You might think that summer camp would be a place to embrace the natural, physical beauty and perfection of things just as nature made them. In many ways, this is still true. But when it comes to the real, physical human body vs. mythical, disembodied gender, it seems that even nature camp is falling prey to the predator that is gender ideology. I'm an employee at a long-established nature summer camp, and I'd like to warn parents that it's time to ask some questions at camp, even if your child has been going there for years.

Every year, a few weeks before the start of the summer camp season, our camp organization has staff training. Usually, this means pizza and soda, learning where the ponding equipment is kept, how to fill out an injury report, and what is found in your first aid kits. But this year was a bit different. Most of the training was taken up by a lesson from a DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) consultant who taught us the importance of introducing ourselves with our "pronouns." We were told that we need not discuss children's requests about different pronouns or names with parents and that if a parent should tell us they would rather we not use wrong-sex pronouns or a particular name for their child, there were ways we could work around this. There was even talk of how to "affirm" the identity of a "furry" without it becoming too much of a disruption to the group.

There are other changes at camp this year. The bathrooms are now gender-neutral, sex (male or female) is no longer included on the registration forms, and it is unclear if overnight sleeping arrangements are still segregated by biological sex. However, the American Camp Association (one of the largest camp accreditation organizations in the United States) is clear in its recommendation. They state," The accepted, affirming practice is to allow the trans child or adolescent to use those facilities that are consistent with their expressed gender. For example, a trans female camper (assigned male at birth) would sleep in the same tent or cabin with other girls and would participate in all other areas of camp that are designated for girls." (2018, American Camp Association)   

At my organization, leadership has been very reluctant to put any of the new expectations into writing. I have asked for a policy (even provided a draft of what I thought was appropriate), and reluctantly, the leadership has agreed that they will work on a "guidance" document (not a policy). I'm told the earliest that this document might be available is halfway through the camp season.

So, what can a parent do? Ask questions! Lots of specific questions! Here are my suggestions:

1. Does the organization have a transgender policy or guidance for staff? Can I read it?

2. What are the bathroom, shower and change room accommodations? Are the bathrooms gender-neutral? Are they single occupants? Is only one child allowed in the restroom at a time, whether for dressing, showering or restroom needs? If the facilities are designated for "boys" and "girls," are male-bodied children allowed in the girls' restroom or change room? Can I see the restroom and shower rooms?

3. Are parents informed if a child requests a different name or pronoun be used? Will staff comply with parents' requests regarding pronouns? Are parents of other campers informed if a male-bodied child will be sleeping and/or changing in the same room as the female-bodied children or if a female-bodied child will be sleeping and/or changing in the room with male-bodied children?

4. In the case of sleepover camps, is the staff member sleeping in the girls' accommodation a biological female and the staff sleeping in the boy's accommodation a biological male?

5. Are students allowed to choose not to use wrong-sex pronouns if they are uncomfortable calling staff or fellow campers by pronouns that are incongruent with the person's body? (Obviously, the students would need to be respectful and kind to fellow campers, but are they allowed to do this in a way that does not violate their principles and ability to trust their own eyes and instincts.)

You may have additional questions for your camp leadership. In this world where nothing can be assumed, there is no such thing as too many questions. And when the answer to the question, "Are males allowed to sleep in the girls' tent?" is no longer guaranteed a resounding "NO, of course not!", there are no stupid questions.

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