Young people today are growing up in a world that is more connected than ever, yet many still report feeling isolated. They move between digital spaces, school environments, extracurricular activities, and home life—but not all of those spaces feel like places where they truly belong.
This tension raises an important question for all of us who work with and care for young people: What does it actually take to create belonging?
At Camp Fire, we often talk about inclusion as a starting point. Inclusion opens the door. But belonging is what happens when a young person feels not only invited in—but connected, valued, and genuinely part of the community. We see this clearly in program settings, where belonging is not a single moment, but an ongoing commitment.
As we step into Pride Month, we’re reflecting on our approach to inclusion and belonging for 2SLGBTQ+ young people and the ways in which what we learned has helped us to create intentional, safe spaces where everyone can feel a sense of belonging.
Belonging Starts Before Arrival
Belonging doesn’t begin when a young person walks into a Camp Fire program. It begins much earlier, and it starts with how they are invited in.
In strong program environments, families and young people receive communication that signals they are truly welcome. Not just allowed, but considered as a whole, unique individual. Clear information, thoughtful preparation, and proactive outreach all communicate the same message: this space was designed with you in mind.
At Camp Fire, this often looks like connecting with families after registration to better understand each participant’s needs and strengths. It may include social stories, pre-camp webinars, open houses, or introduction materials that help reduce uncertainty and build trust before the first day even begins.
For queer youth, knowing your identity specifically will be included is so important. One Camp Fire camper shared the impact that simply raising the Pride flag at the beginning of a camp session had on them: “Yeah, it kind of shocked me because I didn’t know what [camp] was gonna be like, at all. When I saw that, it made me really excited. And I felt safer with the adults, because sometimes you never know how adults will react to things. But the adults are doing that. So it makes you feel much better, for me at least.”
These preparatory actions and small signals can create a sense of relief for young people – allowing them to be themselves and explore freely during their time in program.
Community Is Built Through Showing Up
Community is rarely created through one grand gesture. More often, it grows through consistent acts of care. It’s the friend who checks in on you or the mentor who remembers your story.
Rituals, traditions, gatherings, and reliable presence are how community grows.
Young people need that consistency in order to thrive. Research on camp experiences and youth development has shown that supportive communities help strengthen resilience, well-being, confidence, and social connections.
For many children and teens, camps and afterschool programs become some of the first places where they experience community outside of school or family structures. A caring counselor, an encouraging peer group, or a space where individuality is celebrated can have a lasting impact.
Showing up consistently and openly is vital for queer youth. At Camp Fire, affiliates participate in local pride events and encourage staff to appropriately share about their identity and family structure.
One Camp Fire camper shared about seeing queer role models at camp: “I know that my parents were super worried about me growing up being part of a minority, and what would happen? And would I be in danger? But it shows that, like there are some aspects of people not being great, but it can turn out fine. I mean my biggest thing for camp is I want to be a counselor this year. I’m doing leadership focus, so I can actually start on that path. I’m really excited for stuff like that.”
By showing up and sharing our authentic selves as adults, we give hope for the future to queer young people and their families. We also strengthen our communities as a whole–at Camp Fire, your full self is welcome, whoever that is.
Belonging Is Something We Build Together
At its core, community is not accidental. It’s shaped through intentional choices. We make space for others. We show up consistently. We practice empathy. Most of all, we create spaces where people feel safe enough to be fully themselves.
Pride month is a time to celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ members of our Camp Fire community and a reminder that inclusion and belonging is a year-round commitment.
Belonging is not just about being invited into the room. In a time when loneliness and disconnection are affecting so many young people, it’s about making sure everyone feels seen, valued, supported, and connected to themselves, to others, and to the outdoors.
Explore programs near you → https://campfire.org/programs/
