gender inclusivity
We welcome and embrace diversity at Cali Camp within our campers and staff. We strive to create an environment where all individuals regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion and disabilities feel safe, seen and heard. Through diverse hiring practices, and our campership programs we are committed to creating a diverse environment for all to thrive.
At Cali Camp we are welcoming of all cis, queer, trans and non-gender conforming individuals.
We offer single and mixed gendered groups for campers to choose.
We will always place a child in whichever group makes them feel most comfortable and safe.
Groups at Camp
We often get asked why we have gendered spaces at all. Our answer to that is that being in a gendered space can be really fun and magical. There is something intangible about having the “Coyote Bro Code” or the “Doves Flock” that feels really connective and special. Many adults experience this with the infamous “Girls Night Out” or having a “Man Cave.”
However, from a child development standpoint, the benefits of gendered spaces can be even more significant. For example, when groups visit a stereotypical ”female” activity some boys are less inclined to participate based on social constructs surrounding boys dancing. If the 11 year old boys group is at dance, and there is a girl within 50 feet some boys will plaster themselves against the wall in the best imitation of a fly that they can muster. However, when it’s just the boys alone (with an out-going, “super cool” male counselor that shows them dancing is cool) those boys are out learning the moves to “thriller” like it’s their job. We are able to break that cycle of toxic masculinity much quicker when they feel “safe” in an all male group. We have experienced this same trend on the other end of the spectrum when a group of 8 year olds go play a game of ultimate frisbee together in a mixed gender group. At that age, developmentally speaking, boys and girls are in different stages of growth and abilities. We have seen time and time again that some girls will be content to sit off to the side, talking and enjoying the company of other females, often stating things like “the boys play too rough.” Those females are perfectly happy to sit out and socialize, however at Cali Camp we want everyone to feel comfortable to play, and play hard at their own level. We want the girls to get out there and have a great time playing sports and trying new things! When the groups are gendered, we see much more participation from girls in our sports activities.
Of course this is all gender-generalizations, and we know there are plenty of campers that are happy to play or dance no matter the company that they are with. Our directors are happy to discuss this philosophy further as needed.
pronouns at Camp
We strive for everyone to feel safe and seen. For this reason, we proudly display our gender pronouns on our staff name tags. We believe it’s never too early to shift the binary gender language, however we know that parents may want to introduce this topic to their children in their own way. We encourage you to speak with your camper about gender pronouns at home before attending camp. Most of the time we simply tell inquisitive campers “that’s a great question for your parents.” For a guide to talking to your kids about gender, the article An age-by-age guide to talking to your kids about gender by Today’s Parent Magazine.