PRIDE YOUTH CAMP

What: A NEW week of faith-based camp in western South Dakota for 14-18-year-old LGBTQIA+ youth and their allies, offering a summer camp experience in the incredible setting of the Black Hills. Participants will have a full slate of camp activities including hiking, paddleboarding, horseback riding, games, campfires, worship, and so much more! As a faith-based camp of the ELCA Lutheran church, we will have bible studies each day teaching God’s abundant love for all people.

Our youth camps are always designed for kids to be kids, away from the pressures of school, relationships, and everyday life. We want campers to have a stress-free experience at camp and leave feeling refreshed and renewed. This week of camp will allow youth to connect with new friends and be carefree, living into their authentic selves, enjoying activities, and learning that God loves them for exactly who they are – no matter what. 

When: June 16 - 21, 2024

Why: This will be our second year providing a specific LGBTQIA+ camp. Over the last several years, we have recognized that we serve more and more youth who share one or more of these identities. While our organization's mission statement says that we “welcome all” and we have actively leaned into that, we know that our traditional format of gendered cabins and bathrooms doesn’t provide the space that some of our campers need to feel safe and comfortable. This new format allows us to live out our calling to invite and welcome all people to experience camp.

How: The week will be led by our caring staff, all paid and volunteer staff on-site will support our program. Housing will be in our dorm-style facility, and we will follow a barrier-free model, allowing campers to stay with those with whom they feel most comfortable and under the supervision of our camp counselors. Separate, private changing spaces will be provided. Bathrooms in the building have toilets with private stalls. Showers in our nearby shower house have private stalls with an attached changing space. Meals are provided in the dining room, and we accommodate various food allergies and dietary restrictions.

Bible Study: We recognize that church may not have been a welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ youth. With that in mind, we will offer our daily Bible study and worships, but it will not be required. Alternative activities will be provided. The goal of Outlaw’s Bible study is for our campers to understand that they are beautifully and wonderfully made and that God loves them no matter what. Conversation and questions are always welcome and we hope campers will feel comfortable having discussions with staff about faith. 

What We Believe:

• We are all created in the image of God and believe that all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions reflect God’s creative identity.

• Our community will call people by their names and use desired pronouns to uphold an environment that is respectful, safe, and identity-honoring.

• God embraces each person as a beloved child and is already at work in their life. Our staff will value the individual stories and experiences of our campers in their walk with God.

Questions? If you have any questions about the program, please contact Camp Director, Matt Rusch at matt@losd.org.

To Register: Please complete the following registration form.

We look forward to welcoming you to camp this summer!