Midsummer LGBTQ+ Family + Teen Campout: New England
August 1-2, 2025
We can’t get enough of this tried-and-true, beloved gathering, so we’re going big in 2026! This year, The Venture Out Project is hosting not one, not two, but THREE LGBTQ+ Family Camps.
Our Midsummer LGBTQ+ Family Camp comes with a brand-new offering: an introductory, independent group camping experience for LGBTQ+ teens.
Participants who are interested will have the opportunity during registration to sign up for our Teen Campout section. While we host our Family Campouts knowing the value of time spent all together as a family, we also understand that for teens, time spent in relaxing yet educational affinity outdoor space can be a rare treat. Teen Camp participants will have the flexibility to divide their time as makes sense to them and their family, hanging out with the larger Family Camp community and opting into special scheduled activities that will be facilitated by a dedicated TVOP staff member especially for their group throughout the weekend. Activities may include fire-crafting, plant identification, water purification, or Leave No Trace education based on group interests, as well as hiking locally. Teens who choose to participate will learn the basics of camping from tent setup to camp cooking, have a chance to share their outdoor skills, enjoy low-key group games and conversation, and fall asleep under the stars in a welcoming peer space.
For everyone else, Midsummer Family Camp is another spectacular opportunity to meet other families like yours, make friends, share stories, and have some good old-fashioned fun. Join us for a full weekend of camping, group meals, games, day hikes and activities, and a huge fire pit each night. There will be structured and informal activities, swimming, hiking, endless play, grilling, connecting with other families, sleeping under the stars, s'mores, and so much more!
A few more details…
These special events are open to anyone in our community who identifies as LGBTQ+ and their LGBTQ+ or allied family members. We define an LGBTQ+ Family as a family where any member of the family (adult or child) identifies as LGBTQ+. And you define who “family” is to you: this weekend is for any and all members of your family - kids, parents, grandparents, care-givers, and chosen family.
While this is a camping event, in an effort to make this event accessible to more families, we have a limited number of indoor rooms available to rent at an additional cost. Indoor space is limited and is first come, first served. During registration, you’ll have the chance to denote interest in tent camping or renting an indoor space. Once your family is signed up, we will contact you about how to book these accommodations.
For safety and space purposes, we do not allow any vans, campers, or rooftop tents. We keep the parking lot and the campground separate. There will be staff members available to help transport your gear to and from your campsite!
*We recognize that for some adults, having a beer or glass of wine around the campfire is part of the fun. To that end, Family Camp is not a substance free event. However we do ask that if people choose to have a drink at night, they do so responsibly and respectfully. Due to insurance and VT state laws, folks are not allowed to BYOB. Adults with valid ID will have the option to purchase wine or beer on site.
*We are flexible with the ages of Teen Camp participants, and are happy to chat with you/your teen if you have questions about whether the Teen Campout section of this event would be a good fit.
GENERAL INFO
Location: Basecamp at Beaver Falls, Halifax, VT (Wabanaki and Elnu Abenaki Lands)
Start Date: August 1, 2026
End Date: August 2, 2026
Cost: Sliding Scale $75 - $175/person (for camping*). Participants 4 years of age and under are $1.
*Indoor rooms can be reserved at an additional cost. To find out where you fall best in our sliding scale, see the “Why does this trip cost money?” dropdown below.
Includes: Lunch on Saturday through lunch on Sunday, activities, supplies, campsites, and all Basecamp amenities
Doesn't Include: Transportation to Basecamp, personal items, clothing, boots, toiletries, childcare, or flights
*Please be sure to register every member of your family individually and choose a payment amount for each. To register multiple participants, select the "Add another Participant" option during the registration process.
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In order for Venture Out to remain financially viable and sustainable, we have had to increase our prices to account for the increased expenses we are incurring as well as the corporate pullback around DEI support and initiatives. Our priority will always be to keep our trips and experiences as affordable as possible. At the same time, our goal is also to remain self-sustaining so that we can continue to serve our community for at least another 10 years. We are doing everything we can to continue to keep our prices low and we appreciate your understanding of our pricing so that we can continue to flourish as an organization with a queer staff.
We offer a sliding scale:
Our sliding scale is meant to make our trips and events more accessible for those who experience financial barriers, are looking for reparations pricing, and/or have high travel expenses. Paying a higher amount allows us to provide more opportunities to others. Paying a smaller amount is recommended for those who would not otherwise be able to afford the estimated value. Please choose an amount that you will be able to pay, but will not hinder your ability to afford food, housing, etc. By paying as much as you can, we are able to serve more of our community members.
Our sliding scale recommendation:
- Low: Yearly income $30,000 or under, struggles to meet basic needs
- Mid (pays estimated value): Yearly income $40,000-$75,000, some expendable income
- High: Yearly income $80,000-$100,000, comfortable, never struggle with basic needs
Need more examples? We follow the Green Bottle principle. Click here to view and find out where you fall.
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Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.
