Come join your Brave Trails family for a fun and queer day as we reunite in California & Washington D.C.! Reconnect with some old friends, meet some new friends, and say hi to your favorite camp staff members!
Let’s giggle and gab over games and grub at Griffith Park! Potluck style lunch followed by a nature walk on a 1/3 mile long trail (optional). Come and meet some really great humans to make friends with, and even some turtle friends if we’re lucky.
All LGBTQIA+ youth ages 11-18, Brave Trails staff, Brave Trails campers, and Brave Trails alumni are welcome to join!
Date & Time: Dec 8th at 12:00pm PT
Location: Griffith Park (Los Angeles, CA)
Hosted By: Mariah and Roxxy
What to Bring: Potluck style party!
Get creative in this generative writing circle. Together we’ll write fiction or poetry in response to fun prompts and optionally share our work from this session, or from your own personal body of work!
This event is open to all Brave Trails campers, alumni, staff, as well as any LGBT+ youth ages 11-18
Date & Time: Nov 8th at 5:30pm PT / 8:30pm ET
Location: Zoom (Participants will receive a zoom link sent via email)
Hosted By: Aidah
Come join us for a game of Werewolf, also known as Mafia, which is a social deduction game where players are secretly assigned roles as either a werewolf or a villager. During the day the town tries to figure out who the werewolf is and shun them from the village, at night werewolves exile a townsperson. Last group standing wins!
This event is open to all Brave Trails campers, alumni, staff, as well as any LGBT+ youth ages 11-18
Date & Time: Nov 6th at 5:30pm PT / 8:30pm ET
Location: Zoom (Participants will receive a zoom link sent via email)
Hosted By: Nico
Come get nature-y with a nature chat and queer nature trivia party with BT staff member Basil! If you love all things plants, animals, mushrooms, or you just like hanging out with queer people- this is the program for you!
This event is open to all Brave Trails campers, alumni, staff, as well as any LGBT+ youth ages 11-18
Date & Time: Nov 5th at 5:30pm PT / 8:30pm ET
Location: Zoom (Participants will receive a zoom link sent via email)
Hosted By: Basil
Come get creative and be in community! Join Brave Trails therapist, Emma, to make collages while chatting about feelings and anxieties about the upcoming election. This will be a casual space to express yourself, share your thoughts, and connect with others. Feel free to bring physical collage materials- magazines, paper, scissors, and glue- or use online platforms like Canva and Pinterest to create your own masterpiece!
All LGBTQIA+ youth ages 11-18, Brave Trails staff, Brave Trails campers, and Brave Trails alumni are welcome to join!
Date & Time: Nov 4th at 5:30pm PT / 8:30pm ET
Location: Zoom (Participants will receive a zoom link sent via email)
Hosted By: Emma, a licensed clinician
Brave Trails has been invited to the LA Lakers Basketball Pride Night in DTLA. Join us for an exciting night of sports and recreation. This event is open to all families, youth, and current or past Brave Trails Staff.
We have a limited supply of tickets so they will be given on a first come, first served basis. If you sign up and are unable to attend, please contact Sophia at sophia@bravetrails.org so we can release the tickets out.
**Please note that supervision will not be provided, we recommend youth be accompanied by an adult. Event Contact and exact meeting location will be shared after signing up!**
Date & Time: Oct, 26th at 7:30pm
Location: Crypto.com Arena DTLA
Free Ticket: Limited Supply
**--- As of Oct 15, all tickets have been claimed! Feel free to fill out this form to join a waitlist in case anyone who has previously claimed tickets is unable to go--**
Brave Trails is thrilled to announce that we'll be tabling at the 32nd annual Models of Pride event in Los Angeles! Join us for an amazing day with our Associate Director Taylor and some other familiar camp faces. Get ready to be inspired and connect with other change-makers like yourself!
Join hundreds of LGBTQ+ youth and their allies at this year’s 32nd annual Models of Pride Summit! Following the wildly successful event in 2023 with Dylan Mulvaney, Hayley Kiyoko and Ruba, we have transformed what has been an incredible and in its inception, a much needed LGBTQ+ youth conference, into a celebratory event of love, acceptance and joy! Celebrating 32 years of success, the new Models of Pride Summit will bring us into a new world of fun with an all new venue, exciting and interactive activities, dancing and music and heart stopping performances! This summit will also include Chill Lounges, a Resource, College, and Job Fair, carnival games, delicious food, and more – all FOR FREE! All LGBTQ+ youth ages 24 and younger and their allies, friends, and families are invited to attend.
Date & Time: Oct, 14th from 10a-4p
Location: Los Angeles, CA
SWEET SORROW is to Halloween what THE NUTCRACKER is to Christmas! A sequel to Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet," this unique production tells the story after their tragic deaths. The star-crossed lovers' cousins, Rosaline and Benvolio, encounter not only Zombies but also Vampires, Serpents and Spiders, on their adventure through the Underworld. Experience the darkness and the magic, the charm and the romance of SWEET SORROW®, A ZOMBIE BALLET!
This event is open to all LGBT youth ages 12-18, plus their families, as well as Brave Trails campers, alumni, and staff. All ages are welcome at this event. Please be aware that tickets are limited, so we are giving them out on a first come, first served basis. Once you sign up, Sophia will be in touch with a website and code for you to claim your tickets.
**Please note that this is not a supervised event. We recommend anyone under the age of 18 is accompanied by an adult**
Date & Time: Saturday, October 19th at 7:00pm OR Sunday, October 20th at 4:00pm
Location: La Cañada Flintridge, CA
Free Ticket: Limited Supply
Come join Brave Trails at Georgia Safe Schools Coalitions’ ATL Pride Afterparty! The event will have LGBTQ+ trivia and movies, music, games, drag, and good vibes. Join Brave Trails very own Blake Mitchell at the costume closet! Let's kick it and celebrate all things Pride. Don't miss out!
Event is open to youth ages 12-17!
Date & Time: October 12th, 6 - 10:30pm EDT
Location: Atlanta, GA
Join us for our first official Brave Trails event in Nashville with a Brave Space meet-up and community hang out!
This event is open to any LGBTQ+ youth (all ages!), Brave Trails campers, their families, and Brave Trails staff, volunteers, alumni, and allies!
Date & Time: Sept 29, 2024, 2pm-5pm ET
Location: Nashville, TN (An exact location will be sent out to registered participants prior to the event)
Hosted by: Blake Mitchell
RSVP for additional details // minimal refreshments will be provided // guests encouraged to bring food and drinks. No alcohol allowed.
Join us for of BRAVETOPIA! Bravetopia is a virtual world where you can walk around and talk to people like in real life. This is a great way to meet new campers (or see old friends!) and staff before the summer even starts. Learn about camp and get full of the Brave Trails spirit in this virtual party! Topia is 10x better with a camera and mic, though you can join without if needed. Play games, join a dance party, find the doge, and sit by the virtual campfire.
This event is open to current and past Brave Trails campers, including current staff and alumni. This event is also open to any queer youth 11-18 who wants to join in the fun!
Date & Time: Thursday, May 23, 2024, 5pm PT/8pm ET
Location: Topia. The link will be sent prior to the event, you don't need to download any apps to join!
Hosted by: Mars (they/them)
Join former UJLs Philipp and Danny for a fun afternoon of crafting, talking, and being in community! We'll be making some paper crafts, talking about current queer topics, and our favorite ways to celebrate pride. Come with your paper, makers, scissors, pencils, and a ready to have fun attitude! This event was specifically made at a time that multiple time zones could join, so come join in the fun!
This event is open to current and past Brave Trails campers, including current staff and alumni. This event is also open to any queer youth 11-18 who wants to join in the fun!
Date & Time: Saturday, May 11, 9am PST/12pmEST
Location: Zoom. Participants will receive a zoom link sent via email on the day of our meet up!
Hosted by: UJLs Philipp and Danny
Join us for Gay Day at the Zoo is a partnership of The DC Center for the LGBT Community, SMYAL, and Rainbow Families, celebrating International Family Equality Day at the Smithsonian Zoo.
All events listed in the Agenda below take place in the Great Meadow.
The Zoo also hosts a series of Rainbow Enrichments with Zoo Keepers throughout the zoo: Check out there schedule here!
Date & Time: May 5th, 2024, 10a-3pm (lunch at 12pm)
Location: Smithsonian Zoo
Hosted by: DC Center for the LGBT Community, SMYAL, and Rainbow Families
Cost: Free with RSVP
Join us for a gender affirming clothing swap and Brave Trails costume closet drive this April! Bring your clothes you don't wear anymore, old halloween costumes, jewelry pieces, those shoes you wore one time and don't vibe with anymore, a silly little hat, or anything else you want to get rid of from your closet! We'll lay everything out and you can take what you want from the clothes that other people bring. Anything that isn't taken will go directly to the east coast costume closet for camp this summer so our campers can try out new looks and costumes all throughout camp!
This event is open to Brave Trails campers and non campers. Come by if you want to refresh your closet or donate some of your old stuff!
If you want to donate but can't make it that day, let us know using this link and we will be in touch.
Feel free to bring some friends along too!
This event is in association with Trans Maryland and our local PFLAG.
Date & Time: April 27, 2024, 1-5pm
Location: PFLAG Unity Center (A more detailed description of the location will be given upon registration.)
Come join a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive place to exchange queer focused media, such as books or movies, while also learning more about Camp Brave Trails and how to get involved!
What to bring: Your old books, movies, CDs, records, etc. that you'd like to exchange. If you don't have anything to exchange, you're still welcome to come along and join in on the fun!
Who: This event is open to any LGBT+ youth or college aged person who wants to join in the fun! Feel free to bring friends and family along as well.
Date & Time: April 27th, 2024 10-4pm (You do not have to stay the whole time! Feel free to pop in when you can Samuel will be there throughout the day to greet you and exchange some media)
Location: Bound to Happen Books, 1008 Main St, Stevens Point, WI 54481
Join your Brave Trails fam with some virtual games! have fun, get to know each other, and get your game on! This event is open to all queer youth, Brave Trails staff, and Brave Trails alumni. Can't wait to see you there!
Date & Time: Thursday, April 25, 5pm PT/8pm ET. The event will be approximately one hour long.
Hosted By: Matthew
Location: Zoom - Participants will receive a zoom link sent via email on the day of our meet up!
Join Jason Wise (aka @jasonjourneyman) and Trailmixer for an easy 2 mile round trip, 200ft elevation change exploration of our local ecosystems through the lens of QUEER ECOLOGY--the study of everything in nature that subverts our western cultural expectations about how the natural world *should* work.
"Queer" simply means odd, but that is whatever is considered odd based on cultural norms. The natural world, though, does not subscribe to any particular culture, it just exists as a beautifully diverse tapestry of ways to survive and thrive. Nature might be individualistic or communal; patriarchal or matriarchal; heterosexual, homosexual, or in the case of most flowers, bisexual.
Most of modern biology has been defined and taught through this western cultural, human-centric lens, and in this easy hike we will explore and connect to the natural world for what it is instead of what some expect it to be.
Jason is a certified California naturalist, professional outdoor environmental educator, a native plant daddy, and prolific tree hugger. He teaches about queer ecology, native and invasive plants, connected ecosystems, human disruption, and the broader ecological history of California. Let's go explore nature together!
This program is open to all Brave Trails staff and alumni as well as any LGBT youth ages 11-18 and their families.
Date & Time: April 21, 2024, 10am-12pm
Hosted By: Jason Wise
Location: Los Angeles, CA (A more detailed description of the location will be given upon registration.)
This conversation will walk participants through the basics of creating supportive environments for transgender and nonbinary youth. We'll review language and vocabulary, do a deep dive on the statistics around increasing numbers of youth coming out, and I'll share lots of my own stories around coming out at 15 in a small town. This event will include plenty of time for discussion and Q&A.
This event is open for any parent of queer youth, educators of queer youth, or anyone who wants to learn more about how to best support the queer youth in your life!
Date & Time: Thursday, March 28, 5pm (PT) /8pm (ET)
Hosted By: Ben Greene
Location: Zoom - Participants will receive a zoom link sent via email on the day of our meet up!
This Mental Health Processing Space will be a space where we can come together and process the tragic loss of Nex Benedict and the constant struggle queer and trans people in this country are facing. Facilitated by two of our Brave Trails therapists Becker and Allyson, there will be both structured processing (questions to reflect on, optional art and journal responses) and room for folks to share their thoughts and feelings on the topic.
Date & Time: Monday, March 11, 5pm (PT) /8pm (ET)
Hosted By: Becker and Allyson, Brave Trails Mental Health Team
Location: Zoom - Participants will receive a zoom link sent via email on the day of our meet up!
Cheer our skaters on as they fight for their pot of gold during the 2nd Annual St. Patty's SMASH UP. Teams made up of skaters from all over the Midwest compete in back-to-back games at the roller derby fundraiser. Tickets are $5 at the door with snacks and drinks available for purchase. VIP seating will be provided to Brave Trails campers and members of local QSA/GSAs.
Date & Time: March 9th, 2024 from 10:30am-3:00pm
Ticket Price: Some money for ticket entry ($5) plus any money for snacks or drinks you want to purchase
Location: Kansas City, KS (an exact location will be sent out after registration)
Join us for our first official Brave Trails Atlanta event with an ice cream social and community hang out event hosted in Atlanta.
This event is open to any queer youth ages 11-18, Brave Trails campers, their families, and Brave Trails staff, volunteers and alumni!
Date & Time: Saturday, March 2 from 12-2pm ET
Hosted By: Blake (they/them)
Location: Atlanta, GA. An exact location will be sent out to registered participants prior to the event.
Come join your friends at a December campfire! We'll be playing some campfire games and having a gay ol' time!
This event is open to any queer youth ages 11-18, Brave Trails campers, their families, and Brave Trails staff and alumni! We can't wait to see you there!
Date & Time: Saturday Feb 24th, 12pm-2pm - this is the rescheduled date
Hosted By: Basil (they/them) and Vienna
Location: Eldersburg, MD. An exact location will be sent out to registered participants prior to the event.
What to Bring: Feel free to bring along your campfire favorites! We'll be bringing s'mores materials, veggie and non-veggie hot dogs, and some more goodies to share. Make sure to also wear warm clothes as it might be chilly!
If you’re into trivia & if you’re into anything queer, November 16th is the perfect time to showcase your knowledge at our virtual, queer-themed Kahoot! All queer youth ages 12-18 are welcome to join in the game! Make sure you have something you can play Kahoot with (like on your phone, tablet, or laptop) and join in on the virtual trivia fun!
Date & Time: Thursday, February 22, 5pm (PT) /8pm (ET)
Hosted By: Tessa (she/her)
Location: Zoom - Participants will receive a zoom link sent via email on the day of our meet up!
Come kickstart the New Year by unleashing your creativity and manifesting queer joy through the art of making vision boards! Vision boards are all about good vibes, positive energy, dreaming big, and manifestation magic but you’ll also probably want to bring craft supplies to help your personal roadmap for the new year come to life! Think glue, glitter, magazines, scissors, paper, markers, etc. If crafting isn’t your thing, you can also make a digital board using something like Pinterest, PowerPoint, Canva, etc. We hope to see you there!
This event is open to any queer youth ages 11-18, Brave Trails campers, their families, and Brave Trails staff and alumni! We can't wait to see you there!
Date & Time: Thursday, January 18 5pm PST/8pm EST
Hosted By: E (they/them)
Location: Zoom
Come join your Brave Trails family for a fun and queer day as we reunite in California & Maryland! Reconnect with some old friends, meet some new friends, and say hi to your favorite camp staff members!
Come join your friends at a December campfire cookout! We'll be grilling, playing some campfire games, and having a gay ol' time!
This event is open to any queer youth ages 11-18, Brave Trails campers, their families, and Brave Trails staff and alumni! We can't wait to see you there!
Date & Time: Sunday, December 10th, 12pm-2pm
Hosted By: Basil (they/them) and Vienna
Location: Eldersburg, MD. An exact location will be sent out to registered participants prior to the event.
What to Bring: Feel free to bring along your campfire favorites! We'll be bringing s'mores materials, veggie and non-veggie hot dogs, and some more goodies to share. Make sure to also wear warm clothes as it might be chilly!
Come be in community with your Brave Trails crew in this Park and Potluck Brave Space! We'll be playing some camp games, singing some songs, eating some food, and having a ball!
This event is open to any queer youth ages 11-18, Brave Trails campers, their families, and Brave Trails staff and alumni! We can't wait to see you there!
Date & Time: Saturday, December 9th, 11am-1pm
Hosted By: SJ (they/them)
Location: Los Angeles, CA (near Downtown). An exact location will be sent out to registered participants.
What to Bring: Bring along your favorite picnic food to share with the group! Also make sure to bring a blanket to sit on and a jacket in case it gets chilly. If you have any fun games you want to play, bring 'em along for the ride, too!
Join us for an hour long one-shot game of DnD (Dungeons and Dragons), the adventure based TTRPG (Table Top Role Play Game). This game is designed to cultivate creativity and critical thinking as well as explore safety tools and strengthen social skills. Get inspired to join or run your own TTRPG with loved ones or new friends!
Interested in learning how to run a game as a DM/GM/Storyteller? Plan on arriving 30 Minutes ahead of start time for a crash course in running a game, any experience level is welcome!
Date & Time: Thursday, December 7th, 5pm PST/8pm EST
Hosted By: Nick (they/he)
Location: Zoom - Participants will receive a zoom link sent via email on the day of our meet up!
What's better than zines, art, stickers, and BT besties?! Join us at DC Zinefest on November 18 for all 4! Zinefest is a market full of self-published zines (small art books with comics, art, poetry, activism, and more from punk and queer communities) and other fun art, with lots of queer creators. We'll have a table to distribute zines made by campers!
We will be having a meetup at a coffee shop in the area at 1pm. Details will be sent upon registration.
Date & Time: Saturday, November 18th at 1pm
Location: MLK Library (901 G St NW) in Washington DC, 5th floor rooftop
Join the Brave Trails crew to see a performance of CRACKED- a new ballet by the Leigh Purtill Ballet Company! It's a new Nutcracker story with a twist! This CRACKED version Intertwines the beloved Tchaikovsky score and story with a Celtic-inspired whimsical Land of the Fae. Our ballet will take you on a captivating journey through the portal of a snowglobe created by Drosselmeyer. Follow the family maid, Nora, on the adventure of a lifetime into a new world of magical creatures like Naiads, Dryads, and Selkies.
This event is open to all LGBT youth ages 12-18, plus their families. Please be aware that tickets are limited, so we are giving them out on a first come, first served basis. Those who do not receive tickets initially will be put on a wait list.
Date & Time: Saturday, November 11th at 7pm
Location: The Lanterman Auditorium in La Cañada Flintridge
