ELCA camp experiences support gay youth
Recent teen and young adult suicides in New Jersey, Minnesota and Ohio brought the issue of bullying to the forefront and led to the "It Gets Better" video campaign. ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and other Lutherans contributed videos, promising youth and young adults who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender that they have a place in the church and urging them to not give up.GLBT youth are also supported by programs at ELCA congregations and at least three camps. The camp experiences are led by ELCA members and all three rent space from ELCA camps.
Started nine years ago in Minneapolis, The Naming Project is a drop-in program and summer camp. It was featured in the 2006 documentary Camp Out, and on the March 8 Our America episode hosted by Lisa Ling (The Oprah Winfrey Network). The camp, held July 24-29 this year on Bay Lake Camp, Deerwood, Minn., draws youth from across the country.
Wonderfully Made started after Camp Out was shown at the Philadelphia film festival and viewed by Claire Burkat, bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, and youth ministry specialist Molly Beck Dean. It will be held April 8-10 at Bear Creek Camp, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
The Spiritual Pride Project in Austin, Texas, began after a mother discovered there were no camps in the southern U.S. where her child's sexuality would be respected. In addition to offering a variety of resources, its spring retreat is April 1-3 at Lutherhill in LaGrange, Texas.
Two additional ministries that serve gay and lesbian youth throughout the year are The Lighthouse, Minnetonka, Minn., and the Louisville [Ky.] Youth Group.
The Lighthouse is a youth group that draws from more than eight high schools in the western suburbs of Minneapolis. It meets once a week at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minnetonka. Louisville Youth Group, housed at First Lutheran Church, hosts Friday night programs and provides mentoring and leadership training.
