A permanent home for Rainbow Camp® — where 2SLGBTQ+ youth and allies can experience belonging, joy, leadership, chosen family, and community for generations to come.
Rainbow Camp® has spent more than a decade creating spaces where young people can be safe, seen, and celebrated. Now we are working toward something we have never had: a permanent home of our own.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has suggested camps, rental facilities, properties, and possible places where Rainbow Camp® could operate.
But finding somewhere to hold camp is no longer the goal. There are viable opportunities available to us. What Rainbow Camp® needs is the capital to purchase and develop a property that can become a stable, accessible and permanent home.
This campaign is about moving from temporary solutions to long-term security.
For many queer, trans, Two-Spirit, non-binary, questioning, and allied youth, Rainbow Camp® is one of the first places where they do not have to hide, shrink, explain, or defend who they are.
A permanent home would protect that experience from the uncertainty of temporary facilities and allow us to plan years ahead instead of one season at a time.
Rainbow Camp® youth remain at the heart of this vision. A permanent home would give future camp programming greater stability while also creating room for year-round connection, community partnerships, families, volunteers, allies, and older generations of 2SLGBTQ+ people.
Many older 2SLGBTQ+ people grew up at a time when safe and affirming spaces were rare or simply did not exist. Some continue to experience isolation, particularly in Northern and rural communities.
Our long-term vision creates opportunities for older adults to connect, contribute, share their stories and experience community without having to hide who they are.
Aging with Pride can include retreats, gatherings, mentorship, storytelling and future programming created with older 2SLGBTQ+ adults in mind.
Many older 2SLGBTQ+ people grew up without an affirming place where they could fully be themselves. This campaign honours that history without asking today's young people to repeat it.
We have an opportunity to build what many of us needed when we were young — and give the next generation something even better: a place that already exists for them.
It is a chance for one generation to help create something lasting for the next, while building a community where people of different ages can continue to learn from and care for one another.
The home many of us never had can become the home young people inherit.
Colin Mochrie and Deb McGrath have been long-time friends and supporters of Rainbow Camp®. Their message will help introduce the heart behind this next chapter.
Leaders in government, mental health, public education, and regional social services have spoken about the value of creating a stable, accessible, year-round home for Rainbow Camp® and the communities we serve.
“A permanent, accessible and year-round facility would provide long-term stability while allowing the organization to expand its services beyond summer to youth, families, and seniors across Ontario.”
“Programs that reduce isolation and create safe, supportive environments make a meaningful contribution to positive mental health. We respectfully encourage funders and community partners to support establishing a permanent home for Rainbow Camp.”
“Rainbow Camp provides youth with opportunities to build confidence, leadership skills, and positive relationships. A permanent location creates opportunities to expand year-round youth leadership development and family supports.”
“As a deliverer of social and paramedic services, the ADSAB recognizes the importance of safe, inclusive, and accessible programs that promote connection, belonging, and early support for individuals, families, and communities.”
Building a permanent future will take individuals, families, foundations, businesses, governments, community partners and people who believe young people deserve a place to belong.
Every gift helps strengthen Rainbow Camp® and moves the permanent-home vision forward.
Multi-year commitments can provide the confidence and momentum needed for major capital decisions.
Major and transformational gifts can help move property acquisition and development from vision to reality.
Legacy and estate gifts can help ensure future generations of 2SLGBTQ+ youth have a place to belong.
Traditional overnight Rainbow Camp® sessions are not running in 2026. This transition year gives us an opportunity to strengthen year-round connection, prepare for future programming, and move the permanent-home vision forward.
We are actively working toward the return of overnight programming in 2027. Updates will be shared as plans develop.
A permanent home can give Rainbow Camp® the stability to serve young people today while creating belonging, connection and community for generations to come.
