Camp Caterpillar was started by the mom of a transgender girl and a two-spirit child along with Camp Tapawingo in 2015. Camp Caterpillar is a Tapawingo camp for kids of all genders with a few exciting differences that make for a particularly wonderful environment for gender creative, trans, two-spirit, and genderqueer campers, as well as their siblings and friends, allies, and children of queer parents.
Cabins: Cabins are assigned by age, not by gender. Campers can request to sleep in the same cabin as a friend or sibling.
Counsellors: Camp Tapawingo counsellors are trained in LGBTQ allyship by educators. At Camp Caterpillar, staff members and volunteer counsellors (mostly gender queer and trans folks) work to ensure expertise around gender diversity and gender creativity is in every space at camp.
Bathrooms: All bathrooms are not binary gendered spaces, they are for every gender.
Clothing: Campers are encouraged to wear whatever makes them feel joyful in expressing themselves. Campers can get changed for bedtime or for swim in the cabin or in a private space. Campers can wear whatever swimwear they are comfortable in.
Spirituality: The United Church is affirming and inclusive of people of all gender identities. People of every faith, or no faith, are honoured at camp.
Names and pronouns (like she, he, per, ze, etc.): Campers will be called by the name and pronouns they wish and they are free to change their name and pronouns as they need.
Confidentiality: Campers will never be asked to reveal their gender, information about their body or to "come out". Photos from this camp are not shared.
Community: Camp Caterpillar offers parent time and an optional supporters workshop at the end of camp.
Cabins: Cabins are assigned by age, not by gender. Campers can request to sleep in the same cabin as a friend or sibling.
Counsellors: Camp Tapawingo counsellors are trained in LGBTQ allyship by educators. At Camp Caterpillar, staff members and volunteer counsellors (mostly gender queer and trans folks) work to ensure expertise around gender diversity and gender creativity is in every space at camp.
Bathrooms: All bathrooms are not binary gendered spaces, they are for every gender.
Clothing: Campers are encouraged to wear whatever makes them feel joyful in expressing themselves. Campers can get changed for bedtime or for swim in the cabin or in a private space. Campers can wear whatever swimwear they are comfortable in.
Spirituality: The United Church is affirming and inclusive of people of all gender identities. People of every faith, or no faith, are honoured at camp.
Names and pronouns (like she, he, per, ze, etc.): Campers will be called by the name and pronouns they wish and they are free to change their name and pronouns as they need.
Confidentiality: Campers will never be asked to reveal their gender, information about their body or to "come out". Photos from this camp are not shared.
Community: Camp Caterpillar offers parent time and an optional supporters workshop at the end of camp.
