The Story School Summer Camp
- Coed
- Specialty
Camp Brave Trails NY
- Coed
- Ages 12-17
- Specialty, Traditional
Primarily serves a specific population: LGBTQ+
Overview
At Brave Trails, we believe leadership comes in many forms and were here to help LGBTQ+ youth discover what theirs looks like. Brave Trails is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth leadership, community building, and mental health. Our sleepaway camps are a vibrant celebration of queer joy, identity, and possibility. Each summer, we create affirming, intentional spaces where campers can be their fullest selves, build lifelong friendships, and grow as leaders in their communities.
Our New York session is nestled in the mountains just 90 minutes north of New York City. This serene location features rolling green hills, forested trails, and peaceful lakefront viewsproviding a perfect backdrop for reflection, fun, and connection. Open to LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-17, Brave Trails New York blends all the classic camp like magic campfires, cabin bonding, songs, swimming, and more with workshops and programs designed to support self-discovery and personal growth.
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Specialty camp focus: LGBTQ+, Leadership
Case-by-case support for campers with: ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Sensory, Hearing Impairment, Social-Emotional Needs, Food Allergies
Unique Features
- Queer-Centered Leadership: Campers grow as leaders through workshops that turn passions into action—designed specifically with LGBTQ+ youth in mind.
- Gender-Affirming Spaces: All-gender cabins, flexible dress codes, and affirming staff create a space where campers can safely and fully be themselves.
- Identity-Based Affinity Groups: Optional identity groups offer safe spaces for connection, healing, joy, and shared experiences with peers who just get it.
- Traditional Camp, Queer Twist: Campers enjoy classic camp fun—like archery and campfires—while also diving into LGBTQ+ history, identity, and community.
- Financial Aid Access: We offer over $130K in financial aid each year, covering up to 95% of tuition to ensure camp is accessible to LGBTQ+ youth from all backgrounds.
Activities
Dates & Rates
2025 Season:
- Camp Season August 14 - August 22
- Session Lengths 1.5 weeks
- Cost $125 - $2,500 /week
Financial Offers:
- Tiered/sliding scale tutition: No
- Financial assistance: Yes
- Special discounts: Available
Accommodations
Bunks
- Type: Cabins, Dorm Or Hotel
- Not open air
- Electricity/lights
- Air conditioning
- No separate bathhouse
- Showers attached
- Toilets attached
Health
- Staff certified in First Aid / CPR
- No doctor onsite
- Nurse onsite
- 24/7 medical staff
- Health Center
Dietary Needs
- Food Allergies
- Gluten Free
- No kosher
- Peanut-free
- Not tree nut-free
- Vegan friendly
- Vegetarian friendly
International Campers
- Enrolls non-US campers
- 7 countries have attended
Welcome Message
Jessica, Co-Founder & Executive Director
At Camp Brave Trails, we believe that every young person deserves a space where they feel seen, celebrated, and empowered just as they are. For LGBTQ+ youth, that space can sometimes feel hard to find and thats why Brave Trails exists.
Were not just a camp. Were a home, a community, and a launchpad for the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders. If you're looking for a camp where your child will be safe and supported, we cant wait to welcome you to the Brave Trails family.
Ready to take the next step?
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