Camp fYrefly, which began in 2004, is an educational, social, and personal learning retreat for sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ*) and allied youth. It focuses on building and nurturing their leadership potential and personal resiliency in an effort to help them learn how to make significant contributions to their own lives and to their schools, home/group-home environments, and communities. The Camp is designed for lesbian, gay. bissexual, trans*, genderqueer, non-binary, two-spirit, queer, questioning, pansexual, asexual, and allied youth between the ages of 14 and 24.
Participating in Camp fYrefly is a powerful and unique experience, which focuses on developing leadership qualities through activities that challenge youth to explore their identity, build resilience, and enhance self- and social-esteem. Camp fYrefly would like each youth participant to be able to return home with a "resilient mindset" and a support network of positive friendships, trusted adult mentors, and an empowered sense of self. The Camp is designed to help motivate participants to become leaders in their own communities, thereby passing on their leadership skills to the youth that come after them.
Camp fYrefly Calgary is located outside of Cochrane, Alberta on Treaty 7 Territory. We are grateful to host our camp on the land which includes the traditional territories of the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuu T’ina and the Stoney Nakoda First Nations as well as the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region III.
In partnership with the Calgary Sexual Health Centre, Camp fYrefly Calgary held its inaugural camp in the summer of 2013.
There are many ways that you can become involved with Camp fYrefly Calgary as a volunteer, donor, or community supporter – if you are interested in more information about the Calgary Camp, please contact the coordinator at hmutch@calgarysexualhealth.ca.
Camp fYrefly Calgary is greatly appreciative of the amazing support we have received from the Calgary community, including financial support from many individuals and organizations such as ATB Financial, TELUS, The Calgary Foundation, YYC Cycle, Dawg Tired, Hillhurst United Church, and Deer Park United Church.
All funds donated to Camp fYrefly Calgary stay in Calgary and are used to support the local camp.
