words about camp…

Camp Freedom is a self directed community of BIPOC folks ages 5-14 and a few adult co-conspirators. For a few years now, equipped with a $100/week budget and a bus/van, we have gotten into some great adventures and built long-term friendships. Sometimes things can get hard as we do not always agree and we have to work through conflict and figure out how we are going to make decisions together, take care of each other and keep the culture of the space we all deserve. We are an intentionally inclusive community so we actively learn and practice what we offer our community and what we ask of our community. Most importantly, we have fun and live into our best liberated selves.

Camp Freedom started out with some of our Abundant Summers campers “aging out” of the program and were looking for what's next – this is the program they co-created. It is deeply liberatory to let kids just be and to honor what they are capable of. Also, because of the community we are building, this is a space for kids who have not been accepted or successful in traditional camp spaces, whether because camp is kinda racist, spaces aren’t able to see and hold our full gender-fabulous selves, or some just think we are “too much”. Camp Freedom is a place where we are all accepted and seen.

Usually, camp runs all summer. This year, Mama Shayna (they/she) & Babi Atha (they/he) are going to hold 4 weeks of Camp Freedom in between other projects! Depending on the ages and size of the group, we may split into an older and younger crew.

Base camp this summer will be at Defremery Park in Oakland. It's very important that campers are dropped off between 8:30-9:15 am so we can plan and go off for the day. Pickup is 3:30 pm back at Defremery. 

We are very ready to live in a post-capitalist world but since we are not there yet, camp does have a sliding scale fee. We suggest between $200-800 a week, which covers the gas, cost of the adventures, and our adults’ time who need to pay bills and buy food in this hella expensive Bay Area. We are looking to get a grant to fund this camp ongoing so it is accessible to everyone -- so if you know any foundations or folks who would want to fund this important liberation work please let us know!!

If you have questions, text Mama Shayna if you have the # or email at CampFreedom@abundantbeginnings.org.