Camp, Community & a Whole Lot of Joy

Action Camp, 2026

Action Camp 2026 was a week of joy, discovery, connection, and community, a place where LGBTQ+ young people and their allies could show up as their full, authentic selves and know they belonged. In the woods, campers found room to be curious, courageous, silly, thoughtful, and unapologetically themselves. Action Camp is more than a week away from home. It is an opportunity to build relationships, discover new perspectives, and experience the kind of community where young people feel seen, affirmed, and empowered to imagine what is possible.

Learning was at the heart of the week, with youth leaders creating opportunities for campers to explore identity, justice, history, creativity, and self-expression. Workshops such as A Modern Timeline of Trans Rights in the U.S., Art in Mental Health, Disability Rights and Accommodations, and Feeling Trans Enough invited campers to ask big questions, challenge assumptions, share their experiences, and learn from one another.

Through these conversations, campers were encouraged not only to understand the world around them, but to recognize their own voices and power in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future.

And, of course, Action Camp 2026 was also about having an absolute blast together. From exploring the creek and getting creative with tie dye to testing new skills at archery, there was no shortage of ways to play, laugh, and make memories. Campers stepped into the spotlight during a theater activity led by About Face Theatre and slowed down to take in the natural world through birding. Whether splashing through a creek, creating something colorful, cheering each other on, or discovering a bird they had never seen before, these moments of fun became the threads that wove together a vibrant and unforgettable camp community.

In the words of this year's Campers:

“I think this is the most supportive place for anyone.”

“It changed my life.”

“I feel like its a nice place, good area to decompress from stress outside of camp.”

“This is a place where you can be yourself and be accepted by everyone.”

None of this magic happens without the people who believe in young people and invest in the power of community. We are grateful to our incredible partners, Youth Services of Glenview, for helping make Action Camp possible year after year, and to every youth leader, counselor, staff member, partner, sponsor, donor, volunteer, and supporter who helped create this experience. Together, we gave LGBTQ+ youth and their allies a place to connect, celebrate, learn, and dream boldly.

See you in 2027!