![]() Ultimately, our research confirmed what I had suspected: Camps aligning themselves with the Reform and Reconstructionist Jewish movements seem ahead of the curve when it comes to LGBTQ issues. While there are a handful of incredible camps for gender-nonconforming and transgender kids, our daughter wanted a traditional sleepaway experience where she could simply be “one of the girls.” ![]() Especially after Gabby told us vehemently, “I’m not going to trans camp,” which was a decision we respected. When we first began researching camps, my husband and I weren’t even sure sleepaway camp would be possible for our daughter. And how would the vagina-bearing girls - and let’s be honest, their parents - feel about their kids changing, let alone living in the same bunk as a girl with a penis? Breasts and bushes aside, we all looked similar and had few qualms about dressing or undressing in a crowd.īut how would my penis-bearing daughter feel changing in a room full of vaginas, I often wondered when the topic of camp arose. Yes, things had gotten a little awkward one summer at my old sleepaway camp when my boobs started growing before some of my bunkmates, and when my friend sprouted pubic hair when the rest of us hadn’t, but for the most part, all of us girls were in the same boat. Picture an old-school Loehmann’s dressing room - add some beds, cubbies and a multi-stall bathroom/shower area, and you’re looking at a traditional bunk. Privacy at sleepaway camp is minimal, often nonexistent. And even though I loved my camp experience (eight summers as a camper, four as a counselor, and I still sing color war cheers and alma maters in the shower), I could only imagine the anxiety she was feeling. Regardless, I knew she was feeling anxious. I honestly didn’t think being transgender would prevent her from making friends. ![]() ![]() “No one wants to be friends with the new kid.” And then a few seconds later: “Especially the new trans kid.” ![]()
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