Summer Camp
Camp Lightbulb was founded in 2011 and is one of the first summer camps for LGBTQ+ youth in the US or anywhere. We're not just camp. We're an inspiration and celebration conference full of fun and community.
Camps take place in some of the queer-friendliest cities in the world: golden Los Angeles, picturesque Provincetown, and vibrant New York City. Each location is core to our programming and brings our community and campers closer together.
Each camp is unique and incorporates our core principles of Art, Community, Fun, Learning, Outdoors, Service, and Wellness. Campers can expect a whirlwind mix of inspiration and celebration – which may include discussions, drag, a pride runway, gender-neutral makeup sessions, inspiring speakers, gay icons, social media activism, themed parties, and fun trips and visits.
Our programming does not offer electives and is geared toward campers who are emotionally, physically, and mentally ready to engage with a wide variety of programming elements. Please review the Essential Eligibility Criteria for Physical and Mental Health.
Who is a Camp Lightbulb camper? Camp Lightbulb campers are independent, can self-manage, and do not need full-time supervision. Registration is open to ages 15 to 18, and former campers ages 18 to 20 may join us as Counselors in Training. CIT's pay the full rate to attend camp.
Accommodation is in gender-neutral dorms with shared bathrooms and randomized room assignments with at least one counselor per room. In Provincetown, we have exclusive use of a hostel, our home away from home. In Los Angeles and New York, we stay in dedicated dorms.
Meals are family-style. We start the day with a simple continental breakfast. Lunch is usually a brown paper bag on the go, and dinners consist of camper-approved food prepared by our chef or a local restaurant, including cookouts, pizza, pasta, burritos, and fish & chips. We can accommodate food allergies with advance notice.
We follow guidelines by the relevant state and local authorities, comply with Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations, and are licensed by the Truro Board of Health. Our fully vetted and diverse counselors must pass background checks.
Fees are all-inclusive except for travel to/from camp and pocket money and are refundable less a 10 percent admin fee until May 1, 2024.
Dates are subject to change, and registrants must complete registration forms, a camper/parent interview, and a camper personal statement before camp. We will email registration forms in early June 2024. Please check your spam folder routinely, as email is our main form of communication.
Financial assistance is available on a Pay-What-You-Can basis. Please email us if you need a campership.
Click the relevant link below to register. To join the waitlist of a sold-out camp, follow that camp’s link to Eventbrite, click “Get Tickets” and then “Join the Waitlist.”
