Camp Eclipse means more than just acceptance. I am not accepted at camp. No ... I am embraced; I am understood; and I am celebrated for who I am, for what I can achieve, and for what I have to give. Camp Eclipse means having a family of people who truly understands what it is like to be LGBTQ and it means not having to walk the path alone. When I was young and overwhelmed by questions of identity, there was no one I could point to and say “I am like you!”. For many years, I struggled with questions that seemed too big and terrifying for me to face by myself. I had no one who could help me find the courage I needed to find self-understanding. Without a connection to a community of peers and mentors, it took me a very long time to come to terms with who I am, and painstakingly learn to love myself.
Being a part of Camp Eclipse means being able to give new generations of queer youth the community I craved when I was younger. It means being able to empower these incredible youth who, in-spite of the challenges they may face, never cease to amaze me with their courage, compassion, determination, and hope. Being part of Camp Eclipse means I get to be a part of a family bigger than I ever could have dreamed. Camp Eclipse has changed the course of my life, and it is nothing short of a blessing to be a part of such a family. This camp means everything to me. The above article was originally published in 2014. Comments are closed.
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Tell your story!Show your support for Camp Eclipse by sharing your experience. By telling others what camp was like for you, they will be better able to determine if Camp Eclipse is right for them. Your identity will only be made public if you choose.
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