Odds and Ends

The Ten Oaks Project brings our values and ways of working with and for youth to the community in various ways. While our focus in currently on growing our camp program, from time to time, we collaborate with other like-minded organizations and work to raise awareness of the children and youth of the LGBTQ community. Here is a sample of some of this work.

Queer Parenting Collection

In 2008, Demeter Press will be publishing a collection on Queer Parenting edited by Rachel Epstein. The Ten Oaks Project submitted a proposal which was accepted.  Over the summer of 2007, we will be interviewing campers, parents and project supporters about their experiences with Camp Ten Oaks and what it is like to grow up in an LGBTTQ-headed household in Canada today.

I am Safe 2007 Conference

I am Safe, the third international Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa conference on bullying and victimization was held in Ottawa April 3-4, 2007. The Ten Oaks Project coordinated a plenary session at the conference, entitled "That's so Gay!" - Speaking Out About Homophobic Bullying and Harassment.

Bringing together the voices of youth, community workers, educators and parents, this session aimed to help break the silence surrounding homophobic bullying and harassment in both urban and rural environments. The panel explored options to help promote safe schools and communities that foster healthy youth development for LGBTTQ youth, children of LGBTTQ families, those who are perceived to be LGBTTQ, and bystanders of homophobic bullying.

74th Annual Conference of the Ontario Camping Association

At the 2006 Ontario Camping Association (OCA) conference, we delivered a workshop entitled, “Tips and Tools for Working Effectively with LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Two-Spirit and Queer) Youth at Camp.” Members of the Camp Ten Oaks staff team worked with senior staff members of other camps to help identify the needs of LGBTQ youth and share suggestions and strategies for ensuring an inclusive camp environment.