FAQs

TransCamp is a grassroots, community-powered collective. While our Board of Directors provide the strategic, legal and operational framework, TransCamp is truly “run” by the community itself. From coordinating carpools to sharing gear and leading workshops and activities, we depend on the active participation of our attendees. We believe that by pooling our skills and resources, we create a space that is not just for trans people, but by trans people. 

TransCamp welcomes any person who identifies as transgender and is 18 years or older. This includes individuals who identify as trans masculine, trans feminine, non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, gender non-conforming, and any other trans identities. We encourage anyone who is questioning their gender to connect with us and understand if this is the supportive environment they are looking for. Currently, we do not have overnight programming that includes cisgender allies.

TransCamp only organizes programming for the trans community in alignment with our mission of  cultivating a trans centered space in nature where we can feel like ourselves without influence from cis attendees. However, some of our day events which also serve as fundraisers are open to cis allies (must attend as a +1 to a trans participant). Keep an eye on our social media for information on events open to allies. 

TransCamp is open to all trans people, regardless of background, and we’re dedicated to creating a space that feels inclusive, welcoming, and affirming for everyone. Our community is diverse and continues to grow each year. 

Historically, our registration data has shown higher participation from trans masculine and nonbinary participants, with trans femme attendees making up about 15–25% and BIPOC attendees about 25–45% of our attendees.

To ensure our camp reflects the full breadth of our community, we actively work to increase representation. In 2024, we introduced reserved spots for BIPOC and trans femme participants, and since doing so, we’ve seen participation from these groups more than double.

Our overnight camping trips typically take place during the summer season, running from May through September. To keep our community connected year-round, we also host several day events during the off-season and between our major trips. For the latest dates and application details, keep an eye on our website and follow us on social media.

TransCamp currently operates only in California, but we are expanding and hope to reach your city soon! If you’re interested in bringing TransCamp to your area, please reach out to us to discuss. 

In the meantime, we encourage you to explore organizations that offer programming in your local area. One organization we highly recommend is Seattle Trans Joy

Yes! Find us @transcamp.ca on instagram.

Yes! TransCamp is a registered 501(c)(3) non profit organization making your donations tax deductible. Make your donations directly to TransCamp here. You will receive a tax receipt via email upon donation.

Please email us your questions at [email protected] or DM us on our social media @transcamp.ca

All upcoming events are announced on our website and social media. Because we prioritize community safety and equity, our registration process differs depending on the event:

Overnight Camping Trips: To ensure a diverse and equitable community, these trips use an application-based system. Once the application window closes, selected participants are notified via email and must finalize their registration within a few days. Any unclaimed spots are then offered to those on our waitlist.

Day Events: These events do not require an application, though we do ask all participants to RSVP. Some day events serve as fundraisers and are open to cisgender allies. To ensure the space remains trans-centered, allies must register as a “+1” guest of a trans participant.

This shift allows us to significantly strengthen our safety protocols and ensure that every camping trip is equitable and intentional. This new approach allows us to curate a space where participation is balanced and inclusive, ensuring that TransCamp remains accessible to those who have been historically underrepresented in the outdoors.

All folks who’ve applied to be a part of our overnight trips, will receive a response. Once the application window closes, we review all submissions and will notify you of one of three outcomes:

• Accepted: You will receive an invitation to finalize your registration and select your payment tier.
• Waitlisted: You will be notified of your place on the waitlist. If a spot opens up, we will contact you immediately. You will also receive priority consideration for future events.
• Not Selected this Round: You will receive a notification informing you that we are unable to host you this time.

Please note: Selected participants must complete their registration within a few days of receiving their invite. If a spot remains unclaimed, it will be offered to the next person on the waitlist. The application window closes, selected participants are notified via email and must finalize their registration within a few days. Any unclaimed spots are then offered to those on our waitlist.

We understand life happens! If you can no longer attend, let us know immediately so we can open your spot to a community member on the waitlist. To keep our camp sustainable, we can only issue a refund if we are able to transfer your spot to a waitlisted person. You also have the option to “pay it forward” by donating your fee to help cover costs for trans femmes or BIPOC campers.

We move through our waitlist in stages. Our first round of waitlist invitations usually goes out two weeks after applications close. After that, we keep the list active until two weeks before the trip to account for any last-minute cancellations. If you’re on the waitlist, keep an eye on your inbox—we’d love to have you join us if a spot becomes available!

Unfortunately, no.

Due to limited resources and a few liability concerns we cannot allow you to just join for meals or activities if you are there at your own campsite. The park itself has rules on how many people can occupy the group campsite at a time. As a non-profit organization, we are required to apply for a permit that stipulates the max number of people that will be on the campsite. Any violation to the permit rules could compromise our standing with California State Parks and be detrimental to future trips.

No. We are unable to offer discounts for shared tent accommodations. However, if financial constraints are a concern, please inquire about our sliding scale options.

If you start feeling unwell or notice any symptoms during camp, please notify a TransCamp organizer immediately. There is no shame in getting sick! We will handle the situation with compassion and care. Depending on the situation, we may ask you to isolate at the campsite, mask, seek professional medical attention if necessary or head home to recover. The organizers will help you make the best decision for your health and the safety of all campers.

Before you reach camp: If you notice any symptoms the morning of the trip or on your way up, please remain or turn back home. Your health and the safety of the community come first.

For our 4-day, 3-night trips, we offer 4 tiers of tickets:

$300 | Pay It Forward: Covers the full cost of your attendance and helps subsidize a spot for another community member.

$150 | Standard Rate: Covers the cost of one participant’s attendance.

$75 | Reduced Rate (50% off): Available for trans femmes, BIPOC, and any participants with limited financial means. (limited number of spots)

$0 | Equity Rate (100% off): Reserved specifically for trans femmes and black trans participants to ensure equitable access to the outdoors. (limited number of spots)

The registration fees cover the cost of campground registration, all meals and all activities and workshops. The registration fee will not cover individual costs, for example:

• Gas to and from campsite (though if you are carpooling, please share with your group)
• Individual camping gear (Please let us know if you do not have certain gear and we can help you source what you need from other participants)

Yes, for our 4-day, 3-night trips, we offer 2 tiers of limited number of sliding scale tickets:

$75 | Reduced Rate (50% off): Available for trans femmes, BIPOC, and any participants with limited financial means. (limited number of spots)

$0 | Equity Rate (100% off): Reserved specifically for trans femmes and black trans participants to ensure equitable access to the outdoors. (limited number of spots)

We understand life happens! If you can no longer attend, let us know immediately so we can open your spot to a community member on the waitlist. To keep our camp sustainable, we can only issue a refund if we are able to transfer your spot to a waitlisted person. You also have the option to “pay it forward” by donating your fee to help cover costs for trans femmes or BIPOC campers.

Overnight trips: All selected campsites include on-site parking. To reduce our environmental footprint and ensure accessibility for those without vehicles, we coordinate a community carpool network. While we facilitate these connections, participants are responsible for their own travel-related costs, including gas, tolls, and any applicable parking fees. 

Day events: Similar to our overnight trips, we coordinate group carpools to ensure accessibility for those without vehicles.

If you’re carpooling with someone, please consider sharing the costs of gas and toll with your rideshare.

Overnight trips: All campsites come with free parking for a limited number of cars. Unfortunately, we cannot reserve free parking as parking tags are issued by the rangers office on a first come first serve basis. Vehicles arriving after the car limit has been reached will be responsible to pay for their parking directly to the rangers office. It typically ranges around $8-$10/day per vehicle

Day Events: Parking varies by location and event type. Specific instructions will be provided in each announcement; please check the event details or contact us for what to expect.

Yes, participants will need to bring their own tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads. We will also share a suggested packing list closer to the trip. 

If you don’t own camping gear, don’t worry! You can rent equipment from Sports Basement, or we can help you borrow items from fellow campers. TransCamp also maintains a limited gear library available for those who need it.

TransCamp has an extensive kitchen and food set-up. Below is what you can expect and what you would need to bring. Please reach out to us if you have specific needs that are not listed below

• Provided: All meals, cookware, plates, bowls, and cutlery. Hot Coffee and hot water with an assortment of teas at breakfast.
• Bring Your Own: A reusable water bottle and a mug or cup for drinks. Feel free to bring any personal favorite snacks as well.

Starting this year, we are excited to have a professional chef on-site! We provide communal, chef-prepared hot breakfasts and dinners daily. For lunch, a “DIY” sandwich bar will be available during the morning breakfast service for you to pack for your day’s adventures. We always do our best to accommodate dietary needs and allergies. Just let us know your requirements on the registration form so we can plan accordingly.

At TransCamp, you’re invited to participate as much or as little as feels right for you. Whether you’re looking to join in community activities or simply want a peaceful space to recharge outdoors, this is your camp to shape around your needs.

Most activities are optional, but all participants are asked to attend our workshops on racial equity. This dedicated time is an important part of our shared commitment to community care. Beyond that, we offer a range of optional activities, such as group hikes, craft sessions, open mics, and communal dinners

Specific programming is usually announced about two weeks before each trip, during a virtual info session open to all registered participants.

At TransCamp, we believe everyone deserves access to nature and community. Accessibility is core to that vision, and we’re actively working to make TransCamp more accessible for our disabled trans community. While camp is not yet fully accessible, we’re committed to ongoing improvements and open to discussing our current support and limitations.

To help make our trips as inclusive as possible, we only host car camping (not hike-in camping). Our campsites are typically located in state or national parks that offer ADA restrooms and/or showers (site-dependent) and flat, maintained terrain for easier mobility.

Starting 2026, we will also offer a dedicated virtual Accessibility Q&A before each application deadline. This session offers a chance to ask detailed questions about site logistics, access needs, and our current support practices.

Currently, you can expect the following support at TransCamp on an as-need basis:

• Assistance with transporting camping gear to and from vehicles
• Quiet zone for sensory breaks or downtime
• Dietary accommodations for shared meals
• COVID precautions to protect community health
• A range of outdoor activities that cater to different abilities and interests
• Pet policy that welcomes service animals
• Direct communication to answer access-related questions
• There’s also a section in our registration form to share your accessibility needs, but you’re always welcome to email us directly with questions or concerns. We deeply value feedback and continuously work to improve accessibility based on camper experiences.

At TransCamp, the health and safety of our participants is a top priority. We recognize that many of our siblings are immunocompromised or at higher risk, so we take COVID-19 precautions seriously.

Testing Requirements: All participants are required to take two COVID-19 tests before arrival, including one within 24 hours of attending camp.

Masks & Protective Gear:

• We ask participants to wear masks in public spaces starting one week before camp.
• Free KN95 and N95 masks are available on-site for all participants.
• Masking may be required around immunocompromised participants or anyone who requests extra precautions. Please carry a mask with you so you can protect yourself and others as needed.

On-Site Precautions:

• Free rapid COVID tests, face masks, and hand sanitizer are always available at our events.
• If you start feeling unwell or notice any symptoms during camp, please notify a TransCamp organizer immediately. There is no shame in getting sick! We will handle the situation with compassion and care.
• Depending on the situation, we may ask you to take a rapid COVID test, double mask, and/or isolate to ensure everyone’s safety.

COVID-Conscious Carpooling: If you are traveling with a carpool and want to take extra precautions, contact our team so we can help coordinate support for your access needs.

These measures help ensure that everyone can enjoy camp safely and comfortably. Thank you for helping us care for each other!

Registered service animals are welcome with advance notice and must remain on leash for the duration of the trip. Personal pets, including Emotional Support Animals, are not allowed.

TransCamp is not a sober space. In keeping with state and federal laws, anyone over the age of 21 is permitted to use alcohol or marijuana. However, moderate consumption is strictly enforced. Sharing these substances with anyone under 21 is strictly prohibited and failure to comply may lead to mandatory dismissal from the premises.

We prioritize safety, respect, and community well-being. We ask that you please adhere to the following guidelines around substance use:

• Consumption is a personal responsibility and liability
• Driving under the influence is strictly prohibited.
• Be mindful and respectful of sober participants.
• Consume responsibly: you must be able to walk yourself to the restroom and your tent. Excessive or disruptive behavior due to substance use will not be tolerated and may result in early dismissal.
• Smoking is permitted only in designated smoking areas
• Do not offer substances to other participants, regardless of age

TransCamp is not affiliated with any religious or spiritual organization. We respect individuals and their diverse practices; however, TransCamp is a secular space dedicated to providing a non-religious environment for participants. Given the common intersection between trans/queerness and religious trauma, we intentionally avoid activities associated with religious practices, such as collective prayer, worship, liturgical readings, or other religious rituals. Our primary focus is to create a space where trans individuals can recenter, build community, and connect with nature.