Frequently Asked Questions

Gender Inclusion

Why include a section about gender inclusion?

Our primary motivation at our Jr. Summer Theatre Camps is to provide an excellent summer camp experience for all kids, and especially those who may not feel welcome at other camps. We’ve always welcomed anyone who wants to join us, but recognize we may be alienating some campers by reinforcing social norms related to the binary idea of genders--that all people are either males or females. Among biologists, social anthropologists, and sociologists, there is a growing consensus that gender identity exists along a spectrum and, sometimes, individuals may change. Alienation of trans youth and other non-binary campers can be overt, like bullying (for which we have zero tolerance), but it can also be unintentional in common situations like room assignments, pronoun use, bathroom designations, and campers' groupings of boys and girls for activities. We feel it is important for us to address this issue and set an example, making sure that all campers feel welcome, respected, and safe at our camp and within our community.

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Will campers change in front of each other?

What you may not know is that most kids are pretty modest and have been changing in private or under their covers already at camp for years.  We don’t expect this to present problems at camp, and we’ll rely on the respect, modesty, and civility of campers and examples set by staff to rule the day.

What about pronouns?

Camp staff will respect the pronouns the campers choose for themselves. Our staff will do their best to use them and model to the other campers what it looks like to treat people with respect. Campers and staff who intentionally use the wrong pronouns to antagonize others will be considered bullies. Bullying of any kind is not tolerated and will be addressed by camp leadership.

What about... everything else?

In our 10 years of experience, we have well-tested practices that deal with all sorts of behaviors and contingencies that might arise at a summer camp for children and teenagers. We address things like bullying, inappropriate behaviors, camp romances, social awkwardness, special needs, and anything else you can imagine might happen at summer camp as a matter of policy and practice, and don’t expect that being inclusive of non-binary campers will affect any of our best practices.

​If you have more questions about gender inclusion, please send them to Deb Workman, Artistic Director of Jr. Camps. deb@blackhillsplayhouse.com