Camp Pride Leadership Camp

Each year, the GLBTA Pride Center sponsors two students to attend Camp Pride - the only nationwide GLBTA leadership camp in the country. While there, students learn from experts in the fields of GLBT advocacy, social justice, politics, and leadership while developing a strong network of peers across the nation. Equipped with a solid understanding and awareness of these issues, our students will be better prepared to advocate for inclusion of disenfranchised groups on our campus and in their communities.

Apply to receive financial sponsorship from the Pride Center to attend Camp Pride next summer (July 2013). Applications are due March 22, 2013.

Your application must consist of a completely filled out application and at least one reference from a member of the BSU community (faculty, staff, or student).

Download the Application (Word document)
Download Letter of Reference (Word document)

Listen to Kelly Neufell describe her experience Listen to Lou Johnson describe hir experience

Please note the minimum eligibility requirements for BSU sponsorship:
- Matriculated in a BSU degree program
- GPA of 2.25 or higher at BSU
- Must have successfully completed at least one semester of BSU coursework
- Good judicial standing

As stated on the Campus Pride web site, "the five-day camp experience works to develop stronger undergraduate student leaders and safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities.  Participants have the opportunity to learn valuable campus organizing skills, coalition building and strategies for creating change at colleges and universities."

When BSU students attend Camp Pride, both the students and the University win. Students win because they gain in-depth knowledge about GLBT issues and learn how to be effective campus leaders. BSU wins because when our students return they have the opportunity to apply their new knowledge and skills to benefit the BSU GLBTA community.

Camp Pride Agreement
In order to keep this program "win-win," students who receive sponsorship to attend Camp Pride from the Pride Center will meet with the Pride Center director upon their return to campus the following fall semester to discuss possible contributions they can make to the campus. The specific contribution of each student will be mutually agreed upon by the student and the director. 

Some examples of possible contributions are:

  1. Regularly attend Pride Center programming.
  2. Submit a poster or present a session of their experience at Camp Pride for possible selection in the Experiential Learning Expo. 
  3. Serve as co-chair of the Camp Pride Selection Committee during the Spring semester following participation in Camp Pride. The Camp Pride Selection committee consists of members of the Pride Coalition who volunteer on an ad-hoc basis to select the next BSU student recipients for Pride Center sponsorship to Camp Pride the following year.
  4. Develop an event to educate the campus on GLBTA issues.
  5. Spearhead an advocacy initiative to improve GLBT equity and inclusion on campus.
     

Goals of the Program

To better enhance campus participation in our diverse and global society, promote opportunities for students to interact with diverse groups, and increase student engagement in learning, GLBTA students need opportunities to examine the complex dynamics of privilege and oppression. Equipped with a solid understanding and awareness of these issues, our students will be prepared to advocate for inclusion of disenfranchised groups on our campus and in their communities.

Learning Outcomes 

  1. Identify and describe components of their own identities that give them power and privilege as citizens and leaders in our society.
  2. Discuss ways in which queer or ally leaders fit into queer contexts and communities working to create positive change.
  3. Identify key resources and best practices available to create and implement a more inclusive and safe campus
  4. Apply leadership skills to create change on their home campuses and equip them to be social justice advocates for life (in places of worship, workplace, larger community).
  5. Identify and work with a network of peer and national leaders.
  6. Present current and emerging issues impacting queer communities in the United States.


BSU Camp Pride Alumni

Kelly attended Camp Pride July 2011. Read about her experience in her own words.

(Left to right): Kate, who attended July 2009, and Lou and Tom who attended July 2010.

Read about their Camp Pride experience:
Kate (page 2)
Lou (AKA Hannah Johnson, page 3)
Tom (page 2)

Eric and Shawn, our inaugural Camp Pride attendees, 2008. Read their story.

Last Modified: February 1, 2013