GiveOUT Day 2024: Pride Camp
Jump on board our GiveOUT Day campaign and help keep WayOut‘s Pride Camp running!
We are participating in GiveOUT Day 2024 to help raise funds for this year’s Pride Camp. Every dollar donated up to 17 October 2024 is matched meaning your donation results in double the impact!
For the past decade, Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s WayOut program has been delivering Pride Camps for LGBTIQA+ young people from the Macedon Ranges and neighbouring shires. These camps have taken place on different locations across regional Victoria and provide an opportunity for participants to increase a sense of connection, belonging and pride in a safe supported and affirming space for a three day, two night camp.
Pride Camp is promoted to young people aged 13-17, with training provided to up to 6 young people aged 18-25 to participate as youth leaders. WayOut engages LGBTIQA+ adult volunteers who work alongside camp staff and participate in camp activities as additional supports, role models and mentors.
“Pride camp is life changing and life saving for the young people like me who are often isolated in our towns. The intergenerational model of the camp makes space for all ages of queer history to connect and share stories and advice. Pride camp is my favorite time of year, it means a lot to be able to take a youth leader role, and help guide the younger generation and at the same time learn from them. It’s an all round wholesome camp and so many of us can’t wait to come back the next year!” (Pride Camp Youth Leader)
The camp provides LGBTIQA+ targeted workshops with specialist facilitators to explore identity, engage, connect and learn in a safe and affirming environment.
In 2023, as a result of attending Pride Camp:
- 79% campers identified increased social connections and networks
- 75% campers identified an increased sense of belonging in the LGBTIQA+ community
- 61% campers identified an increased sense of pride in their identity
WayOut wants to continue running Pride Camps into the future as we know how important increased belonging, social connection and pride in identity is for good mental health and wellbeing. This is why we are participating in GiveOUT Day 2024.
There are several ways you can help us with our GiveOUT Day campaign including:
- Save the Date: 17 October
- Support us with an early donation – click here (early donations are still doubled)
- Go to giveoutday.org.au to sign up as a champion and select us as your chosen organisation
- Share information about Pride Camp and our GiveOUT Day campaign with your friends, family, colleagues and anyone who will listen!
Together we can bring the magic to Pride Camp!
