Registration is available for Camp fYrefly, Canada’s only national leadership retreat for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, two-spirited, intersexed, queer, questioning, and allied youth. There will be a Camp fYrefly held in Regina from August 11 to 14.
The Camp, which was founded in 2004 by Dr. André P. Grace and Dr. Kristopher Wells, is designed to help youth develop the leadership skills and personal resiliency necessary for them to become agents for positive change in their schools, families, and communities.
Camp fYrefly exists because caring adults believe that all youth are entitled to a world that embraces diversity rather than fearing it. For four days each year, they create that world, a world that lives out the fYrefly acronym, which stands for: fostering, Youth, resiliency, energy, fun, leadership, and yeah.
Camp fYrefly’s philosophy and programming emphasize a by-youth-for-youth approach where older youth and adult facilitators mentor and help to support younger youth.
All of the programming is guided by input from youth and facilitated by trained educators and youth workers in collaboration with a team of artists, dramatists, and community and youth leaders.
The Camp, guided by an arts-based educational philosophy, is jam-packed with dance, drama, music, writing, visual art, empowerment and reflection exercises, anti-oppression work, personal growth opportunities, healthy socialization, and in-depth learning activities about specific youth topics and social issues.
Camp fYrefly’s programming focuses on four key areas: leadership, individual development, socialization, and resiliency.
Dr. James McNinch, one of the Camp’s Directors, along with a selection committee will make final participant selection decisions in keeping with the Institute’s philosophy, policy, and principles guiding the operation of Camp fYrefly. Application package must be completed and submitted by June 30.
