Camp fYrefly

Camp fYrefly is a five-day overnight camp. It’s a space of fun, excitement, curiosity and thoughtfulness. It is also a space for reflection and exploration of identity.

Sometimes we will find ourselves in a quiet sharing circle, and other times in a noisy lodge full of people. There are opportunities to have deep chats about identity in workshops and to sing songs around a campfire. You might discover new things about yourself and the people around you, and many campers leave camp with new friendships!

This is an outdoorsy camp with bunk beds and shared rooms. A team of staff and volunteers will be there to support you over the five days if you have questions or need help.

Limited Space

Each year we receive many more applications than spaces available for campers. As a result, each application is read by at least three separate reviewers who independently consider each application. Applications are reviewed for completeness, goals and needs, depth of response to the application questions and previous personal experiences.

After the applications are reviewed, the Camp Coordinators will meet with the reviewers and make final participant selection decisions. Camp fYrefly is committed to diversity and representation within our camper and volunteer groups. We especially welcome applications from queer individuals of colour, Two-Spirit and/or Indigenous people, people with disabilities and gender-diverse individuals.

Camp Cost

The cost to attend camp this year is $565 per camper.

We encourage those who can afford the $565 cost to consider paying the full amount. However, we strive to provide accessibility for those in financial need. The YMCA offers subsidized rates to help enable all youth interested in attending. If you are in a financial position to sponsor an additional camper, please email us at campfyrefly@centreforsexuality.ca

Registration Process

The first step for interested campers is to fill out the application form. All applicants will be informed of the result of their application. If your application is successful, we’ll provide you with more information about registration and payment at that time.

The registration package and fee will be managed through the YMCA camper registration system. There will be an option for full payment, payment plans and subsidy.

In addition to registration and payment, you will need your parents or guardians to complete a waiver and provide transportation information for you to attend camp.

Camper applications are closed for 2026.

We are looking for a diverse group of youth, ages 13-17, to be a part of the Camp fYrefly Youth Action Committee (YAC) and help us prepare for camp. The YAC is an important part of Camp fYrefly. The YAC will help us:

• Review workshops and activities
• Select Camp theme
• Create decor and materials
• Identify challenges and brainstorm solutions
• Provide feedback to camp planning

The YAC will meet throughout June, July, and August for a total of six in-person meetings.

We value multiple perspectives and want to hear many different voices at this table. Everyone is welcome to apply!

Members of the Youth Action Committee will receive an honorarium of up to $50 per meeting to compensate them for their time and commitment.

Campers interested in applying for the Youth Action committee will be prompted to do so in the camper application process.

YAC applications are closed for 2026.

Youth Leaders at Camp fYrefly must be between ages 20-24 at the start of camp.

Youth Leaders are the group leaders at Camp fYrefly and the primary point of contact for campers. You will be grouped with one Adult Leader and one Mental Health Leader for each pod. Working with other volunteers and staff, Youth Leaders guide the pod through pod time activities, workshops, free time and transition times. Youth Leaders support camper growth and build community as a peer. Youth Leaders build their skills in mentorship, communication and working with youth.

Youth Leader Volunteers will be onsite for all five days of camp and will be assigned to a specific group of youth, sharing accommodations with campers, volunteers and staff.

Camp is a space of excitement and curiosity. It is also a space for emotional reflection and identity exploration. Sometimes Youth Leaders will find themselves in a quiet sharing circle, and other times in a loud and busy lodge. It is a woodsy natural site with dorm-style accommodations and bunk beds. Youth Leader roles may involve guiding conversations in workshops or singing around a campfire. Camp can be both joyful and challenging! It’s important that Youth Leaders act with empathy, flexibility and resiliency.

The ideal candidate will be able to multi-task, role model effective communication and demonstrate a strong tool-kit for supporting others and themselves – ensuring they can navigate Camp needs with confidence.

Training

To help you become successful in this youth leadership role, we will provide you with comprehensive pre-camp training to help build your leadership, facilitation and mentoring skills. This pre-camp training is mandatory and will take place on July 25 and 26, 2026.

Applicants selected to be Youth Leaders at Camp fYrefly will be required to complete a criminal record/background check. Volunteers will then receive a detailed registration package containing a pre-camp checklist and information on travel, meals, accommodations and media consent.

Honorarium

As recognition of your commitment, Youth Leaders will receive a sliding scale honorarium of up to $500.00.

Youth Leader applications are closed for 2026.

Adult Leaders at Camp fYrefly must be 25 years or older by the start of camp.

Adult Leaders play a key role at Camp fYrefly. Acting as a resource for both Youth Leaders and campers, they help enhance the camp experience and open spaces for informal education and inter-generational role modelling. Along with Youth Leaders, Adult Volunteers support and provide guidance at pod meetings, special events and workshops. They build relationships with Youth Leaders and campers, offering mentorship and acting as a bridge to the appropriate resource. Adult Leaders build their skills in leadership, collaboration and problem solving.

Adult Leader Volunteers will be onsite for all five days of camp and will be assigned to a specific pod of youth.

Camp is a space of excitement and curiosity. It is also a space for emotional reflection and identity exploration. Sometimes Adult Leaders will find themselves in a quiet sharing circle, and other times in a loud and busy lodge. It is a woodsy natural site with dorm-style accommodations and bunk beds. Adult Leader roles may involve guiding conversations in workshops or singing around a campfire. Camp can be both joyful and challenging. It’s important that Adult Leaders act with empathy, flexibility, and resiliency.

The ideal candidate will be able to multi-task, role model effective communication and demonstrate a strong tool-kit for supporting others and themselves – ensuring they can navigate Camp needs with confidence.

Training

To help you become successful in the Adult Leader role, we will provide you with comprehensive pre-camp training to help build your leadership, supervision, and mentoring skills. This pre-camp training is mandatory and will take place on July 25 and 26, 2026.

Applicants selected to be Adult Leaders at Camp fYrefly will be required to complete a criminal record/background check. Volunteers will then receive a detailed registration package containing a pre-camp checklist and information on travel, meals, accommodations, and media consent.

Honorarium

As recognition of your commitment, Adult Volunteers will receive a sliding scale honorarium of up to $300.

Adult volunteer applications are closed for 2026.

Mental Health Leaders play an important role at Camp fYrefly. Supporting campers in their well-being throughout Camp, Mental Health Leaders help create brave spaces for campers to feel themselves. Mental Health Leaders support and provide guidance at pod meetings, special events and the dedicated wellness space. Mental Health Leaders are there to manage big emotions, help teach new coping skills or lend a listening ear. Mental Health Leaders bring an established skill set in mental health support and build their skills in collaboration and facilitating community wellness.

Mental Health Team Volunteers will be onsite for all five days of camp and will be on a rotating schedule to ensure youth are always supported. As part of the team, you will be asked to support at least one overnight shift.

Camp is a space of excitement and curiosity. It is also a space for emotional reflection and identity exploration. Mental Health Leaders will find themselves in a quiet sharing circle, and other times in a loud and busy lodge. It is a woodsy natural site with dorm-style accommodations and bunk beds. Mental Health Leader responsibilities may involve supporting campers’ daily routines, ensuring a supportive end to each day. Camp can be both joyful and challenging! It’s important that Mental Health Leaders approach camp with empathy, flexibility and resiliency.

The ideal candidate will be able to adaptively respond to situations, role model effective communication and demonstrate a strong tool-kit for supporting others and themselves – ensuring they can navigate Camp needs with confidence.

Training

To help you become successful in the Mental Health Leader role, we will provide you with comprehensive pre-camp training to help bridge your knowledge and skills to the Camp fYrefly setting. This pre-camp training is mandatory and will take place on July 25 and 26, 2026.

Applicants selected to be Mental Health Leaders at Camp fYrefly will be required to complete a criminal record/background check. Volunteers will then receive a detailed registration package containing a pre-camp checklist and information on travel, meals, accommodations and media consent.

Honorarium

As recognition of your commitment, Mental Health Volunteers will receive a sliding scale honorarium of up to $500.

Mental Health Leader Volunteer applications are closed for 2026.

Every year at Camp, we invite an Artist in Residence (AiR) to work with our fYrefly team to deliver a range of art-based content for Camp fYrefly participants. The AiR will be an emerging or established artist and will have demonstrated a commitment to innovation, community building, an understanding of 2SLGBTQ+ experiences and identities, experience working with youth, leadership experience and an interest in social art practices in combination with other primary physical mediums (i.e. visual arts, theatre arts, literary, etc.).

In 2026, we are extending the program beyond camp to include a chance to deliver up to 3 additional workshops post-camp, allowing the opportunity for the artist to reflect on their residency at camp and integrate their social practice learnings and then sharing them with the fYrefly community.

Working with the Camp Team, the AiR will support the development and execution of arts-based programming for Camp fYrefly. Other requirements include:

• Presence for the full duration of Camp (Aug 21-26th- 5 nights, 6 days for AiR; first day without campers), including training, planning, and debrief
• Delivery of 1-2 workshops at camp in Kananaskis & 2-3 workshops post-camp in Calgary

The AiR can receive up to $2700 in honoraria ($1500 will be payable at the end of August after Camp, with the remaining paid after each additional post-Camp workshop).

Applications will remain open until Friday, July 3rd, 2026 at 11:59pm. Please note, the Centre for Sexuality may contact you for an additional online or phone interview in a second step of this application process.

Applications for Artist in Residence for 2026 are open until Friday, July 3 at 11:59 p.m.

To apply:

• Complete our application form.
• Compile and email the following documentation to campfyrefly@centreforsexuality.ca, with the subject line “[First & Last Name] Artist in Residence Application”:
  • Resume, including public presentations of work (max. 2 pages)
  • A link to a portfolio (e.g., Images, Video, PDFs, etc.)

Centre for Sexuality may contact you for an additional online or phone interview as part of the application process.

We are seeking creatives, educators, knowledge keepers and people of all sorts to facilitate workshops or activities at Camp fYrefly 2026. Workshops and activities can span from paper crafts, film making, nature walk n’ talks, bike maintenance, Intro to DND, advocacy skills, music and song writing and so much more!

Selected workshops will be one or two hours long and take place as single-day events between August 22 and 26, 2026 at Camp Chief Hector YMCA. Guests will be required to find transportation to and from the site on the day of their workshop.

Camp fYrefly is a fun, educational, social and personal leadership retreat for 2SLGBTQ+ youth ages 13-17. Campers explore their identity, build resilience, enhance self-esteem and develop leadership skills that positively impact their lives, homes, schools and communities.

Workshops will be chosen by our Youth Action Committee. Workshop facilitators will be compensated with a $75 honorarium.

Workshop facilitator applications are closed for 2026.