Glad you asked! The site we use a nice, modern facility. The buildings, including the cabins we will be staying in, have air conditioning, indoor plumbing, and private showers. Our cabins have two bunk rooms that campers will be assigned to (which are divided by age) and counselors will be staying in each bunk room. The dining hall is also air-conditioned (and the kitchen staff and food are amazing!)
Great question! Camp Sunflower has been supported and developed by many community organizations including several open and affirming faith communities and leaders. The camp takes at a site managed by a church. This camp is used throughout the year by many religious and secular organizations, including Camp Sunflower. Aside from those supports that help make Camp Sunflower possible, there are no religious connections to the camp itself. The programming and staffing for the camp were designed and selected independent from any religious considerations, and there will not be any religious components to camp. In short, folks of all religious and spiritual walks are welcome and celebrated in their views at Camp Sunflower. Come as you are!
That's an important question to ask! All of our staff members have been fully background checked and selected for their relevant experience with the LGBTQ+ community and/or youth. The camp director has many years of experience with directing camps, and 5 years experience directing another residential camp for LGBTQ+ teenagers. Our staff members have "regular jobs" as teachers, community organizers, LGBTQ+ advocates, nurses, and more. When you come to Camp Sunflower, you will find a staff diverse in personality, identity, and specialization with a singular commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, fun, and affirming space for LGBTQ+ youth to create community, explore identity, and have an awesome time!
There are a number of costs associated with camp. We have been fortunate to receive the support of many generous Kansans who have helped to offset many of these costs. We ask those that are able to pay a fee to attend camp. There are scholarships available for those who need help.
At Camp Sunflower, we continue to monitor updates and recommendations from authorities to inform decisions about upcoming camp experiences. We are, first and foremost, concerned with safety of campers, staff, and the community. We also know that connection with the community can be a critical safety component for LGBTQ+ youth, and that those connections can be difficult to achieve through a screen. We always base decisions about COVID protocols on the recommendations of local and national experts and data.
We'd love to talk more about your interest! Send an email to campdirector@campsunflower.org
This is the most common question we get from first-time campers! For many people, planning to go to a new place for the first time can be scary. This may be especially true for a place where you do not know anyone, where you will be staying overnight, and where there may be lions and tigers and bears! Many LGBTQ+ youth might also have had negative experiences in other camp or social settings. First of all, you can rest assured that the biggest animal you will see at camp is Shaggy, our very capable lifeguard, camp-fire builder, and gear carrier (among many other things). Your other fears may be harder to dispel before camp begins, but we can tell you from experience that those fears tend to go away within the first few hours of camp. Camp Sunflower is a place where everyone is encouraged to "come as you are," and where we accept and love each other for the things that we share, and for our many differences.
Camp Sunflower is a safe and welcoming space that affirms everyone regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Camp Sunflower, Inc. is 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.
