We love this question! It means you feel the magic too, and want to assist us in creating the most amazing weekend.

Volunteers are the engine of this community and we thank you for joining us in such a big beautiful gay way!!

Volunteer registration is closed for the 2026 season. If there is a need, we will post on our social media!

This is the "Camp that started it all!" Our Big Gay Camp will be held at the iconic Sparrow Lake Camp in Severn Bridge, ON. This weekend is our biggest gathering of the year! We’ve stripped away the hustle to focus on a slower pace: think nostalgic summer camp vibes mixed with modern queer joy. It’s a full weekend of lakefront views, connection, and deep rest.

What does the schedule look like? We’ve curated the flow to be low-pressure and high-connection:

• Fri-GAY Arrival: Settle into your cabin and head to the docks for Sunset Yoga. The evening features our Big Gay Hang-out, a slow-paced night of pot-luck dinner, campfires, ice breakers, and music. It’s the perfect time to meet your "chosen family" for the weekend.
• Saturday: Play & Rest: Spend the day exactly how you want. Join a workshop, ground yourself in a sound bath, or get some fresh ink at our tattoo station. We’ll have lake floats, sailing, a high-ropes and climbing wall course, massages, and lake swims throughout the day.
• Saturday Night: Dinner & The Big Show: Enjoy a massive catered dinner prepared by Chef Skylar and our incredible "volun-queers." As the sun sets, we move into our headline event: a Camper Talent Show & Queer-aoke Night under the stars. Bring your instruments, your voice, and your sparkle!
• Sunday: Reciprocity & Goodbyes: We spend Sunday morning giving back to the land with a communal garden and grounds cleanup. We’ll have a "Leave No Trace" sweep of the cabins before a final closing ceremony at the Pavilion. No big stage shows today, just the beach, heartfelt goodbyes and community connection.

What should I bring? * Bedding: It’s classic camp! Bring your own sleeping bag/linens and pillows for the cabins.

• Queer-aoke Spirit: Bring your instruments or your favorite karaoke track for the Saturday night show.
• Cozies: September nights on the lake can be chilly, bring layers!

An Open Heart: We lead with names and pronouns. Bring your best "chosen family" energy.

AQueerCamp is a non-profit dedicated to creating spaces for queer joy, rest, and connection in nature. We host various events ranging from rugged backcountry expeditions to all-ages community retreats.

You sure can. We believe in being open with our community because AQueerCamp is a collective effort. Last year, we faced significant financial losses, largely because the "old model" of offering free lodging and meals was no longer sustainable with the rising costs of venue rentals and food.

Transparency is at the heart of our community of care. Last year was a beautiful year of growth, but it was also a major learning lesson in sustainability. We provided $5,500 in Pay-It-Forward (PIF) costs and scholarships to ensure no one was left behind. While our community donations covered $1,323 of that, Skylar and Jessie personally covered the remaining $4,177 to make sure camp could happen.

As much as we love this space, that model isn't sustainable for the long term and to ensure AQueerCamp exists for years to come, we’ve had to make some tough but necessary shifts. Moving to Sparrow Lake allows us to provide a more accessible, high-care environment with professional meals and infrastructure, but it requires a more balanced budget. Your ticket covers the the venue rental and all the new (and major!!!) facilities, and the "boring" but vital costs like insurance and permits that keep us safe. It also means accessible cabins, and dedicated spaces like the Rec Hall and Craft Cabin. Your ticket covers:

• Hearty, Inclusive Meals: No more worrying about coolers; we’re taking care of the food so you can focus on rest. Just BYO-snacks!
• The Venue: A site that supports our intergenerational community with real beds and central washrooms.
• Fairness & Future: Covering the "hefty" operational costs while building back our stability so we can keep growing.

To help keep camp accessible, we are introducing Tiered Pricing this year! The earlier you book, the more you save:

• Tier 1: March/April (Our most accessible rate)
• Tier 2: May/June
• Tier 3: July/August
  

Not to toot our own horn but AQC is not your average camping retreat. This isn't just popping a tent and gathering around a campfire (which by the way is also a blast). This is several steps up from tent camping in the woods. AQC is a fully interactive and immersive weekend. For 2026 we project covering over $8000 in entry fees to volunteer staff and managers, specialty providers, entertainment folx and don’t forget our Pay-It-Forward campers.

Outside of high operational costs of just the weekend of the retreat, we have several recurring business costs throughout the year. These costs incl. insurance, storage fees, webpage fees and our biggest cost of venue spaces and food!

AQC is run by TWO womxn who spend hundreds of hours a year planning this event because they know how much we need this magical space. AQC has an incredible and dedicated group of volunteers, and creators.

Behind the scenes we are working hard on the Non-Profit side to get funding to assist camper attendance as well as PAY OUR ARTISTS, but we are not there yet!

And so, these are the costs divided amongst the group.

PEC: Cost based on accommodation capacity.

Algonquin: Cost per person for this 3 Night adventure.

BIG camp: Camper ticket cost built into cost of accommodation you choose! Private accommodations cost based on camper occupancy potential. Tent/shared bunk campers PER person.

We know that summer planning is a big commitment, so we offer a split-payment option through an app called Downpay. This allows you to secure your registration with a 50% deposit today, while the remaining balance is automatically charged 60 days later to the same payment method.

• How it works: Simply select the "50% Deposit" option on the product page. You’ll pay half now, and the system will handle the rest; we will send a 30-day reminder. There is no need for you to remember a second deadline!
• The Fine Print: Because we immediately commit these funds to Sparrow Lake and our wilderness partners, all deposits and final payments are non-refundable.

If the automatic charge doesn't go through on day 60, the system will typically try again 24 hours later. You will also receive an automated email letting you know the payment didn't clear.

• How to fix it: You can update your payment method directly through that email or by logging into your AQC account.
• Our Grace Period: We offer a 48-hour grace period to resolve any payment issues. If we don’t hear from you or the payment isn't updated within that window, we may have to release your spot to someone on the waitlist (this is particularly important for Algonquin camp, as spaces are so limited).
• Moving at the speed of trust: If you’re experiencing a technical glitch or a banking delay, please reply to your registration email immediately. We are humxns, not just a computer system, and we’d much rather work with you to keep you coming to camp than lose you over a card error!

Currently, our system is set to pull the balance automatically at the 60-day mark. If you need to settle your balance sooner for budgeting reasons, please email us and we can manually trigger the invoice for you.

We have updated our discount structure to ensure we can keep the lights on while still honouring the incredible "sweat equity" our community puts in.

Who gets a code? Discount codes are reserved specifically for our Committed Volunteers; which means those who are spending a significant portion of their weekend (half-day to full-day shifts) helping us run the magic behind the scenes.

Important Notes:

• Facilitators: While we are so grateful for our workshop leaders, we are unable to offer discount codes or free lodging for facilitators this year due to our budget constraints. We are prioritizing "low-cost" over "no-cost" to keep the camp sustainable for everyone.
• No Stacking: Only one code can be used per purchase.

One at a Time: If you and a friend both have volunteer codes, please buy your tickets separately to ensure each code applies correctly.

AQueerCamp is a gender-affirming space. We intentionally choose venues and create environments that prioritize the comfort of trans, non-binary, and gender-non-conforming folx. Whether it’s discussing backcountry hygiene or sleeping arrangements at Sparrow Lake, we ensure that gender identity is never a barrier to participation.

Our events are designed for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and their chosen family. While our BIG Camp is open to adults, kids, and pets, other events like the Algonquin Backcountry camp (for now) is 18+ at this time.

*ALL campers under 18, must be with a chaperone

Yes. We respect the "privacy" of the woods. While we take photos to celebrate queer joy, we always ask for consent before posting anyone on social media, especially as some of our community members may not be out in all areas of their lives.

Absolutely not. A significant portion of our campers arrive solo! Our programming, such as the Friday Night Speed Friending at the PEC Takeover or our intimate Algonquin pre-camp video calls, is specifically designed to break the ice and build "chosen family" before we even hit the trail. We move at the pace of the group to ensure no one is left behind, physically or socially.

Yes, absolutely! We believe that queer joy and connection to nature should be accessible to everyone, including those with little ones in tow. We aren't here to create more barriers; we’re here to break them down.

Here is how we cultivate a space that works for everyone:

• The Vibe is Community: Our events are rooted in connection and "chosen family" energy. We encourage a space where children can see queer joy modeled in nature, and where parents can find a supportive community that understands the unique beauty of queer parenting.
• Autonomy & Choices: Around the evening campfire, we maintain a relaxed "camp for adults" atmosphere where folks may choose to have a drink or smoke. We don't police these choices; instead, we foster a culture of mutual respect. You decide what is best for your family’s comfort level, and the community will respect that boundary.

Intentional Programming: At larger events like BIG Camp, we ensure there are activities that appeal to all ages—from lakefront exploration to morning wellness sessions.

We love our four-legged campers! However, because we move between different environments, from rugged backcountry to boutique motels, the rules change depending on where we are. Our general rule of thumb: Please be cool humxns, and only bring your low-key, laid-back, and cool dogs.

Here is the breakdown by event:

• The PEC Takeover:
• Ray’s Cottages: Traditionally pet-friendly, there is an on-site fee for furry friends.
• BIG Camp (Sparrow Lake):
• Please note that for this specific venue, pets are only permitted in private cabins/camping. However, service animals will be permitted.
• Algonquin Backcountry:
• Though dogs are permitted in the Algonquin Backcountry, seeing as this is a guided retreat, we ask that you leave your pets at home for this one. 
• Consideration: As this trip grows in the future in different directions, we hope that we can include our furry friends in the future!

The "Cool Humxn" Code of Conduct:

• Clean Up: This is non-negotiable. Whether in the woods or at a cabin camp, you must "Leave No Trace" and clean up after your pet immediately.
• Vibe Check: If your dog is prone to excessive barking or has high anxiety in groups, the "Takeover" or "BIG Camp" environments might be stressful for them (and your fellow campers).

Leash Laws: Even in the "wild," leashes are required to protect local wildlife and ensure all campers feel safe in the communal space.

Safety is our priority. Our facilitators, like Liam, are Standard First Aid and CPR certified and experienced in outdoor leadership. We curate intentional spaces where identity is respected.

• Respecting self-identification is a non-negotiable core value. We begin every trip and workshop with a round of introductions that include names and pronouns. We encourage everyone to use the names and pronouns shared in that space, regardless of what may be on a legal ID. If you make a mistake, we practice a "correct, apologize, and move on" culture to keep the focus on growth and respect.

We follow a community conduct agreement that prioritizes respectful communication. If a disagreement arises, we encourage "calling in" rather than "calling out." For more serious matters, our facilitators are trained in conflict resolution and mediation to ensure the space remains safe for everyone involved.

It depends on the event!

For BIG Queer Camp, basic camp accommodation is included and organized under the ticket sales. Shared bunk, camping, and RV tickets are sold per person. For the private cabins, pricing is based on Max. Occupancy and privacy.

We do our best to accommodate everyone! 

For the PEC Takeover, pricing is based on accommodation chosen and not per person.

Once again, please ensure to read each camp description.

While participants are generally responsible for their own transportation to access points (like Lake Opeongo or Sparrow Lake), we encourage community carpooling and will help facilitate a sign-up sheet! And through our pre-camp video calls. We are also working on shuttle services from Allandale GO Station in Barrie for our BIG camp! Stay tuned!

For our curated retreats and backcountry trips, we typically provide catered breakfasts and dinners. Participants are usually responsible for their own "trail fuel" (lunches and snacks). Specific details are posted under each Camp Event!

Yes, we can absolutely do our best! Our facilitators include nutritionists and trained chefs. We collect dietary information during the registration process to ensure our communal meals are safe and inclusive for everyone.

A Queer Camp experiences are designed to be immersive outdoor events that proceed rain or shine; we do not cancel due to poor weather conditions. Because the spirit of camp is about connecting with nature in all its forms, we ask that you check the local forecast and come fully prepared for the elements.

Weather Readiness & Safety

• Preparation: Whether it is the heat of the dunes in PEC or a drizzly morning in the Algonquin backcountry, having the right gear (waterproof layers, sun protection, and extra "cozies") ensures you stay comfortable.
• Emergency Protocol: In the backcountry, we carry a satellite phone to monitor for severe weather alerts or to contact emergency services if conditions become unsafe.

Community Care: We move at the pace of the group; if weather makes a specific excursion (like paddling Hailstorm Creek) risky, we will adjust our itinerary to focus on safe, shore-based community activities.

Generally, yes. But also, no. For most camps, you are responsible for your own "sleep system" (tent, sleeping bag, and pad) and a personal mess kit (bowl, mug, and cutlery) if you are camping out.
However, for most of our cabins and glamp sites, these will be provided. For Big Camp, you bring your sleep system, we take care of meals.

Each camp description will have details so we encourage you to read through the descriptions.

We always send an email and a packing-list before your registered camp! So keep an eye on your inbox about a month before camp!

As you prepare for your A Queer Camp adventure, here's a handy checklist of essentials to ensure you have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable experience:

1. Roof: Where are you sleeping? For Algonquin you need TENTS only!! Include your beds and bedding.
2. Clothing: Pack appropriate clothing for the weather conditions, including layers for cooler evenings and comfortable attire for outdoor activities. Think of RAIN! Add extra socks and towels.
3. Personal Items: Don't forget essentials such as toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent, and any necessary medications.
4. Camp Gear: Bring any camping gear you'll need, flashlights, chairs, blankets, lighters, fire starters, extra towels and cloths. Tarps and coolers.
5. Food and Cooking Supplies: This also depends on which camp you are attending. Please ensure you read the details of PEC, Algonquin, and BIG CAMP at Sparrow Lake to answer this questions specifically!
6. Water: PEC and Sparrow Lake will have potable water. For our Algonquin Canoe Trip, there will be a water filtration device available and more details will be provided during our Prep-Call!
7. Outdoor Gear: Depending on your planned activities, bring appropriate outdoor gear such as hiking boots, swimwear, hiking poles, and fishing equipment.
8. Entertainment: Bring along items for entertainment during downtime, such as books, board games, musical instruments, or a deck of cards (at you own discretion... whatever you feel will help make your weekend more enjoyable).
9. First Aid Kit: Pack a basic first aid kit with essentials such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any personal medications. Our Algonquin trip leaders are First-Aid certified and we will have a bigger First-Aid kit available. For our Big Camp at Sparrow Lake, we will have two medics on site in case of emergencies.
10. Miscellaneous: Consider additional items that may enhance your camping experience, such as a camera for capturing memories, binoculars for birdwatching, or a portable phone charger.

By ensuring you have these essentials packed and ready to go, you'll be well-prepared for a memorable and enjoyable camping adventure!

All sales are FINAL - There will be NO refunds or exchanges. We simply do not have capacity to organize the changes that cancellations cause. Hidden costs - venue fees, rental fees, insurance.

We limit our tickets and capacity to preserve the magic for this intimate gathering - please purchase your tickets soon to avoid disappointment. 

• The answer is "Yes, and..." At A Queer Camp, we love a crisp Stock & Row cider around the campfire as much as the next camper, but we prioritize a culture of community care and safety.
  * Please note, NO GLASS BOTTLES are permitted at Algonquin OR Sparrow Lake.

Here is how we stay "cool, responsible humans" together:

• The "And" (Safety First): We have a zero-tolerance policy for high-risk behaviour. This means don't drink and drive, don't swim while intoxicated, and never wander off into the woods or water without using the buddy system.
• The "And" (Respectful Conduct): In line with our community agreements, all conduct must remain respectful and focused on the well-being of the group. If your drinking affects the "positive and supportive environment" we strive to foster for all campers, including families and children, you may be asked to step away from communal areas.
• Backcountry Note: If you are joining us for the Algonquin Backcountry, remember that you have to carry everything you bring! Glass bottles are NOT permitted in the backcountry, so we strongly recommend lightweight cans or reusable containers.

Final Vibe Check: We are here to celebrate queer joy and relaxation. Enjoy your drinks responsibly, look out for your campmates, and help us keep the "Leave No Trace" spirit alive, both for our trash and our behaviour. 

Pay it Forward is an opportunity for us to collect financial support for the campers that are struggling to get to camp! We have a list of campers that have reached over the last year, as donations come in we contact campers on the list! Last year this option helped get 13 campers to camp! Predominately but not limited to our young trans sisters and brothers.

Anything is appreciated.

IF you are needing PIF support to attend camp please complete the registration link here

For our trip to Algonquin, we are offering a priority waitlist. This small fee acts as a donation to our small grassroots community, which helps us expand our capacity for future seasons. The waitlist functions on a first-come-first-serve basis and the donation amount will be taken off the final fee for this trip. If you are emailed about a waitlist spot, you will have 24 hours to confirm attendance until we move on down the list. Spots are only for 1 person at a time.

Address: 27 McKnight Ln, Bloomfield, ON K0K 1G0

Approximate Drive Times:

• From Toronto: 2.5 – 3 hours
• From Niagara: 3.5 – 4 hours
• From Kingston: 1 hour
• From Ottawa: 2.5 hours
• From London/Tri-Cities: 4 – 4.5 hours

Route Details:

• From the West (Toronto/Niagara/London): Take Hwy 401 East. Exit at Wooler Rd (Exit 522) toward Trenton/Picton. Follow Hwy 33 (Loyalist Pkwy) south into the County.
• From the East (Kingston/Ottawa): From Kingston, take Hwy 33 West (includes a free 15-minute ferry ride) or Hwy 401 West to Hwy 49 South. From Ottawa, take Hwy 416 South to Hwy 401 West, then exit Hwy 49 toward Picton.

Approximate Drive Times:

• From Toronto: 3.5 – 4 hours
• From Niagara: 4.5 – 5.5 hours
• From Kingston: 3 hours
• From Ottawa: 2.5 – 3 hours
• From London/Tri-Cities: 5 – 6 hours

Route Details:

• From the West (Toronto/Niagara/London): Take Hwy 400 North to Hwy 11 North (Huntsville). Exit at Hwy 60 East. Drive through the Park’s West Gate. Turn left onto Opeongo Rd at km 46.3.
• From the East (Kingston/Ottawa): From Ottawa, take Hwy 60 West through Whitney and the Park’s East Gate. Turn right onto Opeongo Rd approximately 10km past the East Gate.

Address :1437 United Church Camp Ln, Severn Bridge, ON P0E 1N0
Located near Orillia/Severn Bridge, ON.

Approximate Drive Times:

• From Toronto: 1.5 – 2 hours
• From Niagara Area: 2.5 – 3 hours
• From London / Tri-Cities: 3 – 3.5 hours
• From Kingston: 3.5 – 4 hours
• From Ottawa: 4.5 – 5 hours

Route Details

From the South (Toronto, Niagara, London, Kitchener-Waterloo):

1. Take Hwy 400 North toward Barrie.
2. Follow the split for Hwy 11 North (toward Orillia/North Bay).
3. Continue on Hwy 11 North past Orillia.
4. Exit at South Sparrow Lake Road (just past the Severn River bridge).
5. Follow South Sparrow Lake Road for approximately 10–15 minutes. Follow the local signs for the camp entrance.

From the East (Kingston, Ottawa, Peterborough):

1. Take Hwy 401 West to Hwy 12 North (Whitby/Oshawa exit).
2. Follow Hwy 12 North through Beaverton and toward Orillia.
3. Merge onto Hwy 11 North toward North Bay.
4. Exit at South Sparrow Lake Road and follow the local signs to the camp.

Pro-Tips for Arrival

• GPS Note: Set your GPS to the specific address provided in your Confirmation Email. Some GPS units may try to take you to the "North" side of the lake, which does not have road access to the camp!
• Service: Cell reception is generally reliable in this area, but it’s always a good idea to have your final turn-by-turn directions saved offline.