If you identify as a trans person of color (over 18 years old), join us September 27th to October 1st, 2023, in our safe, affirming, and healing campground in the Ozark Mountains, near Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Apply below by Friday, June 30th, to connect with our team and receive more information about this exciting adventure.
THIS YEAR’S LIBERATION CAMP IS IN PARTNERSHIP & WITH THE SUPPORT OF
GROWING OUR POWER
Transformations is a trans, women of color-led nonprofit organization focused on capacity building and leadership development among trans communities of color.
Built off the success of our 2021 trans-BIPOC writer's retreat, we are hosting our inaugural Liberation Camp: Growing our Power, September 27th to October 1st, 2023, at a private retreat in Arkansas.
This exciting, weeklong event is organized exclusively for trans-BIPOC leaders, offering a unique opportunity to participate in leadership and skill-building workshops, intergenerational conversations, mentorship models, fun outdoor activities, and engaging breakout sessions.
Liberation Camp catalyzes powerful networking and skill building for the trans-BIPOC community. We prioritize the attendance of trans leaders working with trans youth and trans women of color, as many in these communities have few opportunities to connect and learn about themselves in safe, affirming spaces.
OUR 2022 PRESENTING SPONSORS
OUR 2022 COMMUNITY SPONSORS
We are still procuring funding for our 2023 Liberation Camp. If you’d like to learn more about becoming a sponsor, connect with our team.
WHY NOW?
Two years ago, we first attempted to create a sanctuary in the Ozarks for the trans-BIPOC community at a writer’s retreat hosted through Joss Barton’s “Cicadas & Coneflowers” program, where a small group, primarily trans women of color, gathered for four days of self-improvement, writing, and collective organizing.
Our retreat space in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, was exciting and scary for many of us - since the Ozarks have not often been a safe place for the trans community to thrive. Still, we found happiness and connection in nature. We laughed, we connected, we cried, we hiked, we ate, we danced, and we healed.
Before this retreat, many attendees didn’t think of themselves as writers, leaders, or organizers. Through this experience, we realized that our very existence being vocal, visible mentors to others, along with our various connections to resources and community, moved us prominently into these roles.
A sense of communal confidence and consciousness grew. We knew we had to do this again, but this time, more intentionally around the concept of leadership. Hence, Liberation Camp was born!
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Many transgender women of color learn about themselves online, including tips on transitioning and connecting with their community. While self-awareness starts early, they are often not allowed to begin their transitional journeys until later in adolescence due to outside barriers and the risk of violence.
Kansas City is at the epicenter of horrific violence facing trans women of color in this country. Throughout the Midwest, many trans youths are kicked out of their homes or disowned. As a result, they must maintain financial independence from family, navigate the street economy and survival work to stay alive, and are at much higher risk of experiencing violence from the various systems established to protect them.
We endeavor for Liberation Camp to foster positive, affirming experiences for our attendees, serving as a foundation for future public-facing educational campaigns.
CAMPER EXPERIENCE
All accepted campers will stay in the main cabin, which sleeps (12) twelve campers in four private bedrooms.
Room and roommate assignments will be determined and sent out to all campers once all invited participants have accepted their invitation to attend.
The cabin features 5.5 bathrooms, a large modern kitchen, an ample dining area, a recreation room, a wellness room, a meeting room, and several comfortably decorated common rooms. Large windows cover the back of the house, allowing for expansive views.
Select counseling staff will reside on-premises with campers while remaining counselors and support staff will lodge in a separate building nearby. All meals will be provided on-site and prepared by camp leadership during the retreat.
*Airfare reimbursement is provided on a case-by-case basis.
PROGRAMMING
Much of our programming will be in the main cabin, secluded on a lake. Programming includes:
Merit Badge Earning, Skill Building Activities
Trans Leadership & Organizing
Writing Prompts & Exercises
Group Hikes
Trauma-Informed Story Sharing
Campfires & Ghost Stories
Camp Talent Show
Final Night Grill Out & Social
Trans-BIPOC communities are exceptionally creative and resilient. The talents and interests of our camp leadership team will help guide various aspects of Liberation Camp, along with the unique contributions of our attending campers.
All attendees will share or help lead in some capacity, which helps make this experience special.
*Aspects of our programming will be finalized once all campers are officially accepted and confirmed.*
APPLICATION PROCESS
We created a low-barrier application for Liberation Camp that centers on racial and economic justice.
This year, we have (12) twelve spots to offer. We will prioritize applications from trans women of color and trans femmes of color (18 and over) in the Midwest and Ozark regions. We also have an interest in centering trans and nonbinary BIPOC leaders who are working directly with trans young people and/or trans women of color in our communities.
This year’s applicants will be reviewed and selected by our camp counselors. You can learn more about our team on the Leadership tab.
*We will notify all applicants of our decision by July 30th.
