It is easy to think that LGBTQ students have it good here in Iowa. We passed the Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Act of 2007, amended the Iowa Civil Rights Code to include gender identity and sexual orientation in 2007, and won marriage equality in 2009.

The work is over right…? Wrong.

Iowa Safe Schools works with thousands of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning students in all 99 counties of Iowa, and an overwhelming majority have expressed feelings of loneliness, discrimination, sadness, and lack of interaction with other student like them.

The mission of Iowa Safe Schools’ Pride Camp is to provide a safe and affirming place for LGBTQ & allied youth ages 14-18 to learn valuable life skills and network with other LGBTQ youth in a supportive and nurturing environment. Pride Camp is an epic, life changing program for LGBTQ and allied youth to learn, grow, and connect with each other.

Pride Camp is not your typical gay camp, and is the first of it’s kind in the Midwest to offer a safe space for students in an overnight, summer camp format.

Studies show that being able to speak with a supportive and caring adult can have a significant positive impact for a student, particularly those who feel alone (GLSEN, 2015). Pride Camp is so much more than something for a student to do over summer vacation. We are helping build the resiliency of youth who identify with a marginalized population, and are building tomorrow’s leaders today.

Many LGBTQ students in Iowa live in rural communities where they are the only “out” student, and don’t get to interact with other LGBTQ or allied youth. Pride Camp is a safe space for all students to connect with peers, learn important life skills, and create amazing memories.