The Camping.OUT Conference is a safe space where LGBT and allied youth will gather from around the state of Michigan to talk about issues that exist in their hometowns and in their hearts. It is a place where young adults learn the best ways to advocate for themselves both in their schools and in the state.  It is the only event where LGBT and allied youth in Michigan can gather, meet one another and really recognize that they are not alone in this state and that we can make a difference and make Michigan the best state it can be.

The Camping.OUT Conference has its origin as an actual week-long camping experience.  Unfortunately, few youth were available to attend this year so the camp was cancelled.  All was not lost because a group of youth came up with the idea of having a conference instead!  To combine the idea of a conference and a camp, the Camping.OUT Conference is going to be held in a slumber party style.  This means that after the events of the day, all of the attendees can simply open up their sleeping bags and find a comfy place on the carpet. 

Before the slumber party starts, there will be a full day of amazing and empowering events and seminars!  The seminars are broken up in 3 ways: OUT. For me! OUT. For us! and OUT. For fun! 

OUT. For me will have seminars regarding who we are as individuals in this movement for social justice.  It will focus on issues like understanding our identities, having healthy relationships, having open and safe dialogues, knowing safe sex practices, and learning how to be true to ourselves.

OUT. For us will have seminars about how we can make honest and sustainable change in our schools and in our state!  The topics that will be discussed are as follows: How do we create a GSA in our school? How do we hold a protest? How do we fight “the right”? Why is the LGBT community truly diverse? And What does it mean to be Transgender?

OUT. For fun is all about the combination of being an activist and being an artist!  Here will be show you the many different ways that the arts can completely change society  There will be a mural painting, magazine making , and other really creative ways of showing the artistic side of social justice!

After all of the events, we will have a representative from Michigan’s legislature come to speak about why being active in politics is so important!  After her speech, we will be showing the documentary about Harvey Milk, the first out gay elected official and how he changed the face of politics and our community forever.

The price of the event is $30 per student, but this price is of course negotiable because it is our policy that no one be turned away because of cost.

The event will be held at Affirmations Community Center in Ferndale, Michigan, the epicenter of the LGBT community of metro Detroit.   The center is located at 290 W. 9 Mile Rd. 

I hope this has been helpful and if you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to call.