Ann Arbor YMCA Summer Camp Offers New Gender-Friendly Accommodation

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Campers can now choose to stay in gender-neutral accommodation this summer at YMCA’s Camp Al-Gon-Quian in northern Michigan.

Located on Burt Lake, the residential camp has historically been separated into male and female spaces. While campers can choose which areas they live in, the Y has designated cabins for those who do not identify with any of the areas, YMCA officials said in a statement.

“At the YMCA of Ann Arbor, we strive to be a welcoming and inclusive non-profit organization for the LGBTQ community and to give young people a voice in the types of programs and services we offer. We want individuals to know that they can be themselves at Camp AGQ and at all of our locations, ”YMCA of Ann Arbor President and CEO Toni Kayumi said in a statement.

Each cabin at Camp Al-Gon-Quian accommodates between seven to nine campers and two or three monitors, according to the camp’s website.

Participants have their own bunk and space for personal items in addition to a bathroom and privacy cubicles for hygiene needs, the YMCA said.

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The summer program will offer several sessions, a mini-camp and a family camp in June, July and August. The duration of the sessions varies between 4 and 13 days.

Camp sessions are designed for campers ages 8-16, with mini-camp geared for kids ages 6-9. Activities include horseback riding, archery and rock climbing.

Registration is already available for YMCA Ann Arbor members, returning campers and alumni. Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 11 for non-members and new families.

The Y provides safe spaces for LGBT youth, including time for the pool through its Out to Swim program, pride nights and gender integration classes.

Learn more about Residential Summer Camp here.