2. Transgender / Gender Nonconforming Youth & Staff at Camp Rosenbaum

2.01  How does Camp Rosenbaum ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all campers to include transgender and nonconforming youth?

Camp Rosenbaum staff and board members are committed to creating a fun and learning environment conductive to the overall development and social emotional health and well-being of all our campers. Gender nonconforming campers often experience discrimination, harassment and implicit bias at school and in their lives. These experiences can send campers the message that they do not belong. At Camp Rosenbaum, we make it clear: All campers DO belong and are welcome!

2.02  What is the definition of gender identity and gender expression?

• Gender Identity: A person’s deeply held sense of their own gender, regardless of the sex they were assigned at birth. Everyone has a gender identity.
• Gender Expression: The way a person expresses gender, such as clothing, hairstyles, activities, or mannerisms.

2.03  What is the definition of transgender and gender nonconforming youth?

• Gender Nonconforming: Describes people whose gender expression differs from stereotypical expectations, such as “feminine” boys, “masculine” girls.
• Transgender: Transgender or trans* are umbrella terms referring to all of the diverse identities in the gender spectrum. For transgender individuals, their gender identity (the gender they experience themselves to be) does not match what society expects based on the sex category to which they were assigned at birth. Other transgender individuals have gender identities that they cannot accurately describe as either male or female and present an ambiguous or fluid gender presentation. The asterisk (*) in trans* represents one common root word for an infinitely diverse variety of identities.

2.04  What is the definition of transgender boy and transgender girl?

• Transgender Boy (Female-to-Male/FTM): A camper who was assigned the female sex at birth, but identifies as a boy and uses/prefers masculine pronouns.
• Transgender Girl (Male-to-Female/MTF): A camper who was assigned the male sex at birth, but identifies as a girl and uses/prefers feminine pronouns.

2.05  What is the definition of transgender transition?

Transition: The personal process a transgendered individual who begins to live as their self-identified gender. This may include some or all of the following cultural, legal, and medical adjustments: telling one’s family, friends, and/or classmates; changing one’s style of dress; changing one’s name and/or sex on legal documents; hormone therapy; and possibly (though not always) some form of surgical procedure.

2.06  If my child is gender nonconforming or transgender, what group will they be in?

At Camp Rosenbaum, we support a camper’s right to use a facility corresponding with their gender identity as consistently expressed or to have access to a private or single use facility. Campers that identify as male will be placed in male bays and campers that identify as female will be placed in female bays. Parents are encouraged to communicate with the Program Director and Camp Rosenbaum staff if they have specific concerns about cabin assignments. If your child’s gender is nonconforming, we welcome you to speak with your child as to which group that they would feel most comfortable in.

2.07  Will my child have a transgender or gender nonconforming camp counselor?

Maybe. Counselors are asked to identify as male, female, or transgender/non-binary. If a counselor who is transgender identifies as male, he will lead a male camper’s bay and be placed in male group. If a counselor who is transgender identifies as female, she will lead female camper’s bay and be placed in a female group. If the counselor identifies as non-binary or gender fluid, they will be placed in the corresponding group that they feel most comfortable leading. Even thought campers are placed in male or female bays for sleeping arrangements, during the day, campers are mixed together during activities and lead by their group’s counselors and group leaders, comprised of male, female, or transgender/non-binary.

2.08  If my child is gender nonconforming or transgender, what bathroom will they use?

At Camp Rosenbaum, we support a camper’s right to use a facility corresponding with their gender identity as consistently expressed or to have access to a private or single use facility.  Campers that identify as male may use male designated bathrooms, and campers that identify as female may use female designated bathrooms. Staff and counselors that identify as male may use male designated bathrooms, and staff and counselors that identify as female may use female designated bathrooms. Single stall bathrooms are also available to any camper or staff member who desires increased privacy.

2.09  If my child is gender nonconforming or transgender, where will they change clothes and where will they shower?

At Camp Rosenbaum, we support a camper’s right to privacy and have established private dressing areas within the bays since campers typically change clothes in their bays and shower in the bathrooms in the barracks. Campers that identify as male may use male designated bays and bathrooms for changing and showering, and campers that identify as female may use female designated bays and bathrooms for changing and showering. If a camper desires increased privacy for any reason, Camp Rosenbaum staff will work with the camper to address this need.

Some privacy options that we provide include:

• Use of a private area in a bathroom (e.g., a bathroom stall with a door, an area separated by a curtain)
• A separate changing and bathing schedule (e.g., using the bathroom and changing areas before or after the other students)
• Use of a nearby private space (e.g., nurse’s office)

2.10  Is it possible that my child will be placed in a bay with a gender nonconforming or transgender camper?

Yes. At Camp Rosenbaum, we respect the gender identity asserted by the camper. For example, a camper who was assigned a male gender at birth, and identifies as female, will be placed in a girl’s bay.  A camper who was assigned a female gender at birth, and identifies as male, will be placed in a boy’s bay.

2.11  Does Camp Rosenbaum know if a camper is transgender?

Not all the time. The camper application asks what gender the camper identifies as to help assist in group placement; however, families are not required to tell Camp Rosenbaum if the camper identifies as transgender. Camp Rosenbaum will only know if a camper is gender nonconforming or transgender if the camper or the camper’s parent provides that information. If a camper or camper’s parent chooses to share that information with Camp Rosenbaum, the organization will keep it confidential.

2.12  Will Camp Rosenbaum share confidential information about a camper’s gender identity or transgender status?

No. Campers are not required to tell Camp Rosenbaum their gender identity or transgender status. Even if a camper shares their gender identity or transgender status with Camp Rosenbaum, our organization is not allowed to divulge this information due to privacy laws.

2.13  Will my child be taught about gender identity or transgender youth at Camp Rosenbaum?

No. The topic of transgender and gender nonconformity is not a class nor area of instruction at Camp Rosenbaum; however, the topic is prevalent in the community and the news. Children may be curious about what they are hearing on the radio, watching on television, or finding on the internet. Children may also receive information from another child who is gender nonconforming or transgender. Children will naturally ask their friends, siblings, parents, teachers, and Camp Rosenbaum staff about this topic. Camp Rosenbaum staff will always create an environment that supports children asking questions.

2.14  Do Camp Rosenbaum staff have training to support gender nonconforming and transgender youth?

Yes. All Camp Rosenbaum staff receive training upon arrival to support gender nonconforming and transgender youth. This training is designed to provide basic direction for staff. It will not cover every situation that arises. The intent is to provide immediate guidance for staff to create a fun, safe and nurturing environment for all campers and to provide staff with awareness of best practices to address situations as they arise.