
Youth Summer Camp for LGBTQ+ & Allies
Welcome to Camp Stonewall Trails
Affirming 7-day 6-night residential summer camp for LGBTQ+, exploring, and ally youth ages 8–17

Affirming 7-day 6-night residential summer camp for LGBTQ+, exploring, and ally youth ages 8–17

At Camp Stonewall Trails, our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and affirming environment for LGBTQ+, exploring, and ally youth to connect, grow, and express their true selves.
Rooted in nature and community care, camp blends outdoor adventure, creative expression, and shared experiences to foster belonging, resilience, and joy. We believe every camper deserves connection and support no matter their background or means and that youth thrive when their identities are respected and their emotional wellbeing is prioritized alongside play, creativity, and growth.
This program is family-centered and operated as an official initiative of a registered nonprofit organization. All tuition and donations are reinvested directly into program expenses, accessibility, and youth care.

7-day, 6-night residential summer camp, thoughtfully designed to support emotional safety, outdoor exploration, creative self-expression, and meaningful community connection.
Nestled across 200 acres along Crooked Legged Creek, Ottawa Illinois, camp offers a spacious, nature-centered setting where youth can connect, explore, and belong in an affirming and supportive environment.
Campers stay in nature-immersed cabins with supportive supervision and access to restroom and shower facilities, organized using inclusive, affirming practices that prioritize dignity and comfort.

Camp programming is led by an experienced team of youth camp professionals, non-profit leaders, and trained facilitators with decades of combined experience in community-based programming, education, and youth development. All counselors and facilitators complete background clearance and training in inclusive youth care and safety practices.
Our leadership team includes seasoned summer camp staff, LGBTQ+ specialists, and on-site mental health advocates who bring both professional training and lived experience to their roles.
A licensed mental health professional is available each day of camp, and a trained medical and first aid team supports camper health and safety throughout the program. Many members of our staff also identify as LGBTQ+, further strengthening our commitment to creating a safe, respectful, and affirming environment grounded in care, accountability, and inclusion.

Camp Stonewall Trails is more than a summer camp — it is a space intentionally created for youth to feel safe, respected, and supported. Many LGBTQ+, exploring, and ally youth face pressure to hide parts of who they are or struggle to find spaces where they truly belong.
Camp offers an affirming environment where youth are welcomed as they are and encouraged to grow at their own pace.
Through a balance of outdoor adventure, creative expression, skill-building, and community connection, campers build confidence, resilience, and meaningful relationships.
Programming is designed with care, offering structure without pressure and honoring individual needs, boundaries, and rest.

The first day of camp is intentionally family-oriented, designed to build trust, connection, and shared understanding before the youth-only portion begins.
Families can expect:
This day centers family care, recognizing that supporting queer youth also means supporting caregivers and siblings.
Parent & Caregiver Roundtable
After lunch, parents and caregivers are invited to gather in the main lodge for a facilitated roundtable discussion.
Topics include but not limited to:
Discussions are guided by mental health professionals and experienced facilitators.
Sibling care is provided during the roundtable through supervised activities.

Youth wellbeing is supported throughout camp through a balance of structure, supervision, and flexibility.
Daily support includes:
Reflection & Relaxation Hour (Daily)
Each day includes a Reflection & Relaxation Hour, a dedicated quiet period for campers to rest, regulate, and recharge.
This time may include journaling, quiet nature time, creative reflection, or rest. Participation is optional, supervised, and always respected.

Outdoor programming is a core part of the camp experience, offering both play and practical learning in a natural setting.
Nature-based activities may include:
Spending time in nature supports emotional regulation, confidence, and problem-solving skills, while offering youth space to disconnect from daily stressors and reconnect with their bodies and surroundings.

Workshops are facilitated by guest speakers and professionals and focus on guided self-expression, reflection, and skill-building. Sessions are age-appropriate, optional, and discussion-based rather than lecture-focused.
Workshop topics may include:

LGBTQ+ youth experience higher rates of bullying, harassment, and exclusion than their peers, which can impact confidence, safety, and emotional wellbeing.
Research consistently shows that affirming environments and supportive relationships significantly improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth, reinforcing the importance of spaces where young people feel accepted and protected.
“Affirming spaces and supportive adults play a critical role in helping LGBTQ+ youth feel safe, valued, and connected.”

Creative programming provides campers with opportunities to explore identity, process emotions, and express themselves in ways that feel natural and affirming. Activities emphasize creativity over perfection and allow for both individual and collaborative expression.
Creative activities may include:
These activities support self-reflection, confidence, and emotional expression, offering youth a way to communicate experiences that may be difficult to put into words.

Camp includes structured outdoor games designed to encourage teamwork, movement, and joyful release.
Field games may include:
These games support physical engagement, collaboration, laughter, and stress relief, while reinforcing consent, boundaries, and inclusive play.

Evenings are intentionally designed to help campers slow down, reflect, and connect after active days.
Evening programming may include:
These moments provide space for emotional processing, community bonding, and gentle closure to the day. Participation is always optional, and quiet presence is welcomed.

We believe camp should be accessible to every camper.
Tuition is offered on a sliding scale to support accessibility while ensuring safe staffing, quality programming, and comprehensive youth care.
"Sliding scale tuition reflects our commitment to equity, dignity, and community-supported access."
This program operates as an official initiative of a registered nonprofit organization. All tuition and donations are reinvested directly into program expenses, accessibility, and youth care.
7 Days / 6 Nights
Full tuition payment is required to reserve a camper’s spot.
Sliding Scale: $750 – $1,150
4 Days / 3 Nights
Designed as a 7-day experience, this program may operate as a 4-day camp if enrollment or sponsorship thresholds are not met. As the inaugural year, it has been developed with care and intention, laying the groundwork for a lasting, annual camp that supports LGBTQ+, exploring, and ally youth and their families.
Sliding Scale: $460 – $750
Families will be notified of any program adjustment no later than 30 days prior to the start of camp.
If the program shifts from a 7-day to a 4-day experience, families will be reimbursed for the difference based on the tuition rate selected at registration.

A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available to help reduce financial barriers to participation. Scholarship awards are based on demonstrated need and available funds. Our goal is to ensure that cost is not a barrier for youth who would benefit from this experience.
Scholarships may support full or partial tuition and are applied with care and confidentiality. Receiving a scholarship does not impact a camper’s experience or participation in camp.
Families seeking financial assistance are invited to apply for a scholarship during the registration process. Scholarship applications are reviewed with care and confidentiality.
Submitting a scholarship application does not impact a camper’s eligibility or experience at camp. All information provided is kept confidential.
Community support plays a vital role in making camp accessible. Donations to our scholarship fund directly support campers and help cover program costs such as meals, activities, staffing, and mental health resources.
Scholarship Support Levels
We also welcome in-kind donations that directly support camper care and programming, including:
In-kind contributions help offset program costs and allow more funds to be directed toward scholarships and youth care.
Community-supported access reflects our commitment to equity, dignity, and care. Together, we can ensure every camper has the opportunity to belong.
Camp Stonewall Trails takes place in Ottawa, Illinois, along the beautiful Crooked Legged Creek. For the safety and privacy of all campers and families, the exact address is shared only after registration is completed.
Camp Stonewall Trails is a residential summer camp designed to provide an affirming, nature-based experience for LGBTQ+, exploring, and ally youth. The program focuses on outdoor adventure, creative expression, emotional wellbeing, and community connection in a safe and supportive environment.
Camp is designed for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies, ages 8 through 17. All campers are welcome as long as they bring respect, kindness, and openness.
To register for our Summer Camp, complete the online registration form. See the Tuition section above.
The program is planned as a 7-day, 6-night residential camp.
If enrollment or sponsorship thresholds are not met, the program will operate as a 4-day, 3-night camp experience.
Families will be notified of any program adjustment no later than 30 days prior to the start of camp, and tuition will be reimbursed based on the rate selected at registration if the program length changes.
Camp Stonewall Trails is named in honor of both the natural landscape and the history it represents. The camp sits along Crooked Legged Creek, where a natural stone wall lines portions of the land, grounding the space in strength, endurance, and connection to place.
The name Stonewall also honors the legacy of the Stonewall movement, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history that symbolizes courage, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of belonging and equality. Trails reflects the extensive network of paths throughout the property and represents the many journeys youth take—exploring identity, building confidence, and finding their way forward.
Together, Stonewall Trails represents a space rooted in nature, history, and hope—where youth are supported as they walk their own paths, connected to community and care.
Tuition is offered on a sliding scale to support accessibility while ensuring program quality and safety. Families select the rate that best fits their circumstances, and all campers receive the same care and experience regardless of tuition level.
Tuition and community support help cover:
Families may apply for a scholarship Applying for a scholarship during open enrollment. please see section above on scholarship
Yes. Donations to the Community Care Fund directly support scholarships, meals, programming, and youth care. In-kind donations are also welcome. please see donation section above
Camper safety is a top priority. The program includes:
Programming includes a balance of structured and flexible activities such as:
Daily reflection and relaxation time is built into the schedule to support emotional regulation and rest.
Essentials include clothing for a week, toiletries, sleeping bag, sturdy shoes, swimwear, sunscreen, water bottle, and a positive attitude. A full packing list is provided upon registration.
All medications must be checked in with our health staff during arrival. Medications are securely stored and administered as directed by parents/guardians. Our trained team follows strict protocols for medication schedules, medical conditions, and emergency response. Basic first aid is always available, and mental health advocates are on-site to support campers as needed.
We know that nutrition is important for growing bodies. All meals and snacks are included with camp, and we work closely with families to accommodate dietary needs, food allergies, and restrictions. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-safe options are available. Families can provide additional guidance in advance so our staff can prepare safely.
Camp Stonewall Trails is committed to creating a safe, affirming, and supportive environment where every camper can show up authentically, feel respected, and thrive.
Our community standards are grounded in care, accountability, and inclusion, and are designed to support emotional wellbeing, physical safety, and shared responsibility in community living.
All members of the Camp Stonewall Trails community are expected to:
Camp is a shared community. These expectations help ensure that all campers feel safe, seen, and supported.
Campers are supervised at all times by trained staff and counselors with experience in youth programming.
All staff and volunteers working directly with campers complete required background checks and youth safety training.
A licensed mental health professional is available daily, and a trained medical and first aid team supports camper health and safety throughout the program.
Camp leadership maintains clear emergency and crisis response procedures, including protocols for medical situations, severe weather, and safety concerns. Families are notified promptly if an emergency involves their camper.
Camp Stonewall Trails maintains clear expectations around respectful behavior, consent, and personal boundaries.
Concerns are addressed using trauma-informed, age-appropriate approaches focused on safety, accountability, learning, and repair rather than punishment.
Camp Stonewall Trails is a tech-light environment designed to support presence, connection, and emotional wellbeing.
Families may contact camp leadership directly in the event of an emergency.
Camp staff coordinate urgent communication and will contact families promptly when needed. Reasonable accommodations for medical or accessibility needs may be arranged in advance.
Campers are expected to:
Respect for the land and shared spaces is central to the Camp Stonewall Trails experience.
Camp Stonewall Trails affirms all gender identities, sexual orientations, and expressions. Inclusive language, respectful conduct, and community care are expected throughout the program.
Many staff members identify as LGBTQ+, strengthening our commitment to lived understanding and affirming care.
Our approach to accountability is rooted in care, clarity, and growth.
When concerns arise, staff may:
All policies are communicated in age-appropriate ways and reinforced with compassion. Our goal is to support each camper’s wellbeing while fostering trust, responsibility, and mutual respect within the camp community.
Camp Stonewall Trails is led by an experienced team of youth camp professionals, educators, and trained facilitators with backgrounds in youth development, community-based programming, and camp-based care. Staff are selected for both their professional experience and their demonstrated commitment to creating a respectful, affirming, and well-supervised environment for youth.
As a youth-focused initiative of LaSalle County Konnections, a registered nonprofit organization, Camp Stonewall Trails operates with separate youth-specific leadership, policies, and safeguarding standards. LaSalle County Konnections provides nonprofit oversight and administrative support, while external, qualified professionals are engaged to manage youth programming, mental health support, medical care, and safety protocols specific to the camp environment.
All staff and volunteers working directly with campers are required to complete background checks and participate in youth safety training, including topics such as mandated reporting, boundaries and appropriate conduct, supervision standards, and trauma-informed, inclusive care practices.
Ongoing training and clear codes of conduct reinforce our commitment to youth safety, emotional wellbeing, and accountability throughout the program.















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