FAQs

TransCamp is a volunteer-run operation, created by trans people for trans people. TransCamp organizes 3-4 year-round camping trips for trans people, welcoming folks with all levels of camping experience. TransCamp aims to create a safe space for all trans folks to enjoy camping together. Our hope is that trans folks can feel more connected to each other and themselves through nature. We’re committed to being inclusive of trans women, trans femme, and trans BIPOC.

TransCamp was started by Samudra Sol and Elijah Barnard in Summer 2022. We love the outdoors, specifically camping, and we want to share this love and joy with our trans community.

TransCamp welcomes ANY person who identifies as transgender and is 18 years or older. This includes folks who identify as trans masculine, trans feminine, non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, gender non-conforming and all trans identities. We also welcome folks that are questioning their gender to reach out to us for more details. At this time, we do not have programming that includes cis-identifying people.

Folks are welcome to participate in activities or to make this camping space fit their needs – if you need just a space to be alone outdoors, we encourage people to do so! But we will also have some planned activities like hiking, group craft activities, affinity group activities, open mic, and communal dinners. Our campfire talks in the evenings are especially a meaningful highlight for people to connect. We might even get to do some stargazing if the weather is good!

Registration fees: ~ $75 per person for 3 nights
The registration fees cover the cost of campground registration, shared meals (Meals: Day 2 & Day 3 dinner, light snacks and hot beverages) and group rentals (like lanterns, canopies etc).

Please note that 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)
• Food expenses for breakfasts and lunches
• 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 campers)
• Participants will need to bring their own tents and sleeping supplies

We offer some sliding scale slots that are reserved for folks whose financial position would otherwise inhibit them from attending. BIPOC and trans femmes prioritized. For questions related to sliding scale, please reach out to us – [email protected]. Please reach out to us if you would like to attend the camping trip, but the cost would hinder you from attending ([email protected]). Similarly, please reach out to us if you would like to sponsor someone’s trip (fully or partially).

Yes* – This includes a tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, a basic lantern or headlamp. In order to reduce our contribution to landfill, we also ask that you bring your own cups, plates, bowls and utensils.

Please note you do not need to bring any cooking related camping gear, unless it is required by you for specific dietary reasons. We will have a camping stove, pots and pans.

*If you need help sourcing gear, reach out to us ([email protected]) and we’ll connect you with other campers that have extra gear.

Communal dinners are a cherished tradition, fostering a sense of community among participants. Volunteers help prepare meals, ensuring that we provide nutritious and delicious meals. Once all attendees have registered and their dietary requirements are known, we’ll finalize the menu to accommodate everyone. Anticipate enjoying classic camp-style meals such as tacos, pasta dishes, chili, etc. 

Please plan to bring your own lunch and breakfast foods. Some campers team up together to reduce food waste. 

In our planning, we prioritize accessibility. Camping trips often take place in state and national parks, which typically offer restroom facilities and campsites that meet accessibility guidelines. However, we are also mindful to build in additional accomodations to ensure that camping trips are inclusinve. A couple examples of this includes providing assistance with transporting camping gear to and from cars, and offering a range of outdoor activities that cater to different abilities and interests. However, as each campsite varies, we encourage campers to reach out to us with any questions or concerns regarding specific accessibility needs. We encourage campers to communicate with us and provide opportunities for feedback after each camping trip to continually improve accessibility.

In keeping with guidelines set out by the ADA, we welcome service animals. However, we cannot accommodate pets including ESA. If you do have a service animal, they will need to be on leash during the entirety of the camping trip out of courtesy to other campers within our group, and in compliance with state park rules. We do ask that you inform us if you plan on bringing a service animal ahead of the trip, so that we can notify other campers that there will be service animals on the premises. We do this so that those with anxiety around animals can make informed decisions as well. 

TransCamp is not in any way affiliated with a religious or spiritual entity. We do not discriminate against individuals and their various practices, however TransCamp is a secular space and we are committed to offering a non-religious space to participants. Because of the common intersection between trans/queerness and religious trauma, we tend to avoid activities that have associations with religious practices such as collective prayer, worship, liturgical readings, or other religious rituals. Instead our focus is to facilitate space for trans folks to recenter, find community, and be in nature.

In keeping with state and federal laws, anyone over the age of 21 is permitted to use alcohol or marijuana. Sharing these substances with campers under the age of 21 is strictly prohibited and will result in being sent home early at the individual(s) expense. While we acknowledge and respect individuals’ choices regarding alcohol and marijuana usage, we prioritize the safety and well-being of all campers and maintain certain guidelines to ensure a positive experience for everyone.

• Alcohol and marijuana consumption within moderation is permitted for campers that are of legal age.
• Individuals are responsible for their own consumption and must do so in moderation.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited.
• We encourage campers to be mindful of their substance use and to respect our sober siblings.
• Excessive or disruptive behavior due to substance use will not be tolerated and will result in being asked to leave early at the camper’s expense.

Safe usage and respectfulness toward our sober siblings are essential aspects of our camping community. When smoking marijuana, please do so away from tents and common use areas. We encourage all participants to enjoy themselves responsibly while being considerate of others’ experiences and choices. 

You can contact us directly at [email protected]

In addition to the FAQ above, we will be hosting an info session via Zoom for all folks who’ve signed up. This is to encourage people to get to know each other and to discuss detailed plans (food, gear, rideshare, location) for the upcoming trip. This session will be a great opportunity for you to come with all your questions.