Our 2023 Impact

 

In 2015, Brave Trails embarked on a mission that has since touched countless hearts and transformed lives. Our commitment was clear: to impact the LGBTQ+ community in ways that celebrate queer joy and create a nurturing space for trans healing. Today, as we reflect upon our journey, we find ourselves inspired by the profound significance of our work, particularly in the face of recent challenges posed by anti-LGBTQ and anti-trans laws and rhetoric.

In times of adversity, it's our community that shines the brightest. We extend our deepest gratitude to every camper, parent/guardian, dedicated staff member, generous donor, and unwavering supporter. Your belief in our mission has not only kept our dreams alive but also made transformative summers, like the one we've just experienced, possible.

As we stand on the precipice of a brighter future, it's your unwavering support that enables us to dream bigger and reach higher. Our goal is to create a world that honors and uplifts LGBTQ+ individuals in every way imaginable. Together, we are writing a beautiful chapter in the ongoing story of love, acceptance, and celebration.

IN 2023, WE’VE DONE SOME AMAZING THINGS. HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS:

  • We provided 7 weeks of overnight leadership camp – four 10-day sessions in California and one 9-day session in Maryland!

  • We proudly served over 400 campers from 50 states and 17 countries.

  • Through your donations, we were able to make camp more accessible by awarding over $123,572 in financial assistance to campers in need.

  • We hired 2 associate directors, 50 paid staff, and 90 volunteers to join our unicorn team as role models to the LGBTQ+ youth we serve.

  • We hosted our forth annual LGBTQ family camp, where 123 campers had a quintessential camp experience with other awesome families.

  • We took 13 campers and 5 staff on 2 queer-focused backpacking trips exploring the Pacific Crest Trail and Sierra Nevada Mountains!

  • We provided 700 hours of queer-affirming mental health services to youth in California. Our mental health team will be expanding to 11 therapists in the fall of 2023.

  • We broke ground on our forever home, which will be the first-ever summer camp & community space solely dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth!

  • All of this and more! Join our newsletter to stay connected.

This blog was made possible thanks to our friends at Sticker Mule. They sponsored this post to support our content. We only collaborate with companies and products we genuinely believe in. Sticker Mule is the easiest way to buy custom stickers & decals, labels, and other printing online. We've trusted Sticker Mule for years to create custom stickers to personalize our water bottles at camp.

If you're looking to personalize your items or need custom stickers​ for any occasion, we highly recommend Sticker Mule.

 
Jake Young