Peer Gender: A Youth Empowerment Camp for Gender Expressive Kids & Allies

Who are We? We're two moms raising kids who are gender-expansive, and as we looked for activities to keep them busy and engage this Summer, we couldn't find any programs that specifically aimed to bring kids from all over the gender-expressive spectrum together. So we decided to create one! We have teamed up with TeamQuest, a two-session experiential-based learning program offered through The University of North Carolina of Greensboro to facilitate a camp for youth ages 5-10 called,  Peer Gender: A Youth Empowerment Camp for Gender-Expressive Kids and Allies.  This youth empowerment camp is a positive youth development opportunity  to explore their strengths, make connections by meeting new friends, and to feel supported in their gender nonconformity, and have some fun! It's not a requirement, but each participant is welcome to invite someone near their age they consider a friend/ally. The Camp dates are: Friday, September 21st (8:30am-1:00pm); and Sunday, October 6th (1:00pm - 5:00pm)  Youth must be between the ages of 5 -10 years old to participate in the Peer Gender Camp. The registration fee is $99 which pays for the TeamQuest program, breakfast, lunch, light refreshments ,snacks for youth, families, carers, guest speakers and related printing costs.  Why a Gender-Expansive Camp?One of the hardest things about being a Gender-Expansive kid is finding peers you can be yourself around. Gender Expansive kids often face unsupportive environments that make them feel socially isolated and pressured to conform. All kids should like themselves, but for many Gender-Expansive kids, getting to "I'm Okay" is not easy. A big part of learning to like and embrace yourself is finding friends that accept you as you are- and that's what Peer-Gender is about. Please Note: This camp is about gender NOT about sexuality. It's about kids affirming how they express their gender, the complexities, and freedom of breaking outside of the traditional limitations the binary (him/her) system. Everyone experiences gender, kids will feel free to express their gender with no judgement. It's about making friends and supporting positive youth development. Resources will be provided to parents 2-3 weeks before camp.