CAMP BRAVE TRAILS FAQ

Who can apply for Camp Brave Trails?

Camp Brave Trails is designed for youth ages 12-17, who identify as LGBTQ+, questioning, or an ally. Camp Brave Trails is not an ordinary camp, we are mix between a leadership institute and a summer camp. We welcome youth who have great interest in leadership skill development, activism, and creating a kinder, more just world. Campers of varying leadership levels are welcome to apply, as long as they are eager and enthusiastic to learn. We welcome out-of-state and international campers.

locationS

We gladly welcome out-of-state and international campers. For safety, only registered families will receive the exact camp address.

• Our California camp is located outside of Riverside County.

• Our New York camp is located in Southwest New York State.

• Our Georgia camp is located in the greater Atlanta area of Georgia

application process

At Camp Brave Trails, we believe that leadership comes in all forms—whether you're a quiet thinker or a vocal advocate. Our admissions process is designed to be approachable while helping us find campers who are ready to join this transformative leadership experience.

Through your application and short video (for new campers), we’re looking to get a sense of your personality, understand any accommodations you may need, and see if you’re ready for the Brave Trails experience.

How the Application Works

• New Campers: Please review the Camp Video Instructions and complete all sections of the application, including the video.

• Returning Campers: No video is required! Just complete the questions in the application.

Once your application and video are submitted, our Camper Interview Committee will carefully review your materials. Decisions will be shared on a rolling basis, with admissions waves occurring on the 1st of every month until camp reaches capacity. Applicants may be:

• Admitted during an admissions wave,

• Waitlisted for a future wave, or

• Encouraged to reapply next year.

What We’re Looking For

We actively seek campers from diverse backgrounds and various leadership levels who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities and the world. Our admissions committee, made up of volunteer staff and camp alumni, looks for individuals eager to embrace activism, learn leadership skills, and build connections within the LGBTQ+ community. We know the application and video interview might feel a bit nerve-wracking—that’s okay! Nervousness shows that you care, and we value your authenticity and passion.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• Leadership-Focused: Camp Brave Trails is a leadership development camp, not solely a social camp. We’re looking for campers who are excited to grow as leaders and changemakers.

• Financial Need: Financial circumstances will not impact admission decisions.

We can’t wait to learn more about you and see your application!

Camper Selection Committee

What should we expect while at camp?

• A welcoming LGBTQ+ inclusive space that respects all identities and pronouns.

• Emphasis on leadership skill development, learning, personal growth, and identity exploration.

• A highly social environment with ample community time and opportunities for camper bonding; expect a lively and proud atmosphere.

• Immersed in nature! Both of our sites provide rustic forests, majestic mountain terrains, and expansive grassy fields.

• An electronics-free experience, encouraging campers to unplug and create more friendships and memories.

• Fostering independence: Campers are encouraged to spread their wings and make their own decisions.

• Engaging social justice and leadership workshops that both challenge and inspire campers.

• A strong expectation of maturity, kindness, consent, and compassion among all participants.

Bunking at camp

Campers stay in cozy, bunk style cabins along with 9-10 peers of the same age group and two adult counselors for support and safety. We divide campers into cabin groups by age; we never divide campers by gender. There are plenty of bathrooms and shower houses, complete with privacy for maximum comfort. Our staff intentionally work to create a nurturing, homey, and festive environment where new and returning campers can easily bond and create lifelong friendships!

camp food

All meals and snacks are included in tuition. Our kitchen staff takes pride in delivering nutritious meals that keep our campers going throughout the day. Campers enjoy three balanced meals per day, along with snacks and special treats! We gladly accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets, but require proper notice for appropriate planning. If your camper has a serious food allergy or aversion that you feel may impact their camp experience, please call a director to discuss further. We are NOT a nut or allergen free campus. All meal will be prepared in the same kitchen and prep spaces.

Dates + Rates + Financial Assistance

To learn more about our dates, rates, and financial assistance, CLICK HERE.

our staff

Having a knowledgeable, passionate, diverse, nurturing, and super fun staff is our secret sauce! Our directors dedicate a lot of time and energy to assembling a multifaceted group of professionals to carry out our mission and give our campers the summer of a lifetime.

Every staff member at camp has undergone an extensive application, interview, and background check process. Our staff undergo a mandatory, rigorous onsite safety training before campers arrive at camp. Our team is complete with medical staff, therapists, lifeguards, teachers, working professionals, and many more experienced professionals. The average age of our staff is 27, which we are proud of as the national average age for summer camps staff is typically 20. Many staff members return to camp each summer from all around the country and even internationally.

accreditation

We are proudly accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and part of the Western Association of Independent Camps (WAIC). We know our LGBTQ+ youth deserve to have a top of the line summer camp experience. This is why we have committed to being a fully accredited summer camp since day one of operating. The American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation process is a commitment by camps to the highest standards of health, safety, and program quality. This means we meet over 250 standards in health, safety, staffing, training, and transportation, which are verified and inspected by the ACA on a regular basis.

The Western Association of Independent Camps (WAIC) is an organization of summer camp owners and directors, dedicated to operating excellent youth programs. On top of American Camp Association accreditation, WAIC offers us the opportunity to collaborate with independent camps across the country to ensure we are going above and beyond the status quo in providing a quality camp experience.

transportation

We offer transportation, via charter bus, to and from the closest international airport to our camp locations. Transportation spots are limited and first come, first serve. Registered campers will receive a camper handbook which will outline the exact time the camper must depart/land at the airport in order catch the camp bus. Transportation is an additional fee of $50 each way.

out of state & International campers

We gladly welcome out of state and international campers. We have welcomed campers from over 50 states and 17 different countries! A large percentage of our camper’s travel to camp. We require all international campers to have a valid passport and travelers health insurance.

Will a covid vaccination be REQUIRED to attend camp?

We urge all camp attendees and staff for the 2025 season to ensure they are fully vaccinated, including having received their COVID vaccination and up-to-date boosters. We also advise taking a rapid test 2 days before your arrival at camp. In the event that a camper exhibits COVID symptoms during their stay, they will be subjected to testing. If a camper tests positive for COVID, they will be asked to leave camp to protect the well-being of fellow campers, as our cabins are shared accommodations.

SAFETY AT CAMP

Now more than ever, the safety of Brave Trails campers is at the forefront of our planning.  

Here’s some of the ways we keep campers safe at Brave Trails:

• Confidential Location: Our camp’s physical address is shared only with registered families and staff, and geotagging or location sharing is strictly prohibited. To further ensure safety, we will maintain a low profile by avoiding visible Brave Trails signage or exterior decor that could identify us as an LGBTQ+ camp from any public roads or surrounding areas.

• Community Screening: Every camper and staff undergoes a video screening process to ensure they are part of the LGBTQ+ community or are affirming allies. In addition, we check IDs for all folks entering the camp space.

• Thorough Staff Selection: Staff are rigorously screened through interviews, background checks, and reference verification.

• Comprehensive Staff Training: Our team receives extensive online and in-person training to meet the highest safety and care standards.

• Collaboration with Authorities: We work with local and federal authorities to address and mitigate any threats or harmful rhetoric received via phone, email, or online.

• America Camp Association Accreditation: Brave Trails meets and exceeds the highest safety and program standards in the camping industry.

• Photos & Media Mindfulness: To prioritize the safety and privacy of our community, our leadership team has updated our social media strategy for the camp season. This year, we will not post photos or media to our public social media accounts until camp sessions have concluded. While this approach differs from previous years, we believe it is the best way to ensure the well-being of our campers and staff.

Our number one priority is the safety (both physical and emotional) of our campers.

Medical & Mental Health at Camp

Health and Well-being at Camp

At Brave Trails, we hold a deep commitment to the physical and mental well-being of each of our campers during their stay. Safety is our paramount concern, and we maintain a dedicated team of medical and mental health professionals on-site at all times. Our medical team offers essential care, first aid, and oversees the distribution and storage of medications for both campers and staff throughout their camp experience. Our mental health team provides empathetic support, offering conversations (not therapy) and encouraging campers who may require a little extra care, addressing mild emotions like homesickness and more. We take pride in nurturing campers in a LGBTQ+ affirming environment. Please note that all campers are required to have health insurance to attend camp. Any medical or mental health issues beyond basic care and first aid will be handled through local urgent care or hospital facilities.

Special Considerations for Campers with Disabilities or Mental Health Needs

If your camper has a physical disability or a mental health condition (beyond mild depression or anxiety), we encourage you to reach out to a camp director before applying. This ensures that we can be well-prepared to welcome your camper and make their experience with us as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. We find that open and detailed communication with our staff beforehand greatly enhances the camper's time at camp. All campers should be capable of independently performing essential tasks, including eating, bathing, dressing/undressing, following directions, and navigating our hilly, rustic, forest-based campsite. We are pleased to offer accommodations such as bottom bunks, activity modifications, preferred seating at camp events, and other adjustments within our capacity to support campers' unique needs.

Important Note

While the camp experience can be therapeutic and joyful, it's essential to understand that we are not a therapy camp. Campers should arrive in a stable emotional and mental state. Despite the positive and empowering nature of camp, it is both physically and emotionally demanding. We do, however, foster a mental health-positive environment, and many campers with mild to moderate anxiety, depression, or dysphoria often thrive at camp with their positive coping strategies. We encourage campers to bring prescribed medications and non-electronic coping tools like journals, sketchpads, fidget toys, or favorite books. Campers who have been hospitalized for mental health concerns should wait one full year before applying to ensure readiness for the camp experience. Camp Brave Trails should never serve as a substitute for proper mental health care.

ACCESSIBILITY AT CAMP

Inclusive Environment and Accessibility

Brave Trails places a strong emphasis on creating an inclusive environment that caters to the accessibility needs of our campers. We kindly request both campers and their caregivers to provide relevant information during the camper application process. This information is crucial for us to prepare and set up the necessary resources to effectively support your camper during their stay.

Current Accessibility Information

All of our 2025 camp locations are equipped with accessibility options to support our campers. To help us provide the best experience for your camper, please share any specific needs during the application process. We are committed to making camp enjoyable for campers of all abilities. We're also excited about our future move to a permanent location, which will allow us to expand our accessible facilities and pathways, further enhancing the inclusivity of our camp in the coming summers.

Neurodiversity

At Brave Trails, we celebrate neurodiversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all campers. Our staff and volunteers undergo neurodiversity training to ensure they can provide knowledgeable support, and we have licensed therapists on-site to offer additional assistance when needed. We thoughtfully design our activities and spaces with neurodiversity in mind, offering low-sensory areas, noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, and following a "challenge by choice" model to accommodate various needs and preferences. To best support our neurodiverse campers, we encourage families to share specific needs during the application process, allowing our inclusion team to develop personalized care plans and ensure a positive camp experience for everyone at camp.

Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or ASL Interpreter Needs

For potential campers who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or require ASL interpreters, please reach out to our team so that we can work to make the necessary accommodations with the available resources.

If you have any questions for our team, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at info@bravetrails.org.

Refund Policy

We understand that unforeseen changes can happen at any time and as such, this refund and payment policy ensures a transparent agreement between Brave Trails and the applicant, as well as their parent/legal guardian. Keep in mind that while camp starts in the summer for campers, our staff works all year long to plan and ensure campers have a safe, fun, and well organized camp experience, including: admissions, pre-camp administrative work, camp supply purchasing, camp staff vetting/hiring/training, program planning, meal planning, and much more. We start ordering supplies and hiring staff members for your camper as early as January. As such, this policy ensures a clear and fair outcome of what will follow if your camper needs to drop out of camp at any point, for any reason.

All applications must be accompanied by a $100 non-refundable deposit toward each camper’s tuition. The deposit will be charged upon the camper’s official acceptance to camp, after their camp interview. Credit card and debit card are the two forms of payment accepted by Camp Brave Trails, unless you are paying the entire amount of tuition upfront within one month of acceptance to camp or are an international camper paying via money order. Families may choose one of two payment plans upon acceptance to camp:

1. Pay in full within one month of acceptance to camp.

2. Monthly Auto-Pay Payment Plan. Payments will be automatically charged to your primary card on file on the first of every month until June 1st.

50% of tuition is due by April 15 and the full tuition amount is due by June 1. Any balance on the camper’s account on April 15th and June 1st will be automatically charged on these dates to the primary card on file. Failure to make payments on these dates will result in the loss of the campers spot and the camper will need to re-apply to camp if they still wish to attend. If you are having trouble making your payments, please communicate with a Brave Trails director at least 72 hours before the payment due date(s) and we will do our best to work with you.

If you need to cancel your camper’s enrollment at any point, you must fill out the online cancellation form with the following understanding:

– Prior to March 1st all tuition payments are refundable, minus the $100 non-refundable deposit.

– Cancellations on or after March 1st will incur a $500 administrative fee.

– Cancellations on or after April 1st will incur a $750 administrative fee.

– Cancellations on or after May 1st will incur a $1000 administrative fee.

– Cancellations on or after June 1st are non-refundable. 

There will be no fee reduction, allowances, refunds, rebates or reimbursement for absences from camp due to illness, injury, homesickness, dismissal from camp, voluntary withdrawal, no-show, late arrival, family emergencies, vacation, summer school, unexpected visits or events, unhappiness with the program, or for any other reason. There will be no fee reduction or reimbursement for changes in programming on our part. All decisions to change programming are made with the best interest of the camper’s safety and experience in mind. 

In the event that the camper is dismissed, removed, or leaves camp early for any reason (poor behavior, homesickness, illness, injury, unhappiness with the program, etc.), the camper’s parent or legal guardian is 100% financially responsible for any cost associated with exiting the camper from camp within 24 hours. The family is 100% responsible for arranging transportation, purchasing tickets (plane, bus, train etc.), and costs associated with pick-up & drop-off (airport drop-off, taxi, etc). If a Brave Trails staff member is available to provide transportation to the airport for early departure, there is a $150 staffing & mileage fee to be paid before the ride is given.