Once upon a time we had a dream. It involved a couple hundred of you, 35 of us, a group retreat site in the San Bernadino Mountains and a weekend packed with workshops, panels, activities and performances designed to inspire, educate, entertain and/or make you laugh — basically, it was the spirit of this website manifested in three entire dimensions. We wanted to create a special (and affordable!) space where you could be yourself, enhance your relationships within the international queer community, support Autostraddle and make new friends forever.
It was a dream called A-Camp, and it was a dream that came true the last weekend of April, 2012. We did it again in September 2012, and it was even more amazing than the first time.
Obviously, we’re doing it again.
Details
When:
Thursday May 23rd – Monday May 27th, 2013+
Where:
Alpine Meadows Retreat Center in Angelus Oaks, California. It’s 1.5 hours from Palm Springs, 2 hours from Los Angeles, 2.5 hours from San Diego, 4 hours from Las Vegas, 5 hours from Phoenix and 8 hours from San Francisco. We’ll be running shuttles from LAX to the campsite from 10 AM to 3PM on May 23rd and shuttles back to LAX from 8AM ’til 11AM on May 27th.
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Who:
You weirdos! Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome — in September, our campers ranged in age from 18 to 50 and came from all over the world, including lots of Canadians and quite a few Australians and United Kingdomers. Half our campers were over 25 and half were under. About 30% of our campers were returning and 70% were new.
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Lodging:
You’ll be having the bestest biggest surprise slumber party of your life in fully insulated, carpeted & heated cabins with private bathroom/showers/baths and generously-sized bunk beds. You’ll be sharing these cabins with somewhere between 10 and 17 others, led by two counsellors from Team Autostraddle. Cabin groups are designed with your needs in mind (we meet all roommate requests!).
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How:
Tuition is $375 and is all-inclusive. No extra fees.
Just $50 down reserves your spot!
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Your tuition includes:
- Four nights lodging (linens included)
- Three meals a day with snacks – and this time we’ll be working with the chef to design a menu and options catered specifically for our group, and there are vegetarian, vegan & gluten-free options
- Full access to a variety of activities, workshops, panels, sports and arts & crafts. You’ll also have the option to get fun one-on-one stuff like an Alternative Lifestyle Haircut or an Individual Style Consultation, all included!
- Kickass Tote Bag packed with amazing things such as an awesome A-Camp T-Shirt !
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What the hell goes on at A-Camp?
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For more information about what goes on at A-Camp, you can check out our recaps from April and September’s camp and testimonies from campers about the joy of the experience. Keep in mind that this time around, things will be even more awesome.
A-Camp Daytime
Days at A-Camp are spent participating in a variety of programming options offered by the Autostraddle Team and special guests — Color Wars! Gender Panel! How To Pick Up Chicks! Morning Hike! Coming Out Panel! DIY Home Projects! Trans* Discussion Group! Meet & Geek! The Truth About Cats and Dogs! Lesbian Jeopardy! The Sex Panel! Free Swim! There’ll be lots of new stuff this time and we’ll be following through on your requests for things like a Bisexuality Panel, a Kink Panel and more interactive workshops. There’ll also be a Quiet Room for people to decompress and enjoy the Camp Autostraddle Library.
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A-Camp After Dark
Every night offers plenty of opportunities for fun-fun-fun! Every camp opens with an all-camp campfire hosted by Julie Goldman and closes with an all-camp Talent Show and Dance With DJ Carlytron. In September, we enjoyed a wet/riotous game of Faggity Feud With Julie & Brandy, hosted a Staff Reading (our most well-loved event/activity in the history of camp) which will become a new A-Camp tradition. Other evening activities have included Hav & The Hav-Nots (a musical performance from Haviland Stillwell and the A-Camp Band), all-camp wide games and S’Mores. May Camp will definitely feature a Julie & Brandy Game Show, stand-up from DeAnne Smith and will probably feature my personal fantasy Evening of Lesbian Folk-Rock Music starring Julie Goldman, Somer, Marni, Haviland and other talented teamsters! Much more TBA! (And for night owls, revelry continues all night long in various lodges.)
The Talent
We like to bring smart talented lesbians with lots of shit going on to entertain, educate, and hang out with you. They come because they believe in Autostraddle and A-Camp and we’re really excited about our Talent Roster (so far!) this time:
Julie Goldman & Brandy Howard – You know Julie & Brandy from their hit Autostraddle webseries In Your Box Office, but that’s not all the duo does together — they’re staff writers for E! Fashion Police WIth Joan Rivers, are regular guests on The Gay Pimpin’ Podcast. Julie Goldman is a world-renowned lesbian comedian and star of the former Logo TV program TThe Big Gay Sketch Show, and has also appeared in Bones, DTLA, The Sopranos, The New Normal, Weeds and Best Friends Forever. Brandy Howard has appeared in 56 beer commercials, as well as Untold, Ditching Party, Just Shoot Me! and It’s Like, You Know.
DeAnne Smith – DeAnne blogs for Autostraddle, but mostly she’s known for her hiLARIOUS stand-up and prolific career as a comic. DeAnne has appeared on Last Coming Standing, Good News Week, Canada’s The Comedy Network, HBO Canada and has won and been nominated for heaps of awards all over the world, such as the Sydney Comedy Festival’s Time Out Best Newcomer and the Barry Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Somer Bingham – You know Somer from the terrifying Showtime reality series The Real L Word, throughout which Somer remained a low-key down-to-earth human amid a gaggle of oversexed lesbians, but if you really wanna get real you’ve gotta read our amazing interview with her. Somer hosted SOMER FRIDAYS for Showtime with her wife Donna and heads up Clinical Trials, a “thrashy all-female electro grunge rock [band] with a side of angst.”
The cast of Unicorn Plan-It – You know the ladies of Autostraddle’s hit webseries Unicorn Plan-It — Haviland Stillwell is an actress & singer (her first album “How I Role,” debuted in 2009), who appeared on Broadway in Fiddler On The Roof and Les Miserables and onscreen in Single Ladies, The Client List, CSI: New York and Eastwick; among others. Ashley Reed is a screenwriter/producer & playwright and Sarah Croce (Miss April 2011) is an actress, producer & editor you may have seen in Levi’s Jeans Commercials, Flick’s Chicks, Girl Talk, GO Mag’s Red Carpet or The Real L Word Parody.
Mollie Thomas – 2013 Autostraddle Calendar Girl Mollie Thomas was the first openly gay woman running for Miss California USA. Mollie taught a pole-dancing class at September Camp and is very active in Animal Rescue and animal rights work!
How Is This Camp Not Like All Other Camps?
If you’ve been to camp before, rest assured that in May 2013, we’ll be blowing your minds with heaps of new activities and scheduling that offers a little more breathing room. In addition to returning (but reworked) classics like The Gender Panel, we’ll be rolling out a series of more tightly-focused activities that really utilize the talent and expertise of our staff. We can’t wait to see what our new team members come up with!
We put a new twist on the experience every time (and get progressively more organized), so the only way to know the whole story is to come to camp, obvs.
Okay, I’m in. What Now?
If you wanna get on the saddle and trot on over to A-Camp with us this spring, here’s what you’ve gotta do:
1. For the low low price of a $50 non-refundable deposit, you can snag your spot for the spring festivities. Please read the instructions at the top of each registration interface page if anything seems remotely complicated.
2. When registration fills up, you can put yourself on the waitlist. Be sure to put an e-mail address you check regularly & often, so you don’t miss our note if you’re up!
3. If you’re driving in on Thursday, please plan to arrive between 12:00 noon and 5:30 PM. On Monday, please plan to leave by noon.
4. If you’re looking for flights and will need transportation from the airport, then please book your incoming flights for Thursday, May 23rd to get in by 2 PM at the latest. (E-mail camp [at] autostraddle [dot] com to make arrangements for later flights.) Camp officially begins at 6 PM. There will be activities going on throughout the afternoon, but mostly we want to allow you time to get settled in before your counsellors take you into the woods and brand you for life while howling at the moon.
If you’ll need transportation to the airport on Monday, May 27th, there will be busses leaving at 8, 10 and 11, so don’t book a flight that leaves any earlier than 1PM.
5. If you need to cancel, you can just log back in to the registration interface and cancel!
Notes on Payments and Payment Plan
In the past, we’ve offered a Payment Plan, but we’re not doing that this time — BUT DO NOT DESPAIR! Although most vacations require their entire tuition upfront, we’re giving you five months before the tuition payment deadline. The registration system allows for partial payments, so you can create-your-own payment plan — all we ask is that you put down at least $100 towards your tuition by March 1st and pay all your tuition by April 1st. If those deadlines don’t work for you, just email us and we can work something out! We’re real people, know money can be tight, and will do everything we can to work with you to get you there. We’re super flexible as long as you communicate with us.
The reason for those deadlines (and part of the reason we’re abandoning payment plans) is a chronic problem we’ve had with people signing up for camp, putting down a deposit and holding that spot for months without making more than one payment, then often finally canceling when it’s too late for us to fill the spot. Coordinating payment plans and chasing people down has evolved into a nightmare and we bit off more than we could chew. We ended up with quite a few empty spots at last camp due to various problems with abandoned payment plans and non-responsiveness — and because the camp gets final numbers from us six weeks before you arrive, we also ended up at both camps paying the camp for campers who never paid us or showed up. We have to simplify that process this time for mutual sanity, and so we are!
FAQ:
Q: How do you win camp?
Q: I’m really super poor but I want to go so bad!
A: Firstly, this is a once-in-a-lifetime Utopia-esque situation, I recommend getting your emergency funds out. But we get that hard times are here for some of you, and that’s why we’re giving you five months after putting down your deposit to come up with the money.
Q: I’m still too poor.
A: We do give out between 5-8 camperships (based on space and the amount of campership donations) per session. To apply, campers submit essays explaining why they deserve to get a campership. Please note that we get heaps more applicants than we have camperships. There will be a post about this soon.
Q: Is there Wi-Fi?
A: NOPE! I know it’s scary!
Q: Will there be any free time?
A: Yup! I mean you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, and we’ll be adding more free/flexible time this camp. Go read by the river or go videotape your friend hiding in a tree like a monkey or just lie on the grass or in your bed. You can do whatever you wanna do, you’re a grown-up!
Q: What’s the deal with alcohol?
A: Drinking isn’t part of any A-Camp activities and we do not serve alcohol. But if you’re over 21 and wish to drink at camp, you have to bring your own alcohol, put your name on it, and store it in one of our designated lodges (food/drink are prohibited in cabins because of bears) where you can access it whenever you want. We’ll be providing a “substance-free cabin” option for anyone over 21 who would prefer to room with other abstainers, as well as designated substance-free evening programming/space.
Q: Can I work at camp?
A: No, our camp is staffed entirely in-house. But if you’re coming to camp already and you’ve got a special skill/talent and would like to propose a workshop, email marni [at] autostraddle [dot] com and robin [at] autostraddle [dot] com.
Q: Are there extra charges for anything?
A: If you need a shuttle to or from LAX, it’s $25 each way. Everything else is included. Depending on demand, we may offer a ropes course option at $20 for each attendant.
Q: Me and my girlfriend/all my friends want to go together, can we stay in the same cabin?
A: Yes.
Q: I can’t come to camp but would like to help somebody else get there, can I do that?
A: Absolutely! We’ll have a post up in the next month or so about how to help send somebody else to camp via the Power of Magic Camperships.
Q: When are you doing an East Coast camp?
A: I know this seems like SUCH a good idea! But for a zillion reasons including a shorter off-season and the fact that most of our team lives on the West Coast, this simply isn’t affordable or logistically possible for us right now — and in turn, for you. This is something we hope to do in the future but we’re not sure when that will be yet, so don’t hold your breath. However, it’s worth noting that we picked a site near LA because it’s one of the cheapest airports to fly into in the country.
Q: What about A-Camp in CANADA?!
A: The expenses required to put on A-Camp in any other country would drive your cost to about $2,000 for a weekend, and that’s before plane tickets, passport fees, etc. If we ever do an international A-Camp, it would be years from now.
Q: When is the next camp after this camp?
A: We’re not 100% positive yet, but it will probably be in October at the same site.
Q: Who should I email with my pressing question?
A: Camp directors Marni [marni at autostraddle dot com] and Robin [robin at autostraddle dot com]
Q: What’s that link again?
A: Here it is!
Q: Anything else?
A: Please we beggeth of you from the deepest depths of your beating heart, to make sure we have an email address for you that you check often. We will be sending you updates via e-mail and it’s imperative that you receive and respond!
Register Now!
I GET PAID THURSDAY, IT’S GONNA BE ON. (THEN).
JUST TAKE MY MONEY
DeAnne!! Yes!!!!
omg I just signed up for my first A Camp is this real life aaahhhh
DOESN’T IT FEEL GOOD
I kind of want to ignore you guys just so I can get the aggressive carrier pidgeons to come to my house.
DEANNE SMITH!
Trust me, no one is more excited about DeAnne Smith being there than me.
I think I might be more excited
REGISTERED! I registered even though I can’t put my days off request in until January 1st. I’m confident the Queer Gods will hear my prayers.
I’m also excited to be in a big cabin this time! Last time I chose the sober cabin and it was small, but nice. But I want to be in a big cabin this time so I can experience having a big gay family at camp :)
OMG an evening of lesbian folk-rock music
YES
HURRY UP AND GET HERE, MONTH OF MAY!
You guys isn’t the logo SO AMAZING? Alex Vega, ladies and gentlemen.
It is. It really is.
Alex Vega you are one craft gal.
agreed.
yess, i absolutely love the new logo! (like everything alex vega creates)
Well gee! Thanks guys!
She is so crafty!
I like how it reminds me a little bit of the ymca logo because that reminds me of the first summer camp I ever went to. While that camp kind of sucked and scarred me for life, it will also always hold a place in my heart. As will A-Camp, if I get my shit together and register.
LINENS INCLUDED!?!?!? YUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!
Registered. And omigod, I’m excited to meet Kade and Kristen.
imma give you a high five dude
Dude.
<3
This is a thing that’ll happen unless I get frostbite.
Took me all of 5 seconds to reserve my spot. See you in May!
!
*sigh* The first A-Camp I can’t go to! Ah well, Oct 2013 will have to be it. HAVE FUN IN THE MOUNTAINS LOVELIES.
I don’t like this!
I miss your face.
well there’s just one solution to that. sign up, lets fly into SF together, stay w/ dena&diana for a few days/till they kick us out, drive down to LA, go to camp, have an extensive search for my rolling paper(optional), head back to germany, cry/be hungover on the plane
<3
My bb Germans. <3
I like everything about that idea. Join one of the many SF carpools going down.
yes! also we have to hang out when I come to sf. are you going to camp?
Yes I am and yes we do!
Nice new logo Alex!!
Thanks Geneva!
Hey what if we don’t have flight info yet? I can’t afford to buy my ticket right now but it is asking for flight information…
You can go back and fill in the blanks. All that’s needed now is the $50 and whatever the angry red asterisk demands.
it will still let you through, just hit continue at the bottom!
Thanks!
that’s the key to reading the directions at the top :-)
Naturally all of my A-Camp feelings were interfering with my ability to read.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
I just peed a little.
YOU GAYS BREN IS COMING TO CAMP.
BREN.
AT CAMP.
#BRENATCAMP
THIS IS THE BEST NEWS.
BREN!
I’m weeping!
BREN YES
feel like ‘bren yes’ should be the new ‘fuck yes.’ is that where you were going with this.
I was driving to Starbucks to work on a paper when the FB notification went up. I pulled into the nearest place with Wi-Fi, which was McDonald’s.
I drank shitty coffee while listening to children scream in the Playplace, just so that I could register immediately.
THAT’S HOW MUCH I CARE ABOUT A-CAMP, YOU GUYS.
I spent a questionable amount of time in the cooler at work. SO EXCITED.
I had this date on my calendar and was so excited this morning when it came up. Several agonizing hours later of refreshing Autostaddle continually, finally signed up! Really excited to see all your bright shiny faces again!
Haha, that was totally me, too! I was like “Could I have the date wrong?” So neurotic! :)
Done and done. See all you loverlies in a few months! I’m looking at you Carmen, Alice. . . who am I kidding? I love you all.
Yesssss! I am registered. Can’t wait to see you tooo!
Also, I will once again be bringing my black market of all things consumable and/or liquor related.
So happy you guys are going. Alice 3/3 as bunk mate!?
OBVS! You, me, Katie, and Hilary are the secret powerhouse of cabin mates.
I want in on this. for real.
ALICE.
i can’t wait to see your beautiful face and car trunk full of treasures!
i also want your thoughts on klub deer playlists.
AHHHHHHH OMG <3 <3 <3 <3
bring cigs to sell, alice.
yes. you’re gonna make a killing
Yes! Torre!
Yay!!!
Yaaaaaaaay! I just registered. So stoked for this, guys! :)
So excited!
Also worth mentioning:
I wore my Unicorn Plan-It shirt yesterday, slept in my Sept. Camp shirt last night, and am wearing my Auto Straddle This shirt in celebration.
I’m going to be extra careful on my bike from now until A-camp so I don’t have to cancel this time.
SO EXCITED.
Ahhh! I’m registered.
I don’t know any of you, but I kind of love all of you. I am fairly certain that this is the best/scariest decision of my life.
definitely the best decision of your life.
I felt the same way when I first registered for September, the idea was terrifying for a shy and semi-introvert like myself, but that quickly faded once I arrived and met my peers. The bond you form with some people will feel like you’ve known them forever.
There is so much love that goes around, you will never be able to process all of the feelings. Trust me.
oh lesbian jesus, why is registration so early?
I think I won’t make it this time around because I can’t plan for next may plus I seriously have 2 euros on my bank account today.
but I’ve decided that if I don’t make it I’ll donate a campership cause you know, everyone deserves to go to camp and shit ain’t that expensive in euros anyway.
buuuut it’s probs not gonna fill up just now aaaand if you put down the 50$ you don’t have to worry again until march!
also 50$ are not even 40€!!!look it’s getting less already and thats also gonna happen with all the other numbers having a $sign following them
I’m not sure either if I can make it, so lets be uncertain together
ALSO APPARENTLY LINENS ARE INCLUDED THIS TIME SO THERE’S ANOTHER 20 YOU’D SAVE!
waiting list….we’ll see.
!
It is crushing my soul that I can’t come to this camp. I’m really happy for the rest of you, but holy sweet unicorn babies, I am so upset I can’t go.
I’M GOING TO MISS YOU SO MUCH!!! who else will entertain me with stories about super sugared up raccoons on very creepy people that hang around in national parks?
Put me on speaker phone and I’ll tell everyone park stories. Actually, I’ll probably be in the middle of a crazy story at the time of the call because that weekend is always redonk (hence not being able to go).
Yes, Jen you have the best stories! maybe you can write one out for us and we can read to the cabin aloud for you.
So, so bummed you will not be with us.
We should pick a midway point between us to meet, drink whiskey and cry.
YES.
NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I so wanted to go and I was planning but I don’t know if I can swing it… I’m sure hope I can figure this out soon. I’ve never wanted to go to camp this much (or at all).
yes i hated summer camp but look, i made a camp anyhow, that’s what a good camp it is
Awesome. I think I can actually afford to attend this, this time around. Now if only I had an awesome group of queer girl friends here in Phoenix that would want to carpool with me for the 5 hour drive, then I’d just be smitten.
you’ll find some!
GURL. There are a bunch of us in PHX.
aaaannnd we’re already planning on carpooling. So.
so many! there’s even an email list and we’re going to go to roller derby sometime in december and last weekend we went to a comic book store in mesa on our way to the haunted house bar. I AM SIMPLY SAYING, ANNETTE.
WTF. I’m missing out terribly, it seems. Let me in guise to your awesome Internetz group ;_;.
They are speaking so much truth. ASPHX is the best.
Don’t let Tucson hear you say that, they’ll kick you out XD
ANNETTE send me your contactual info laneia [at] autostraddle [dot] com
I AM SO EXCITED.
My first time in America will be at A Camp, so perfect! I wonder if anyone else from Ireland will be going? The price of flights kind of scares me but I’ll just live on noodles for a year, I DONT EVEN CARE.
oooO! i had a camper last session from australia whose first trip to America was A-Camp and i think it worked out pretty well
I <3 Americans, I <3 Queers, I <3 American Queers. It's going to be the best thing ever!
I <3 people from Ireland. Camp will definitely be the best thing ever.
Why yes, yes it did Riese. Also, my second time in America will be my second A-Camp. Just to keep with the pattern.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
runagays reunion is happening.
I want to be a Runagay for real!
Well I’m on the waiting list for May, as my computer and I had a falling out. However, if I can survive backpacking the world all the way to October, I’ll be there. :)
Aimee! I just moved back home from living in Ireland! So maybe I can be pretend Irish (I hear we Americans like doing that) if no one else claims the spot? We can even debate the merits of Connemara Cask Strength Whiskey vs Tyrconnell or Green Spot (or others!)
And by debate, I mean drink…unless you don’t like whiskey…
Of course I drink Whiskey! I could possibly even be persuaded to bring over some awesome actually from Ireland Irish whiskey…
And you would instantly become my favourite if you did! Imma already having withdrawals. I would offer to bring some awesome actually from America American Whiskey, but sadly we don’t make nearly as good of stuff as you guys (or Scotland) do. Thanks for ruining me.
Hmm speaking of which, I need to go order some online…
I am all for becoming people’s favourite. I’ll at least settle for people’s favourite Irish redhead(I’m pretty sure they’re won’t be that much competition so I’m set!) Where in Ireland were you based?
Oh, what is weather like in California in May?
Weather should be lovely. It should be quite warm when you arrive in LA but up on the mountain it will likely get cooler at night. Bring a few cardigans and something warm to sleep in. It should be nice in the day.
Gaillimh! (I think I got my Irish right…)
Cali weather in May = the complete opposite of what it’s like in Ireland!
J Lorraine I think I might rely on you to be my American-Irish translator.
For Example, does American ‘quite warm’ translate to Irish ‘holy fuck my face is melting’ and does ‘cooler’ mean ‘jaysus it’s fierce mild’!?
Expect some pm’s my dear!
Daytime weather usually between 20-25 degrees C, lows in the night can get down to 0 on a really cold day, (really rare) but usually won’t fall below 10.
Here’s a link for weather in May 2012: http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/angelus-oaks-ca/92305/may-weather/2167934
In short: it’s nice out. Most of the time.
I haven’t left Canada in 5+ years and I’m 90% sure the next time I leave it will be to A-Camp..one day, some day..
there are just so many exciting pieces of information in this post (Somer! DeAnne! Jill!) — i think the part i like best is “this time we’ll be working with the chef to design a menu”
Me too. Me too.
CRYSTAL! CAMP!
CAMPCAMPCAMP!
you’re coming?!
YAY :)
guys, guys, we have to make a giant lesbian human pyramid
I’m so excited about the food this camp, I really appreciate the effort ya’ll are putting into that menu
I managed to eat pretty well but I’m REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS TOO.
10th time’s the charm, apparently! Registered!
Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! My mom just agreed to front me the $50 dollars til I get my I’m done with the Peace Corps money! I’m gonna register tomorrow! I’m so excited! I get to be super extra gay after 2 years in Morocco!
yay for willis’ mom!!
I may have referred to it as a camp/conference for queer women and networking to try to make it sound more legit because I wasn’t sure how she’d feel about fronting me cash for queer adult summer camp. Every time I tell people I’m going to this queer camp they assume it’s for kids and ask if I’m gonna be a counselor and I have to explain that it’s far more awesome than that.
In conclusion, FUCK YEAH A-CAMP!
Welcome back to North Queerica.
Omg can you talk more about this? I’m in the process and sort of like ahhh im gay!
Don’t let your gayness scare you away from the Peace Corps. I mean I’m hella queer and in a Muslim country and people here just think I’m weird. They apparently refer to me as the one who wears men’s clothing. But nobody equates that with being gay. It just doesn’t occur to them. Feel free to message me with any specific questions you might have.
Sweet lesbian Jesus, let there still be spots on Thursday when I get paid.
Sososo saad I cannot make the leap to mAy Camp, like I’m such a boiscout I excel at camping and wilderness, but also I am saddened that I will not have the chance to meet Liz and sweep her off her feet and into Canada
kudos to whoever used the picture of me where i’m making a serious bitchface at the club photographer
i swear to god i am actually really excited to be going to a-camp and not as sullen as i appear
that was me, i thought you looked very smart in those glasses
thank you
the weight of knowledge is unhappiness towards club photographers
KATE plz be at Fall 2013 camp or else I’ll never forgive myself for missing mAy camp.
i can’t i have le work :( :( but if yr on the east coast we can find some other way to hang out
These pictures are chosen by some sort of voodoo magic. In mine I’m like 18 and pretending to be mini mouse while ironing.
I’m the only one who is drinking in their photo. A+++
…….I’m femme in my photo……….
i have an afro in my picture.
I have no clothes on in my picture.
fonseca wins.
I was looking lovingly across a table at Vanessa in my picture!
haha! you guys it has to be a picture where you’re looking at the camera and you guys don’t look at the camera very often. also for april camp i asked y’all for pics and those who did not respond were gifted with my own special selection which remains to this day
:( so sad that this is like a week before graduation meaning I have to study for finals. And the next one is in October when I’ll be just starting college and can’t go. I was hoping you would have it in september like this year, because then I could actually go. Some day, some day A camp will be a time that school isn’t ending or starting. SIGH….
Registered! I have a good feeling about May 2013 :D.
Yay Camp! I am sooo excited.
Sigh. Carry on without me this time gay campers. You will all be in my thoughts. Happily I got to take a piece of A-Camp home with me…she’s not able to make it this time either! ;)
DIGGER. I AM SO SAD. My girlfriend actually had a super sad puppy face when I relayed the disappointing news to her. She’s heard so much about you (especially with the KD bizness).
double boo for both of you not coming!
Wait, I’m dumb. So the $50 fee right now is a down payment out of the $375 (vs. a separate reservation fee)? Just trying to budget to see if I can go to my first A-Camp.
yes, the $50 holds your spot and goes towards the total $375. So after the $50 you will only owe $325.
I feel like I probably can’t afford this, but I also feel like I’ve never wanted anything more in my life than to go to A-Camp, so I might just have to give up my savings and hope that I get a lot of work over the next few months. Fuck it I’m gonna go register.
that’s the best idea
It really is. I’m pretty poor. I’m in community college, paying for that and also paying for massage school student loans. I can only work part time because I’m so busy.
Even though most of my money every month goes to bills, I MAKE myself afford A-Camp. Because it changes your life in an amazing queer-tastic way.
So every spare dollar you get a month, pay toward A-Camp. And, since we have SIX MONTHS until A-Camp, that gives you time to slowly pay it the tuition.
You will not regret it.
I think 90% of my vacation days and extra $$ will have gone to A-Camping this year. Worth it. Here we go again!
CAAAAAAAAAAAAAMP!!!!! INTERN GRACE IS COMING!!!
Mary and Grace forever and always <3 I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU BOTH AT CAMP!!!!!
Chloe!!! I can’t wait to see you guys! Once a Little Rascal, always a Little Rascal.
We will have to actually talk more, in real life this time :)
This didn’t become available till I was out of work and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get a spot BUT I DID AND I’M SO EXCITED. My bank account will be punishing me with each payment, but IT’S SO WORTH IT. :) :) :)
… By the way, does anyone know if there’s any sort of discount codes/coupons floating around for flights from NYC? That near-$400 price THIS EARLY ON is a killer. :/
Again, :) !!!
!!!!
I get emails from Southwest Airlines every week with a different sale. I am definitely keeping a lookout for any good deals and I can pass them on to anyone who wants me to! I will also post the link in the Facebook group :)
I COME BACK FROM CHINA ON MAY 19TH I MIGHT ACTUALLY DO THIS
I am so so sad! There’s always something up in my life whenever A Camp happens. My graduation ceremony is on May 24 :( *tears* I’ve never been to camp and it has always been my dream to go to camp ever since I watched The Parent Trap. I hope there will be another one and that I would be able to go.
Oh my god, y’all, I am such a huge lurker on this site, but this time camp starts LITERALLY the day after my school’s closing faculty meetings, which makes it a distinct possibility!!! I am seriously missing all the queer ladies after moving to Tennessee from Philly… Quick, someone convince me this is a good idea!
Not only is this a good idea, it’s the best idea you will ever have and you will not regret your decision to register and come to camp! I went in September and it’s the best decision I ever made :)
Okay, I registered! Eeeeeee!
Probs the best decision of you life
i am making a jar for me and a jar for my best friend (who i met through this site THANK YOU VERY MUCH) and we are going. in october. but STILL. saving till then to come from guatemala sounds like a more reasonable idea. I DONT CARE HOW FAR AWAY IT IS I’M STILL EXCITED
I’m so nervous this will fill up too soon for me to register. Don’t have the $50 now (holidays and medical bills sucking up every spare cent). But if I can’t go, at least I can sit and watch you all get so excited! Especially for first time campers. You’re all going to love it!
Launa I hope you can come!
OMG I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE OF ALL YOUR ADORABLE QUEER FACES.
#thundercats #camp #feelings
THUNDERCATS !! CARLY!! CAMP!!!
Nooooooo it’s the weekend after my best friends wedding, there’s no WAY I’ll be able to get time off work 2 weeks in a row :( BIGGEST SAD FACE.
(plus I’m so poor. And I need to finish paying for last A-Camp)
I can’t even afford the plane ticket to get there. Maybe someday I will get a job that actually pays me money. I feel very sad. Maybe I could cancel my phone for 6 months…
you don’t need a phone!
YESSSSS. I need to get out of Ohio for a few days and this is perfect.
Lurker to commenter to May camp attendee! Where will this madness end?!
I dunno, but the madness is just beginning if you’re going to camp. :)
YES. This is my graduation present to myself. First ever A-Camp!!!
Best present ever!
Yess this is how I rationalized it to myself as well. HAPPY GRADUATION TO ME. I do not care if it’s premature or potentially unearned. What’s remediation. No.
Where my Bomb Gurrrlz at? Who’s coming?
I wish :( I miss you guys so much!
With flying, the total cost of a-camp would probably be my entire tiny college-student savings. Worth it? Probably, since I’m not sure exactly what I’m saving *for* at this point… but also I’m terrified I am too shy to have fun…
It will be so worth it. A-camp is a really really good place for shy people to learn how to have fun : )
It is so worth it! I had the same feelings the first time around, ended up borrowing some money and flying my introverted ass from RI all the way to CA without knowing a single person -It was so good/magical, I went back in September and will go in May! So, if you need someone to be shy with you then, count on me + a bunch others!
Heartbreaking – I have a class at that time. Another reason why grad school is the worst! Damn you, academia, damn you!
i’m going oh my god this is HAPPENINGGGGG
yayyyyyy
I am so excited to meet everyone!
Dang, you guys, I just almost overdrew my account to sign up for this (it’s been a rough month) but I DID IT and I am so excited, and mildly terrified since I’ve never done anything like this before… but it’s mostly the butterflies of lurrrve that I’m feeling.
Not sure why I wasn’t logged in, but yeah. Ahh! Feelings!
when I think of the fact that camp is just gonna get better every time (as I’ve already witnessed april to september)…
IT BLOWS MY MIND
When I was reading this, two thoughts occurred to me:
1. This has to be the greatest/most-magical/awe-inspiring/insert other appropriate adjective(s)thing EVER!
2. Camp takes place a week after my birthday…and living in the PNW means that a flight down to Cali wouldn’t be too expensive. Hmm maybe a belated birthday gift to myself? Totes justifiable.
So much win happening in this registration announcement!
there’s no birthday gift as great as the birthday gift you give yourself
When Riese, keeper of the straddle, hands out lil’ gold nuggets of truths (such as this), how could I possibly resist? Such a valid point…
Guess I should just go put myself on the waitlist.
SO EXCITED. SO MANY FEELINGS.
There will always be reasons and excuses not to go to A-Camp. They are perfectly valid. BUT SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO GO BE WITH YOUR QUEERS IN THE MOUNTAINS.
YES PREACH
I cannot contain my excitement that I’m actually going this time, not just daydreaming about how amazing it would be. I still feel like I can’t afford this, guess I’ll nave to live on potatoes for a while. Worth it.
NOOOOOOOOOOO it’s full already!!! Fffffuuuuuuu, I hope I’m the first on the wait list. Drop out you jerks, I have to go! :(
WAITLIST. COME ON. Plssssss.
This is proof that alcohol ruins everything, because I went from work–>movies–>bar and got trashed, and somewhere along the way registration closed. BOOOOOO.
Last April, I went to A-Camp on scholarship. This year, when I donated to Autostraddle, I grabbed me a reserve spot as my perk and was able to swing the whole cost of the trip on my own. Those of you who can’t go, think about tossing in some money for a scholarship. A-Camp changes lives. For those of you who can, see you in May. Let’s be friends.
seriously how is it already full. WHAT THE FUCK. i mean, this solves my problem where i wasn’t really sure about registering, but it actually wasn’t a real problem, and i wanted to go, and i was just being wishy washy and now i am le sad.
Can’t make it to this one, but October camp is a definite possibilty!
Now, I have a serious/possibly extremely dumb question: am I able to use a straightener/hair dryer at camp? Whether or not I will be able to burn my hair with electrical appliances while on camp is actually the deciding factor on whether I will go or not!
I just freaked out at the thought of no hair dryer. I have a feeling I’m going to be teased for my super super femmey ways..
I brought my straight iron and I don’t think anyone teased me. At least not to my face, so. . . whatevs. But yea, adapter.
oh g-d, i would never organize anything to take place in a place where i couldn’t blow dry and straighten my hair, as anybody who knows me could attest. i think i used my flatiron like five times a day at camp probs
Don’t worry, we can totally femme out together! I wore dresses and lipstick every day and brought a dryer, straightener and curling iron last time.
Yay! I will be going on a makeup shopping spree before I get there as everything is soooooo much cheaper in the states, so major femme bonding will be had.
What about heels, how outdoorsy is it? I wear them pretty much every day and I’m thinking that somehow
girl with lupus+heels+somewhere with bears=bad bad idea
Femmes Unite! I would say no heels. There are paths, but they are hilly/rocky. Maybe just a cute pair for the dance. But there is a lot of walking around in the dark on the side of a mountain.
Noted :) Super cute flats will be brought. Whoo femmes!
We had a femme meetup because a bunch of us were sitting around a table realizing we had dresses but hadn’t taken them out of our suitcases yet. So we all wore our dresses the next day and sat together for lunch. No one is going to make a big deal out of it at camp, but a lot of us worry about it anyway. Rock what you like!
There was a femme meet up at camp?! How did I miss this?! Probs cuz I was too distracted by the dapper luncheon meetup.
yep! if you’re european/from somewhere other than the states DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE AN ADAPTER THO’. that shit is hard to come by/expensive even in a city like LA. learned that the hard way
Good advice! Although if some lovely queermo would let me use theirs there would be more room for Irish goodies for everyone…
I totally brought my hair dryer and no one really cared- in fact, I lent it to a few of the other girls! femme problems solved!
Holy smokes! I didn’t think i’d hesitated that long but it’s full already! Straddlers do not mess around. C’mon wait list, do me a solid. I’ll fly all the way from the far side of Australia if a spot comes up.
I was on the wait list last time and I totally got an email about two months before camp saying there was a spot for me. So, you never know!
I am bringing my first ever girlfriend over to her first ever A-Camp. :D
+1
also oh so lesbian!
apparently I can’t even properly confirm a date/concert in 3weeks.
#Iblamecommitmentissues&hillbillyrock
hey waitlisted folks! don’t despair… both camps we’ve been able to let in a lot of people off the waitlist. if you added yourself to the waitlist yesterday or today, your chances of getting in are really good.
(also, it wasn’t actually full when it initially said it was, but so many people (43!!!) had started and then not finished their applications that y’all jammed the system. so ppl at the top of the waitlist will probably get in within the next few days)
That was totes me!! I was on a ferry boat and lost reception/access, and when I got it back, it said camp was full and my little queer heart broke. But then I got my wait list email this morning and found out I am going to A-Camp!!!!! And then my little queer heart sang!!!
GUYS- I’mgoingtoACAMP. OMFG. So. Stoked.
yayya!!
Click all the happy green plus signs on all of your comments! Congrats!
WOOO! I’m going to my first ACamp! I can’t wait! LET’S BE FRIENDS AND MAYBE MAKE OUT.
“LET’S BE FRIENDS AND MAYBE MAKE OUT.”
this is the true spirit of a-camp.
Is anybody coming from the SLC/Utah area? I’m planning on flying, but if I can find one or two people to carpool I might just drive!
So… the last night is my birthday. Super happy that my birthday is on pretty much the best day of camp.
Well. Hmm. I was planning on queering it up in Germany around that time. Hmm. Guess I’ll have to wait for the October option? Damn. I want to do ALL the things.
Just signed up! What a fabulous graduation gift to myself :)
I feel as though I must tell you all that I just created an account (after being a lurker for ages) so I could say that I’ve spent hours pricing up how much it’ll cost to go whilst listening to Tegan and Sara. Clearly, I am mentally committed to going next year! Haha. Although I dunno… I may wimp out and wait until the October one. D:
About to sign up! Coming from New York, hopefully with a few lezzy friends!! So excited!! :)))
Waitlisted! Sure hope it works out. I pretty much chose to come to grad school in San Diego so I could be closer to A Camp.
Love that town, say hi to it for me! (UCSD? If so, I did my undergrad there, say hi to that place for me too. :) )
This kills! I turn eighteen just three painfully short weeks after this bad boy wraps up.
October A-Camp though, yes? I am 18 now but I have exams which decide my whole university future early June so I really shouldn’t disappear to America and mess that up. Very sad.
Goddamn I want to go so bad. I need to learn how to teleport, then all my problems would be solved.
I so wish I could come, but I’ll be at Shibaricon that weekend. :(
I’m missing Anime Boston for this, only a little bummed.
I know I am not in the staff list in the article but I wanted everyone to know that I’M ACTUALLY COMING THIS TIME, after having to miss out on the first two A-Camps! Come hell or high water! I can’t wait to meet you all there in-person!
ALREADY FULL?! FUUUUUUUUUUU EFF MY ENTIRE LIIIIIIIIIIFE
waitlisted….ughhhh…gutted!!
Does anyone know how long the wait list is?!
Well you’ll be before me. I really should’ve check the site a month ago; and answer my 50+ emails.
Marlene! I’m sorry I haven’t replied. You would be one of the many unread emails, my bad :/
Welp, I’m on the waitlist. I want to go so bad.
Guess I’m gonna try for the October one if they do it… :(
Please please please say there will be another one in October, s’il vous plait, légyszíves, bitte sehr, molim…
WHOA HOLY HECK
How can a broke gal win a campership? WHERE IS THIS MAGICAL APPLICATION YOU SPEAK OF?
I tried signing up for the waitlist back in December but I haven’t gotten an email either way… Any chance there is a spot open by now? :)
I was literally giddy reading this! What a great and fun opportunity. More wonderful things like this need to happen in real life. I’m still excited!
OMG I JUST GOT IN IM SO FREAKIN EXCITED!
I just found out I got in too!!! Yippee!!!
Is there a Facebook group for people going to May A-Camp?
What?! I’m going to A-Camp?!
Finished registration…see ya’ll there :)
Question: Flights finally booked!!! Can I book the to & from shuttle now? Else I’ll be hitching to A-Camp.
Was not expecting to get a spot off the wait list; guess it’s meant to be!
So frickin excited!
;D
Please let there be one in October! I wanna go to camp =(
Got a waitlisted spot: check.
Booked flights & other travel plans: check.
Paid all the tuition: check.
So thrilled! Thanks for the opportunity, Autostraddle!
Ah yes, I second the question, is there a facebook group about this? Also, I’m going all alone as a first timer and would love to get more details from those who have been before :)
Is anyone driving down from the the Portland or Seattle area? I have a flight book from Portland down to LA for camp, but I’d rather ride back than fly back. Happy to help with gas/road-food money! :D
so excited! only 5 more weeks of wait!!
I just woke up from a dream that I was totally shunned at A-camp and nobody liked me. Though in reality I was too late to get on the roster for the one this May.
Please tell me there will be a follow up camp in September so I can prove my dream wrong and feel like I have a community!