not. I want our campers to attend together. What should I do?
For some families, this might be the first time they have thought about gender identity, diversity, or inclusion. Some of these terms and concepts might be unfamiliar. As a friend, you might be helpful in telling others why Camp Akita is a value match for your family. Encourage your friend take the time to determine if Camp Akita is a value match for them, too. If they decide not to come to Camp Akita, that’s ok. We will be here if they want to try next year. In the meantime, we’d love to help place your camper in a cabin with others from your school or grade who might become great friends.
Most children can recognize and label gender groups by age 2 and can label their own gender by age 3 (Mayo Clinic). At camp, campers often hold age-appropriate conversations about gender identity and expression. “She’s a girly girl, but I’m not as much of a girly-girl” is an example of a conversation on gender identity we might hear at camp. We do not believe that conversations about gender identity are off-limits, just as conversations about race, religion, or ethnicity are not off-limits. Counselors are trained to keep conversation focused on campers and to redirect conversation that is stepping beyond what is appropriate. For example, conversations about sex are not appropriate for any age group, and Counselors are trained to respond to questions about sex by asking campers if they are comfortable talking about such subjects with their parents/guardians. Additionally, Counselors receive training on how to prevent and respond to bullying, keep the focus on campers, and how to refocus everyone’s attention toward camp.
Yes! We believe in a God who loves all people—and “all” includes those who are gender diverse. We follow the pathway of Jesus who sought justice and peace for those on the margins. Today, our trans, non-binary, and gender diverse young people are on the margins, and we feel called to provide safe and affirming places for them. Read more about Camp Akita’s beliefs here.
If my camper asks to use a different name or set of pronouns than what is on their registration form, will that info be shared with me?
In short, no. A camper’s decision to share their name and pronouns is theirs alone and we respect that choice. In our experience, campers will want to tell you every single detail about camp once they return home! If they feel that it is time to share a new name or set of pronouns with you, we trust that they will.
It feels like you’re keeping information about my child and their camp experience from me. Is that the case?
Camp provides a unique experience for campers to explore who they are away from home. They may try new things at camp, including going down water slides, climbing the Alpine Tower, singing at the talent show, using a different name, or making a friend who is a different gender. All of this is part of healthy development. Camp Akita staff are trained to ask campers if they feel safe at home, and if so, to encourage campers to share about their camp experience with their trusted grown-ups. That said, there are situations in which we will reach out to families (or authorities) regarding camper safety, including times when a camper is hurting themselves, hurting others, or is being hurt by someone else. Camp Akita staff are mandatory reporters and all staff are trained on how to respond to immediate camper safety needs.
Does Camp Akita offer programming specifically around gender and sexuality?
No. We do not offer any kind of programs or curriculum that focus specifically on gender or sexuality. The focus of our program is having fun, fostering reflection, and growing in our relationships with God, self, others, and nature. Our staff are trained on how to have age-appropriate and positive conversations with campers, including how to refocus everyone’s attention toward camp.
Do you have trans Counselors?
The health histories of our Counselors are confidential, not only to camper families but also to us as their employer. Legally, we cannot require a staff to disclose any information about their health history, including transitions. Even if we (as employers) did know that information, we legally cannot disclose it to you or anyone else. Please know that we hire only the best applicants: those who we feel would make excellent role models, show responsibility and appropriate judgment, and put campers’ needs first. All staff, regardless of gender, complete the same rigorous application process, background checks, and training prior to camper arrival.