For four years now, we’ve been making a dream called A-Camp come true. High atop a dusty mountain outside of San Bernardino, we’ve held seven A-Camps: manifestations of this website in three entire dimensions, mixed with a dash of old-fashioned Summer camp goodness and an infusion of conference-style programming. We’ve brought you 3-5 day sessions of workshops, panels, classes, meet-ups, activities and performances designed to inspire, educate, entertain, build community, and make you laugh. It’s been a chance to support Autostraddle, be kids again, and make new friends forever — and it’s been wildly successful, with the waitlists to prove it. We’ve held spectacular A-Camps in September 2012, May 2013, October 2013, May 2014, June 2015 and June 2016.
Our very first camp — in April 2012 — was a test run. We weren’t even sure if anybody would sign up, we’d never seen the site, and our two A-Camp Co-Directors didn’t meet in person until the night before campers showed up. Would the concept work? Would the location work? We announced camp merely two months before it happened, it took place over a long weekend, and we planned it haphazardously. Certain aspects of said camp were verified disasters, but other aspects were quite wonderful and heart-warming. Regardless, the people loved it!
We’ve evolved and learned so much since then (and learned a TON at our most recent camp, specifically), and our bodies are totally ready to tiptoe into the concept of expanding A-Camp beyond Southern California — but unlike that April 2012 camp, we’ve toured the site and we’re planning the hell out of this unit.
So… are you ready for A-Camp Midwest Edition?
When
5:00 PM September 29th – 11:00 AM October 2nd
On September 29th, we’ll be running shuttles from Chicago O’Hare to the campsite from 2pm to 3pm and from the Milwaukee airport to the campsite at 4pm. Camp officially begins at 5:30 PM.
Where: New Site, New Rules
We’ve started to feel like we’ve exhausted the possibilities offered by Alpine, and are eager to try something new. We’ve fallen in love with the facilities at and the people who run The Perlman Retreat Center in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. It’s 30 minutes from Milwaukee, just over an hour from Madison, 1.5 hours from Chicago, 4 hours from Indianapolis and 5 hours from Ann Arbor, Minneapolis or Des Moines. This site is full of relevant features:
350 wooded acres * Beach * Ropes Course * Indoor & Outdoor Climbing Wall * Canoeing * Kayaking * Campfire Rings * Yurt * Lighted Basketball Courts * Softball Diamond * Indoor & Outdoor Amphitheaters * Archery * Recording Studio * Dance Studio * Arts & Crafts Building * Teaching Kitchen * Ultimate Frisbee Fireld * Organic Farm * Secluded Witchy Bonfire Situation * Sand Volleyball * Tennis Courts * Hiking Trails * AND SO MUCH MORE!
Who?
You weirdos over the age of 21! At past A-Camps, half our campers have been over 25 and half under 25, and they’ve come from all over the world. Usually 60% of our campers are new and 40% are returning, but we anticipate more new campers this session than usual.
Also: Us! We are headed up by A-Camp Director Kristin Russo (with the on-site assistance of Marni Kellison — who, don’t worry, is still Co-Directing our spring camp!), and in order to give you the broadest range of programming possible, we’ve got a staff-to-camper ratio of about 1:5, with staff members drawn from Autostraddle the website.
How is This Camp Unlike All Other Camps?
Well, the spirit is the same, but there are a lot of logistical differences.
It’s fall in the midwest, which means the camp-style cabins A-Campers are familiar with have been closed for the winter and we’re limited to winterized lodging on the retreat side of the camp/retreat site. We’ve got space for just 154 campers! It’s a cool opportunity for us to offer something a little less rustic / communal than previous camps — rather than 12-18 people sharing a bathroom in one cabin, you’ll be bunking with merely 3-5 additional humans in dorm-style lodges. Every room has a private bathroom, and every lodge also has a communal space. Think “Retreat.”
How Much?
Tuition is $495 and is all-inclusive:
- 8 Healthy Meals That Taste Good (with options for Vegans, Vegetarians, Gluten-Frees, and so forth)
- 3 Nights Accommodation in dorm-style lodges with 4-6 people per room with a private bathroom and a communal area for the entire lodge
- 35+ programming options: crafts, panels, workshops & adventures
- A dedicated staff with a staff to camper ratio of 1:5
- 3 Nights of Stellar Entertainment from Stellar Talent, including our inaugural Dead Lesbian & Bisexual TV Characters Haunted Hayride
- Kickass swag bag with your A-Camp tee and other cool goodies from indie queer businesses.
If you’re not bringing your own sheets/blanket/sleeping bag, there’s an option to rent linens from the site for $16/each.
It’s costing us way more to do this camp than previous camps — travel expenses are higher for our West Coast staff and talent, the site itself is about twice as much per night as Alpine, our staff:camper ratio is 1:5 rather than the typical 1:7, and Retreat Center lodging is more expensive than the Cabin lodging they’ll have available in the spring. If we adjusted the cost proportionately, this weekend would cost $641.25. But we’re not doing that, ’cause we want to make this accessible to as many campers as possible while exploring the opportunities available at an awesome site like this. If you’re able to pay a little more, then please donate to our campership fund!
Adult Camps have become a big business since about a year after we started ours, but ours remains the most affordable event of its kind — without the professional networks these other camps come from and with a website that relies on Camp to survive.
Sidenote: the price for Camp No Counselors, “as featured on Shark Tank,” includes an open bar. For the record, all of these camps are well worth their tuition cost.
There will be a handful of more expensive VIP rooms we’ll be making available next week after getting some things sorted out. These rooms include a private bathroom, living room, and either a kitchenette or a full kitchen.
Just $75 down reserves your spot. Want more details? Let’s go!
Daytime Programming
You’ll have full access to a variety of activities, workshops, panels, sports, discussion groups, classes and arts & crafts. For this camp we’ll be be doing a bunch of new stuff but will be bringing back a lot of A-Camp classics and favorites too, like Witch/Craft, The Gender Panel, Bitches Brew, High Tea and Chair Dancing 101. There will also be opportunities for closed spaces and bonding for campers who are QTPOC, trans women and/or bisexual/non-monosexual. Activities offered at previous A-Camps include…
Arts & Crafts: Dapper Collar Pins * Coptic Bookbinding * Chingona Chats and Crafts: Sacred Queer Heart Shrines * Look After Yourself: Self-Portraits * Nerdcraft * Make A Thing: Merit Badges * Finger Knittin’ Good
Workshops: Learn to Magish * Shibari Rope Bondage * Erotica Writing * We’ve Got Your Back: Community Care * YO! A-Camp Raps! * Slam Poetry * Queer Astrology 101 * Lez Talk About Sex(ual Health) * Swagger 101 * String Cheese & Boxed Wine Tasting * Casual Sext * Improv Comedy
Sports, Games, Etc: Basketball Wives * Self Defense 101 * Cheer Camp * Ballet for Basic Bitches * Rock Yoga * Beyonce’s Dance Grooves * Canoeing * Pop Science Trivia * Mindfulness & Meditation * Haus of Vogue
Discussion Groups, Panels & Presentations: Changing the Narrative: The Importance of QTPOC Fiction * Chosen Family * Gaming, Identity and Community * Queer People of Color Politicking & Zine-Making * Mixed-Race/Biracial/Multi-racial Discussion Group * Profesh Pantsuit Power Hour * Working In Solidarity: Combating Transphobia in Queer Spaces * Mommy Queerest: Queer Parenting Panel * Tardy for the Party: A Coming Out Later In Life Discussion Group * Mountaintop Bisexual Discussion Group and Hummus Appreciation Society * Real Talk: Your Relationship Doesn’t Have To Suck
Nighttime Entertainment
Autostraddle After Dark is where our Special Guests shine most brightly, and where you get a chance to dance your ass of in a ridiculous costume. Past A-Camp After Dark activities have included stand-up comedy from Cameron Espositio, Deanne Smith, Brittani Nichols, Elicia Sanchez and Rhea Butcher; sexy game shows hosted by Julie Goldman and Brandy Howard; the legendary Staff Reading; Talent Shows; shows hosted by Hannah Hart and Jasika Nicole and concerts featuring musicians including Julia Nunes, Jenny Owen Youngs, Mal Blum, Bell’s Roar, Haviland Stillwell and Somer Bingham. The last night always brings a kickass themed dance party and a performance from the legendary A-Camp Family Band.
Special Guests
Elicia Sanchez, Comedian
A Seattle-based comedian, writer and comic book reader, Elicia Sanchez has been performing all over the West Coast since 2010. She has been called “fearless” by City Arts Magazine, “a grumpy nugget of delight,” by writer/author Lindy West, “a local favorite,” by Seattle alt weekly The Stranger and “a brilliant new voice everyone should know,” by comedian Hari Kondabolu. Grammy Award winning singer/song-writer Kimya Dawson (The Moldy Peaches, Juno) has cited Sanchez as her ‘favorite underground Northwest comedian’ while W. Kamau Bell, comedian and host of the CNN series United Shades of America, once said, “Elicia Sanchez is the truth.” Elicia has performed at the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, Bumbershoot, Emerald City Comicon, has appeared on NPR, The Bob Rivers Show, the television show The [206] and has written articles for Autostraddle.com and Jezebel. She currently produces four monthly comedy shows in Seattle (Wine Shots: Comedy’s Happiest Hour, Not Too Late with Elicia Sanchez, The Enematic Cinematic LIVES!!, Karajokey) and is also the host of the Seattle branch of The Moth StorySlam.
Be Steadwell, Musician
Be Steadwell is a singer songwriter from Washington DC. With roots in jazz, acapella and folk-Be composes a soulful blend of genres into what she calls queer pop. In her live performances, she utilizes loop pedal vocal layering and beat boxing to compose her songs on stage. Be’s self-produced albums feature her earnest lyricism, proud LGBTQ content, unapologetic silliness, and the art of the simple love song. As she pursued her career in music, she began a career in film. Shooting and editing her own music videos, Be combined her love of music with narrative film. In 2014, Be completed an MFA in film from Howard University. This year, be was selected to be a 2016 Strathmore Artist in Residence. The DC commission on the arts awarded be the artist fellowship for 2016. Be is currently touring her music and screening her film Vow of Silence (2014) internationally.
Jenny Owen Youngs, Musician
website // twitter // instagram // tumblr // autostraddle
Singer, songwriter, and natural history enthusiast Jenny Owen Youngs grew up in the forests of northern New Jersey and is now based in Los Angeles. After self-releasing her first album Batten the Hatches in 2005, she went on to put out two albums and three EPs through the Canadian indie label Nettwerk Records. Youngs has since self-released her album AN UNWAVERING BAND OF LIGHT in 2012, a serial song project called EXHIBIT in which each composition is directly inspired by a specific work of art in 2013, and the Slack Tide EP in 2015. Youngs has toured extensively in the US and Europe, headlining and also supporting artists such as Regina Spektor, Against Me!, Frank Turner, Motion City Soundtrack, and Aimee Mann. Her songs have been heard on Weeds, Nurse Jackie, Suburgatory, and elsewhere. Today, Youngs spends much of her time writing with and for other artists in Los Angeles and working on her next record.
Camperships & Tuition Discounts
Your generosity has sent over 40 deserving humans to A-Camp over the past five years and you’ll have the chance to make dreams come true again this year by donating to the campership fund! A full campership is $495, and we’ll have a post up next week sharing the stories from some of last camp’s campership recipients.
Our goal is to offer 5-8 full camperships and 5-8 partial camperships.
If you have an independent business who’d like to sponsor a campership, get in touch with sarah [at] autostraddle.com. Previous sponsors have included Sharpe Suiting, Kipper Clothiers, Scout’s Honor, Kreuzbach10, OK Cupid and Hannah Hart.
We also recognize that as A-Camp becomes more expensive it becomes harder to maintain the diversity we require for a truly successful A-Camp. We encourage campership applicants who are POC and/or trans women.
If you cannot attend camp without a full Campership, do not register for camp! We reserve spaces for Campershippers so you don’t need to snag one in case you become a Campershipper — that’s been taken care of.
Okay, I’m in. What now?
If you wanna get on the saddle and trot on over to A-Camp with us this fall, here’s what you’ve gotta do:
1. For the low low price of a $75 non-refundable non-transferable deposit, you can snag your spot for the fall festivities. Please read the instructions at the top of each registration interface page if anything seems remotely complicated. Your full tuition is due September 1st. You can make partial payments between now and then by logging back in to the regonline system and making partial payments.
2. If registration fills up, you can put yourself on the waitlist. Be sure to put an e-mail address you check regularly and often, so you don’t miss our note if you’re up!
3. If you’re driving in on September 29th, please plan to arrive between 4 PM and 5:30 PM. On Sunday, please plan to leave by 11 AM.
4. If you’re looking for flights and will need transportation from the airport, be sure you can be at O’Hare by 3:00 PM on September 29th or at MKE by 4:00 PM. If you’re getting in to ORD later than 3:00PM or MKE later than 4:00 PM, you may miss opening night and you’ll have to make your own travel arrangements.
If you’ll need transportation to the airport on October 2nd, there will be shuttles leaving at 11:00am. It takes 1.5 – 2 hours to get to the airport, so we advise against booking flights that leave before 3PM. If the 11:00 AM shuttle won’t get you to the airport in time to make your flight, you’ll have to make your own travel arrangements. We’ll be making an Official Facebook page for this camp where you can communicate with other campers to make plans.
5. If you need to cancel, you can just log back in to the registration interface and cancel!
6. QUESTIONS ABOUT REGISTRATION OR TRAVEL GO TO [email protected]. (“COOL” stands for “Coordinator of Logistics”)
For More Information
On our A-Camp website, you’ll find our FAQ, the staff we’ve got on board so far and a link to register the hell out of your unit. For more information about what goes on at A-Camp, you can check out our recaps from past camps and testimonies from campers about the joy of the experience. But A-Camp is whatever you make of it: every camper writes their own story. Come with your heart wide open and do whatever you want.
What are you waiting for?
Register Now!
NO WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME I AM SO SAD.
I’m travelling to the US and will be in Chicago at the end of THIS MONTH.
THIS MONTH RIESE, not the end of September.
God dammit I was so close to actually being able to come to A camp ?????
All of you queermos have a great time though.
I AM SO SORRY
It’s ok I’ll make this trip as gay as I can anyway. Btw I’ll be in Ann Arbor the last weekend of August, any fun meet up going on then ?
We are hanging out on Aug 12th, if you can make your way over to Michigan!
event deets hurr
Oh I’ll be in NYC then ! Have fun though ?
Oh man oh man I might have to come out to this. I haven’t hung out in a2 much since I got sober but aut bar can be pretty chill from what I remember so I should be ok, right?
@wellacquaintedeyes Riese won’t be drinking either, so you’ll be in good company! It was chill until it filled up and then there was a lot of dancing.
JENNI I AM DOING WHOLE30 AND THEREFORE CANNOT DRINK WHICH WILL BE THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I HAVE DONE ANYTHING AUTOSTRADDLE MEETUP RELATED TOTALLY SOBER (EVEN THOUGH I NEVER DAY DRINK, I HAVE DAY-DRUNK FOR MEET-UPS BECAUSE I GET SO NERVOUS!) SO JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW SOLIDARITY SARAH IS MAKING ME GO EVEN THOUGH I CAN’T DRINK I’M SO SCARED
Also I’m sorry I’m making this about me. ? What I mean is “CONGRATS ON EXPANDING A-CAMP” you successful businesswoman you.
Hey Clohe,
Where will you be in the middle of the month? Here’s an option in Ohio…
https://ohiolesbianfestival.wordpress.com/
oh hey
This is such a great idea and I’m glad y’all are doing it. <3
That being said, I wish this had been marketed sooner! Having run events in the past, I know that the best way to get a huge surge of interest and make the most money is to announce an event last minute and get that sense of urgency with the sign-ups. However, if I had known about this ahead of time, being a Chicago dweller, I would have saved a lot of money skipping California A-Camp and coming to this one instead. There's no way I can afford to do that now after spending about a thousand dollars going to California just a few months ago. There's also the matter of flight tickets for people who /don't/ live in Chicago and will face huge ticket costs booking travel on such short notice if they do decide to make it out to this one. I just wish we'd had more of a heads-up, is all.
Anyway, I really wish I could go, and I want y'all to know that if you do this again, I probably will – so please take that into account when you're considering how much interest there is in this event and deciding whether to do it again. :)
Oh, and finally, last but not least, the Dead Lesbian & Bisexual TV Characters Haunted Hayride sounds magical. I've never loved a hypothetical activity more.
Hi! We totally feel you, but we actually didn’t know that we were going to do this camp until about three weeks ago, and didn’t have the idea to do a midwest fall camp until about five weeks ago. :-/
We nailed down dates and a contract about a week ago, sent out staff applications the next day, confirmed the team 24 hours ago, got the site updated and graphics made about 12 hours ago, got final graphics and final talent confirmation about 45 minutes ago. I’m actually writing this comment on a brief break from finishing my updates to the a-camp website! Kristin, Sarah and I have been working on this 24/7 more or less for the last 10 days to get it out there as soon as possible. Not ideal for us either!
We’re not announcing last minute to build buzz, but because this is actually not the last minute, it’s the first minute, I promise!
I’m really glad to hear that, it’s really reassuring to hear that you guys are doing your best with the time you’ve had and weren’t just keeping us waiting. <3 I'm sorry I doubted you! And thank you for all your hard work putting this together (and last camp, and day-to-day website stuff every single day…). I hope I can join you the next time and thank you in person!
I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME TOO MICHELLE! <3 <3
flights to chicago look pretty cheap! at least for this east-coaster. i’m sure that’s at least partly why they’re offering shuttles from a big hub like ORD and not just MKE.
yeah for some reason flights to/from ORD are mad cheap, i have no idea why
as opposed to flights to mke, maximum energy
So I’m moving to WI in mid-September and was a little worried about it… I feel like this is a sign that I’m making a good decision! Registering for camp now!
IT IS A SIGN
I JUST GOT CHILLS
Don’t be worried, Wisconsin is awesome! (Except for the politics). Where in Wisco?
Madison! It seems nice, just new places are scary. Hoping to make some Wisconsin friends at camp!
My fiancée and I live in Madison and just registered for A-Camp today. Madison is a very liberal, well-educated, queer-friendly, politically-engaged place. I came to Madison for grad school at UW, fell in love with the city, and have decided to plant my roots here. There’s also plenty to do here. You’ll love it!
I’M SO EXCITED!!
This is fantastic! The new site sounds really fun!
For those of us who just went to camp and can’t make it on short notice, IS THERE GOING TO BE A SPRING CAMP THIS YEAR?
yes!
Oh thank goodness! Now I can relax and just say, have a fabulous time! <3 <3
I’m not a weird a-camp fangirl, YOU’RE a weird a-camp fangirl
Relevant information. Thank you
Too short notice for me to rearrange work/my life, so it’s really weird not madly refresh/instantly register for Camp for the first time in years.
I feel like this is going to have a totally different vibe from California Camp and I’m so intrigued ngl
this is the first camp I’m not gonna be able to make it to since my first camp and I am not prepared for the FOMO.
i am not prepared for the FOMM which is the Fear of Missing Monique
SAME who will come to my blac chyna appreciation workshop?!
STEF please video conference me in so I can help *fasciliate the workshop
Omg YOU.
This the first camp I’m missing since I learned that Camp exists (approximately this past February) and I wasn’t prepared to feel all these Emotions
Yay!
It’s a six hour drive from Duluth, the prettiest little city in northern Minnesota!
This Baby T. Rex has now caused me to miss two A-Camps in a row. We are not getting off to a good start here, Remi…
Ya’ll have so much fun, though! I can’t wait to hear and read all about it!
kaelyn i know it’s kinda late in the game and i’m sorry to tell you this but tbh your baby sounds like kind of a jerk
FALL CAMP!
So exciting! I would love to do this next year and hope you run it again!
part of me is like hmmm it’s *only* a 12 hour drive… i’m not sure that part of me is very reasonable.
i feel inspired by that part of you
but also check flights to ORD, some were as low as $38 each way when we were looking the other day
ya definitely not seeing anything that cheap, but hopefully other people are!
hi cb! you probably already know this but try clearing your history and cookies and then looking at the flight sites again, those travel sites are so weird and they bump things up the more you look
i always look that stuff up using a private/incognito browser window because of that, but it is a good tip!
Yeah for me from the west coast, it’s actually far more expensive to fly to chicago than the usual cost to LAX
Cheapest I saw was 238 each way. Whomp whomp. Living in Texas is terrible for cheap flights.
ok ok, $75 if I drive to Houston first but I’d have to hang out in ORD for like 8 hours, lol
There is this rainbow tunnel in O’Hare that I hang out in because I’m pretty much the gayest. Lots to do for 8 hours m’friend.
I am so excited about not having to buy a plane ticket!! Also will there be a klub deer?
i feel like surely there can’t be a klub deer, ’cause that’s in california, but i’ve been googling animals native to wisconsin, and there could be a klub badger, or klub beaver (hey hey), or klub brown bat, klub eastern cottontail rabbit (very catchy), klub prairie mole…
been pitching klub bat for years
nobody ever lets me do it
i was kinda into klub prairie mole personally, but klub bat sounds good too; all black clothes or NO ENTRY. people with wings in the VIP section.
best goth night on the mountain, i bet that burner queer chick from the cafeteria at alpine would go.
We have tons of deer in WI, if that’s helpful.
Yes! New venue, same pumping tunes & dance extravaganzas.
HAND ME THE AUX CORD IT’S GONNA BE A PARTY
I can’t come this time but I would come a second year because YOU HAD ME AT “ULTIMATE FRISBEE FIELD”
exciting! go team A-camp!
/wistful sigh
JUST WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I AM EXCITED THANK YOU FOR LISTENING BYYYYEEEEE
Y’ALL i’ve never seen a single fall leaf in my life & if you come to this camp you are invited to the off-the-schedule queer leaf-jumping workshop with me. AKA COME TO THIS CAMP I WANNA SEE HOW CUTE YOU LOOK IN A SWEATER!!!
I’M SO EXCITED FOR ALL THE SWEATERS/HOODIES/BOOTS.
can confirm i’m cuddly as fuck in a sweater
will hug you /with consent/
will allow it, don’t tell anyone
Does anybody know if there will be camp next year? If so…anywhere near Northeast Ohio? I am very excited!
Noooo! So unprepared financially for this :( I do hope midwest A-Camp happens again in the future as I live in the Bermuda Triangle of midwest and south and I could drive there!
Well I just sent in my registration. SHIT.
I can’t wait to see the A-Camp world cast in orangey-red goodness… Autumn in the midwest is literally the PRETTIEST.
I’M SO EXCITED FOR CAMP! Now… back to work.
This TOTALLY works with my schedule-work will be slow and I have started accumulating and am able to use vacation time!-but unfortunately it’s not a good idea for me right now as I’m trying to pay off about 3.5k in credit card debt with a terrible interest rate. If ya’ll do this around the same time next year, or if the West Coast camp is moved to a time that works with my schedule, I’m totally down! I hope everyone has a super gay time :)
Sigh, as much as me and my very-useless-in-the-southwest hoodie collection would like to go, like the bear, I must hibernate in the winter to save for A-camp, and I haven’t done any hibernating yet.
I would love to be able to make it to a-camp!! crucial question tho before i register: Am I allowed to bring my dog? He is sweet, friendly and gentle, still a puppy, fully clipped and vaccinated, and adorable. We go everywheres together.
I WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT WISHING I COULD GO TO CAMP BUT HOW IT’S TOO HARD TO GET TO THE COASTS THIS IS PERFECT IT’S LIKE AN HOUR AWAY FOR ME THANK YOU
…sorry, didn’t mean to shout. Just excited. :)
YOU’RE WELCOME!
I’ve been capslocking in the same spirit since the logo went up yesterday SO. EXCITED. for a-camp midwest
All I can say is PLEASE do this in the Midwest again with more warning. I so so want to go but there’s no way I’m going to be able to scrape up the funds for me and my girl with barely 8 weeks to plan. :(((( Agh so close!!
The new campsite looks very Wet Hot American Summer tbh and I ain’t mad. Hopefully registration doesn’t fill up by tomorrow. Gotta see that pay stub before I make my final decision yo
OoO! Thanks Andrea! xox
There’s a yurt!!!! But really, you had me at A-Camp.
awwww
Sometimes I question whether my love for AS/A Camp is too much. (but is that even possible?). Cause in the last A+ Insider there was a picture of Cecilia and Nurse Viv from spring 2016 camp, but it was captioned Fall 2016 (probably still is), and given that’s not a usual kind of typo I had a really strong hunch that there were fall camp plans happening. So like??? do I think about camp too much? maybe? or I should look into a career of typo detective work….
IMPRESSIVE WORK
there are clues to all sort of insider secrets lurking around here in our typos
Ooo @riese you were too excited and let it slip early!
OH MY GOODNESS I DID
Ahh I registered! This sounds so great! It is a much shorter flight for me than California.
The last camp I went to was Snow-camp a few years back. That time, I couldn’t fully appreciate it as I had altitude sickness/camp plague and spent most of it in my bunk feeling sorry for myself.
So fingers crossed this time, less sickness, less snow, more acamp :)
there is a zero chance of altitude sickness at this camp ZERO!
LIKE!
Hmmm $212 for a flight. Would any other Michiganders want to road trip? It’s only 5.5 hours from Ann Arbor.
You should ask this on the Michigan Straddlers Group (ask to join if you haven’t already)!
We drove there from Ann Arbor and had a gay ol time !
I also live in Ferndale! As long as you’re okay with listening to Harry Potter audio books on the road, then I have plenty of room in my car.
Okay but guys. Where is Wisconsin? I don’t even know if its a state (trying to think if Miss Wisconsin was a character on Miss Congeniality or not). I’m now going to spend a few hours planning a trip to a camp I can’t go to (for so many reasons) but it gives me hope that future camps might be more affordable for me.
Regardless, I miss you all. Every single one of you
I’m assuming you’re from outside the country? If you’re an American there is NO EXCUSE FOR THIS, but if not it’s totally excusable. Unless you’re just joking in hopes of making a Wisconsinite (like myself) all angry about. ;)
Wisconsin is basically dead center of the country, up north bordering Canada. Yes, it’s a state. Most of the time.
wow i am SO SAD i will not be at this camp to flaunt my VERY IMPRESSIVE flannel collection.
#plaidprom4lyfe
But I turn 21 in December. I’m so freaking sad.
But also happy because it’s amazing how far you’ve come.
Kudos.
So you definitely have to be 21 though?
I’M SO EXCITED, THIS IS AN HOUR FROM MY HOUSE AND I SIGNED UP BEFORE I EVEN FINISHED READING!
I’ve tried to go to the last 3 camps, but have had other obligations I couldn’t move the last 3 years, and I am SO EXCITED TO FINALLY GET TO GO!
Thank you! :)
YOU’RE WELCOME! I saw your excitement on twitter yesterday and it warmed my heart
Is A-Camp always an over 21 deal?
I can’t wait until I’m 21, just for this reason
Usually it is 18+ but for a camp this small the insurance would be too much, hopefully we can have younger people in the spring though!
So spring camp is going to be in Wisconsin too?
important question
I did it. I registered. My employment status for late September is up in the air right now, but it’s the weekend of Rosh Hashanah, so I can probably get out of whatever job I have for religious reasons (LOL). Also, the midwest is a much shorter/cheaper flight from NYC than California.
Is anyone flying to and from camp from NYC and would be interested in flying with me? I have travel anxiety and would feel so much better if I had a plane buddy. I’ll need to do a non-stop flight from Laguardia or JFK. Please comment/message me if you’re interested. :)
I work at a college and September is my busiest month
And I’m not supposed to take time off for personal trips during the semester
And I already have to take two other Thursdays off in October for work trips
And I spent way too much money in Europe last week
Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd…
*Googles flights to Wisconsin anyway*
(i’m missing 3 days in the first monh of my first year of grad school for it so like…DO ITTTTTT (but no peer pressure))
All the available flights get in too late :( :( :(
Omg, omg, omg. I logged back in, after being away, so long for this! YES! I wanted to go to the last one on the west coast but this is perfect. A quick drive up. LOVE THIS SO MUCH! <3
<3 <3 <3
uhhhhh that’s like four hours away from me and I am REALLY, REALLY, /REALLY/ TEMPTED
In my experience following that temptation leads to great things, because camp is soooo wonderful! I’m sad I can’t go this time because every time is different and powerful in new ways.
This is so awesome! Does this mean that A-Camp will be coming to the east coast next? Oh, please say yes.
I just registered and now I’m freaking out because I’ve never been to A-Camp before and meeting new people is scary!!! But I’m also super excited because I’ve always wanted to go to A-Camp and now I have paid vacation days for the first time in my life and this is actually gonna happen!!!
i think this is a very good decision!
SAME!
The thing I like most about this is ALL the things.
Is there any chance of having a day trip option??? There is no way I can scrape together the funds to come for the whole time, but I would totally pay to come hang out for a day if I could!
no, unfortunately :-( A-Camp is an experience that starts when it starts and ends when it ends
I would have never thought A-Camp would come to Wisconsin, the place of my birth. Never would I ever of thought I couldn’t go because Hahahahahaha, I moved to the West Coast. Everyone is going to have such a good time. Please warm weathered people bring lots of layers. It could be really nice or it could be cold. Who knows? EVERYONE HAVE SO MUCH FUN. I’m restraining myself from providing Wisconsin facts.
nikki! why on earth would you restrain yourself from that ??!
y i k e s @ the pic of me singing with Sadie and J.O.Y.
I’m so bummed – I would be there if I didn’t already have plans that weekend :( but hopefully there will a next one….*fingers crossed!!!*
Also Y’ALL
I love fall camps
(I wish fall camp had the cabins still though)
Summer is not my ideal season
I Melt At Around 75 Degrees
And now if I choose to do Fall Camp next year, it means I must wait Over A Year until camp again!
What if I wanna fall camp but my camp buds wanna spring camp?? I WASN’T EMOTIONALLY PREPARED FOR THIS
I wish I could go but I’ll be on a cruise that week. First time I miss camp since snow camp
And actually this gives me an idea, Straddler Cruise 2017. Just like camp but on a boat
Exciting! This is last minute, but this is probably the first time A-Camp when I have both the time and funds to go…it’s also helpful that it’s only a 5 hr drive rather than halfway across the country. I’m probably one of few lesbians who is not a fan of camping, but the fact that it’s more resort than rugged campground is a plus for me. All the fun of camp fashion without roughing it too much. Also, pleasantly surprised by the presence of Be Steady – I’ve been a fan of her music and youtube channel for years.
Hi just wanna say I hate camping, like I really dislike it, so if you wanna sit outside and drink champagne and scoff at the woods together while everyone does outdoorsy stuff, lemme know.
For sure. I have to remember to pick up champagne during the drive over…and maybe a few of those mason jar wine glasses to make the champagne camping legit.
I hate camping with all of my heart. But I do love socializing enthusiastically with queer people. Also, flannel.
This is so wonderful to hear!
Oh my dear goodness. REGISTERED. I’ve been trying to get to the west coast A camp for 3 years but could never swing it financially, and I’ve been lurking on here for just as long haha. I am so incredibly stoked. And anxious. Definitely anxious. But good anxious!! (new people, gah!).
Can’t wait to meet all you lovelies in a few weeks!!!!! <3
Excited to meet you too!
Very! Very! Excited!
A little plea from an overseas straddler….is there anyway of announcing the camps earlier? I am desperate to come, but as they tend to only be announced a few months before they take place it is impossible to book time off work/get cheap flights.
I LOVE this! I never even dreamed that camp could be driving distance. I was always jealous of my cabinmates who could bring bedding and like 12 pairs of boots. I will now be one of those campers. Already registered!
i’m also excited to bring ALL THE BOOTS
I’m trying to figure out if I can go. Can anyone tell me if the spots are full or almost full yet?
we’ve still got space! this is the most last-minute we’ve ever announced a thing, so we’re expecting it to fill up a little more slowly.
Hey quick question – will the spring camp also be in Wisconsin, or will it be in California? Tryna figure out which Camp would be kinder to my budget/schedule ?
Do most people come to camp with friends/partners?
Trying to gauge risk of death by social anxiety if I don’t.
>_<
I’m going alone!! And I haven’t been before, so I’ll be meeting everyone for the first time.
I’m going alone and it’s my first camp too so I totally feel this
Yet another passenger on the “going alone and first time attendee” train, here! I’m hoping childlike wonder and awe at all of our collective and coinciding existences will quash the anxiety :3
If only this weren’t the week before the deadline of a project I’ve been working on all year! You’re less than an hour away. So close, yet so far…
So unexpected and so exciting! My first camp! I’m flying from the west coast but the timing works out for me so I signed up as soon as I read about it!! Can’t wait to meet you all :)
Any locals have tips for a California native about the weather at that time/what to pack?
Layers, layers, layers. The weather is notorious for rapid and unexpected swings from uncomfortably warm-quite cool. With the way the weather’s been out here lately, I’d err on the warmer-weather side of things, but tbh since we’re still like 8 weeks out a lot can change.
I’m personally planning on a pair of shorts and pants apiece, with a few tshirts and zip ups/hoodies. Maybe a heavier sweatshirt/windbreaker for an extra layer if it’s looking cooler/rainy.
Oh and also! Good shoes/socks!!! Having a sturdy/wind proof shoe (think a good tennie) and a bit of a thicker sock can make the difference between beautiful toasty comfort and abject misery. (I’m planning on a pair of nice hiking boots just in case it’s wet/rainy)
Anywho, uh. Rant over. #midwestforlife ;)
^^^I second these Rewster sentiments.
This seems so great, and I would love to go! I really, really love this website, and everything you have planned for this seems amazing!….But I’d be nervously wondering if I belonged there the entire time. I’m non-binary/agender/ trans masculine (if that’s what you want to call it), and I’m always worried that I’m intruding on spaces like this by being there.
This is the best news EVER! It comes at a perfect time, too! I just came to the realization that I need to do something besides go to work, come home, sleep, repeat.
My wife and I want to go so bad we’ve been checking our email every few minutes just hoping we both get an email, cuz we are on the wait list. If we don’t get to go this camp we will definitely be at the next one!
Bollocks! On the wait list….
Got my email saying it was my turn to register, sent out at midnight on Saturday. So now that it’s not the weekend, I’ve taken the time off of work, and am hoping my name comes up AGAIN. I thought they were only supposed to be sent out between 6 and 6?
I guess I can cancel the time off, if it doesn’t happen. I’m a little annoyed that there was no way for me to actually register and risk 75$ USD if I couldn’t get the time off of work, which I could only do this morning.
Awesome! Glad I stumbled on this. The midwest is gearing up for the Ohio Lesbian Festival this weekend. Now that Michfest is a memory, the attendance there is swelling tremendously. It is great to see a resurgence in festivals/camps happening. I run the Lesbian Dayton social group – we have about 600 women on our list. I recently set up a private online community for us, and we have an area for Pride/Festivals (I’ll be adding camps to that!) – so will post it there. Hope the event is a sell out!