Workshops and Consulting - Ten Oaks Project

workshops and consulting

Ten Oaks Project has been Canada’s leader in camp programs for children and youth from 2SLGBTQ+ identities, families and communities for 20 years this year. That’s a lot of intentional magic! The lessons our organization has gained in two decades of providing a safer space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth communities are invaluable. It’s our absolute pleasure to share the expertise we’ve gained with anyone looking to be part of the future of inclusive camp programs, build meaningful support for 2SLGBTQ+ communities, or expand their organization’s cultural competency around and capacity to address concerns unique to 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

Camp Ten Oaks was Canada’s first – and, for most of its history, only – camp of its kind: an overnight program offering up all the magic of summer camp with all the considerations necessary to create a welcoming space for children of 2SLGBTQ+ families, also known as queerspawn. Since then, Camp Ten Oaks has expanded to include children and youth from identities all their own, all across the rainbow of sexuality and gender identity. What’s more, our Camp Lifting Leaves program (est. 2018) has increased our reach to youth from these identities that are involved with a children’s aid service or Indigenous wellbeing agency, opening our eyes to all the wonderful possibilities of collaborating with these amazing populations and their workers.

Over the last 20 years, Ten Oaks Project has become our nation’s expert organization in successfully attending to all the unique needs of the diverse and far-reaching communities we serve from sea to sea.

tailored to suit your needs

The Ten Oaks Project team has always had an absolute passion for creating a more 2SLGBTQ+-positive world. Having years of slow-and-steady improvement, trial and error and big wins, we understand that doing so in different milieus and at different organizations is never a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why we offer customized workshops and consulting services to each of our collaborators, created to fit the needs of your organization.

Workshops

We’ll meet you where you’re at. The Ten Oaks Project team can customize our workshops depending on the audience, the desired length and time frame, your goals, and where you’re at in reaching them.

Here is a sample of some workshops we have offered in the past:

  • Creating Intentional Magic for 2SLGBTQ+ Youth at Camp: A general workshop of all of our best tips to create a safe, inclusive and fun environment for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Learn about some of the strategies we use to ensure that all of our youth can have the best possible experience at camp, all while being themselves.
  • Introduction to Gender and Sexual Diversity at Camp: All-gender housing? Gender neutral bathrooms? Wait – all-gender shower time? Learn how we manage all of these logistical pieces, as well as how we communicate these solutions to parents, at every host site we use. What’s more, learn how your administrative processes can be as inclusive as possible to diverse gender and sexual identities: what are you asking on those intake forms, and how are you asking it? Learn how to nail these essential contributions to a supportive camp environment.

Our team will be happy to work with you on any of the topics that have your organization stuck, or to help you identify where your organization may have room to grow. Take a look at our consulting topics below for even more ideas around how we can collaborate, and don’t hesitate to contact us with the information below with any questions.

Consulting

Wanting a more personalized, in-depth service? The Ten Oaks Project team also offers consultation services to go even deeper into your organization than a workshop can. Our consultations may be especially useful if you’re developing a new program or expanding an existing one, increasing the scope of your organization, or are just ready to take on the immense and well-worthwhile dedication to ensuring your camps are as inclusive as they can be for children from a wider range of diverse backgrounds and identities.

Here is a sample of topics we are more than happy to assist you with:

  • Increasing capacity for 2SLGBTQ+ Children, Youth and Staff: It’s no secret that supporting 2SLGBTQ+ communities is about more than bathroom stalls. How can we be sure the physical and mental health and general wellness of our campers and teams are met while keeping the spirit of our missions and visions alive? Our team will learn about the structure of your camp or organization and, using our longstanding Ten Oaks expertise, work with you to develop programs, structures, policies, procedures, and/or strategies that will send you on your way to meeting all the unique needs of this population.
  • 2SLGBTQ+ Camps and Programs in a Climate of Rising Hate: Culturally, politically, and legislatively, it’s a hard time to be 2SLGBTQ+ (or a girl or woman!) in North America – especially as a young person. From schools to social media, our children and youth are experiencing huge amounts of hate from their peers and adults alike. For some, camp programs like Camp Ten Oaks are their only reprieve; but none of our programs exist in a vacuum. Our team will work with your camp or organization to investigate what your team can do to better address the context of rising hate we are all working in today, from participants to staff.

We believe knowledge sharing is the spice of collaboration. We’ll work with you to ensure you can get the most out of a consultation with Ten Oaks Project.

Location

We love connecting face-to-face! Our team is available for in-person workshops in Ottawa, as well as Toronto and Montreal with a bit more notice. We are happy to discuss travel to other locations depending on the needs of your organization.

Workshops and consultations may also be offered online or by phone.

Fees

As each workshop or consultation process is a little different, we’ll work with you to establish a work plan and budget that suits your needs. Our team will be happy to put together a proposal based on what your organization is looking for ahead of the workshop development or consultation process.

If you are a smaller non-profit organization, we are happy to offer lower pay-what-you-can rates for our workshops or capacity-building consultations if they will help your organization to develop or continue to provide services to your community. Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Book | Connect with ten Oaks

To book, schedule a chat to find out more, or to ask any questions you may have:

Contact our Executive Director, Kymani, at [email protected] with subject “Workshops and Consulting”, or at (613) 889-1537.

We’ll be back to you as soon as possible.