P-Town’s first LGBT youth summer camp launches with Camp Lightbulb

LGBT youth (16-18 year old) can – for the first time – attend a week-long overnight summer camp from August 5-11, in the heart of the accepting environment of Provincetown. In its inaugural year Camp Lightbulb will welcome LGBT young people, on a special introductory rate of $250 for a week-long experience, including all accommodation, food, drink, and activities. The Camp will offer fun, Pride, community, friends, self discovery and memories to last a lifetime.

The Camp is led by an experienced Camp Director; Program Leaders with experience in the Arts, Counselling and Fitness & Wellness; and supported by volunteer counsellors and local mentors. The camp will offer 5 core elements:

• Campus Provincetown: welcome by Town Crier, expeditions with Centre for Coastal Studies, dune tours, whale watching, a visit to Pilgrims Monument, beach cleaning
• Summer camp fun: bonfires, games, movie night
• Self Discovery: sessions on self esteem, self confidence, pride, spirituality, dealing with bullying, gender identity, visit by LGBT icon, LGBT history
• Arts & Crafts: art lab, creative writing, video, radio and DJ projects, gallery & museum visits
• Fitness & Wellbeing: active group games, kayaking, hiking, healthy cooking

Set up by Puck Markham, Executive Director, Camp Lightbulb is a forward-looking non-profit organisation. He commented: “At Camp Lightbulb young people can be amongst peers, be themselves perhaps for the first time, and explore themes of identity, hopes and future aspirations, in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Provincetown is an ideal location, famous for its beautiful surroundings, its significance as a progressive artist and writer’s colony, and with a unique gay & lesbian history, welcoming to all. Provincetown is where being gay is unexceptional, encouraging an environment of pride and acceptance for our youth. It’s a perfect fit.”

Scott Fitzmaurice, Executive Director of Thrive (CIGSYA), The Cape and Islands Gay and Straight Youth Alliance, says “Camp Lightbulb is creating an unique opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth to have a truly culturally relevant summer experience with their peers in Provincetown. When youth can come together in an environment which completely supports their identity, not only is it rare, but in that environment, they are able to develop a positive sense of themselves which can have lifelong impact”.

Liz Carney, a painter and community arts educator and gallery in town, has been working with youth for over twenty years and will lead the arts & crafts programme at Camp. She adds: “I’m excited to be part of Camp Lightbulb’s inaugural year because the mission is vital and timely and there’s great energy in getting a project like this off the ground with a smart and talented team. It’s the birthing of something great for LGBT teens and for our community of Provincetown. Everybody wins!”

The location of this year’s camp is Coastal Acres Campground, a 10 minute bike ride from dunes, beaches and the centre of Provincetown. There is still limited availability at the Camp. Interested LGBT youth and their families can sign up for a place at Camp Lightbulb by visiting: www.camplightbulb.org.