Save the date for our second annual overnight BIPOC Summer Camp! Registration is now open! Registration will close on June 1st.
Who: This a BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color)-centered camp for youth 12-17 years of age. We are prioritizing spots for rural BIPOC Vermonters, knowing that students who live in rural areas have fewer opportunities to be in spaces with other people of color, and so will be limiting slots for students in Burlington and Winooski to 15. Anyone who registers after the first 15 slots are filled will be put on a waitlist, and we will let you know by June 15th if there are more available slots.
Where: Common Ground Center in Starksboro, VT
When: This overnight camp is Sunday, August 18th to Thursday, August 22nd
What to expect: sleeping in cabins, art, music, swimming, nature, crafting, healing circles, connection, conversation, laughs, joy and learning about ourselves and each other
Cost: The camp will have a payment sliding scale of $25-$500. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. The true cost of camp is $1,000 per youth and this cost is subsidized by grants and donations.
Accessibility: We’ll do our best to help with transportation. We’ll ask about accessibility needs in the application.
Mission
To bring youth of color into nature and provide opportunities for connection, healing and joy.
“This camp really gives you a break from our reality as black and brown folks and gives us a chance to breathe and connect. 10/10 Would Recommend.” -camper
“This is something you need to experience in your life and you will make many memories.” -camper
“You get to be around a bunch of people that look like you and might share the same experiences.” -camper
“It was pure magic. It was such a much needed space for so many. PURE MAGIC!” -counselor
“It was an invaluable restorative opportunity for an isolated demographic (youth and adult alike) to bypass the constraints of distance and time that separate us and settle into connection, joy, and shared understanding.”
Guiding Principles
Affinity groups help with self-empowerment and build confidence and resiliency
Building relationships across the state
Queer-trans affirming
Empathy and care for your community
Pride
How adults can help
Work: We are hiring camp counselors, lifeguards, and an on-call nurse. You can read about all of the available positions here. Camp counselor applications are due on April 30th.
Volunteer: There are multiple opportunities for volunteering. We are in need of kitchen helpers, activity leaders, guest chefs, guest camp counselors, and transportation aids. Fill out this form to let us know how you’d like to help. All volunteer opportunities are for BIPOC adults except the transportation aid.
Spread the word: Here is a flyer you can use to share about the opportunity.
Support a young person in attending camp: We have a sponsorship program. We need to raise $30,000 to fund our camp. It costs about $1,000 to send a kid to camp for a week. We offer a generous sliding scale for camp and many of the campers attend for free. Help us keep this camp accessible by encouraging a business, organization, or individual with resources to sponsor a camper.
Interested in learning more about camp? We hosted an info session on May 6th. You can watch the recording here. You can also read about last year’s camp here. Contact Kayla at kayla.edjvt@gmail.com with any questions.
Supported in part by Vermont Humanities and Vermont Federal Credit Union.
