You have questions, we have answers.

FAQs

Registration FAQs

Lodging Pennsylvania

Lodging Oregon

WHO IS CAMP FOR

  • Absolutely not! We encourage all self-identified men of trans experience to come celebrate our male identities in a safe, fun, and rugged outdoor setting.

    We recognize that being a man is not reliant on being on T or having had (or planning on having) any surgeries.

    If you say you are a man, we respect you as a man. Additionally, we make sure there is no hierarchal approach to maleness at camp. This camp is for all men of trans experience, at any stage of their journey.

    All (trans) men who want to attend are welcome. No haters, all love. We ask that all who attend are respectful of others, the camp, and the mission. 

  • Though we love and support our nonbinary siblings, this camp is explicitly for men of trans experience and people who identify as male.

    We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support trans men. Our donors generously fund that specific mission and our tax-exempt status depends on our adherence to our mission. If you are not a man of trans experience, we appreciate you respecting our organization, and the community spaces we create, by not attending.

    Everyone at camp is received and addressed as male, regardless of appearance. For starters, imagine how validating that is for men who have not medically transitioned and don’t have the privilege of passing in their everyday lives. What a relief.

    Identity is specific and subjective, as is language. So let us explain a bit further.

    We recognize that there are all types of men and different ways of relating to your maleness. Gender expression and gender identity are distinctly different. We welcome men with any gender expression. We will absolutely not be policing or deciding who is male or “man enough.” If you come to camp, you are a man.

    Thank you for understanding the specific need for and healing that happens in designated affinity spaces.

    We have compiled a resource page for other similar experiences that serve a broader community.

  • This camp was created by someone that transitioned over 20 years ago. There are many men that attend that have transitioned many decades ago.

    Many men that attend have fallen out of community and do not have a daily connection to their trans-ness in a major way.

    We always plan programming to address the experience and needs faced by those of us who transitioned long ago and chats that merge the generations.

  • Camp Lost Boys was founded, in part, by two men of color, and continues to have BIMOC leadership.

    We dedicate the bulk of scholarships and sliding scale spots to BIMOC, has majority BIMOC facilitators, designates BIMOC space and continues to increase BIMOC attendance at each camp. We have averaged between 35-45% men of color in attendance.

    We are committed to outreach and partnership with a variety of BIMOC-focused organizations. We encourage any and all feedback and suggestions for improving the BIMOC camp experience and increasing attendance.

    If you are a BIMOC organization with a contingency of men of transgender experience, please reach out to us.

    We would love to hear your ideas or partner in some way.

  • Absolutely not! No one will be photographing you without consent and we will not be posting anyone's pictures without permission.

    This is a place we hope you will feel comfortable being without fear of people disclosing your private information elsewhere. Lots of guys who are stealth or low disclosure attend camp.

  • We make great efforts to ensure that all “shy guys” are included. No one is left out. This event is all about inclusion and connection. You will feel that from the moment you arrive.

WHAT IS CAMP ABOUT

  • Absolutely not! Our aim is to provide a space that is positive and inspires growth and examination.

    Just because a space is dedicated to serving men does not make it toxic, hyper-masculine, or similar. CLB works hard to break that stereotype. It is important to know that a space like this, for men of trans experience, can be vital to one feeling comfortable in owning their own masculinity and male identity and, in parallel, build a stronger contingency of men invested in healthy masculinity and even intersectional feminism.

    This space provides men with much-needed validation and community.

    Guys of all sorts of gender expression attend camp. There is an extreme diversity of attendance and representation along the spectrum of what it looks like to be a man.

    Trans men rarely have the opportunity to be in a setting where they can take up all the space and unpack their own relationship to being a man.

    This is the exact space where work can be done to change masculinity. We hope the guys who attend go back to their communities and transmit a new perspective about maleness and masculinity and that there is healing for the collective.

    Camp Lost Boys is thoughtfully intersectional in its curation. The environment allows guys to explore healthy masculinity, build positive manhood, and enhance self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-respect.

  • No. This camp is more focused on accessing the fun of boyhood camps and the friendship that springs up around them. We have a full itinerary of camp activities and theme-based chats.

    We aim to create an environment where we can get into nature and just have fun! 

    However, we do offer incredible chats led by men who are community leaders and activists.

  • No! We ensure that there are plenty of activities and ice breakers so that even the shyest guys are interacting and making friends. We aim to create a space that is open, friendly, and connected for all.

    AKA, even if you are a cool kid, no one is that cool at camp!

  • Camp isn’t really camping. It is more like a retreat. It is not 5-star accommodations (or even 3-star for that matter) but you aren’t sleeping on the ground and bathing in the river.

    Even some of the organizers of this camp aren’t really “camp” people. That is part of what makes CLB special. This event is a healing and magical place that will give you everything you never knew you desperately needed.

SAFETY AND COMFORT AT CAMP

  • All campground staff and team members are thoroughly vetted and trained in cultural competency to foster an inclusive and respectful environment. To ensure the privacy and safety of all participants, campers are required to sign a confidentiality agreement, and the location details are only disclosed upon the completion of registration.

    As part of our enhanced security measures, identity verification is now included in the registration process. Additionally, we will have 24-hour, professionally vetted security personnel stationed at the front gate to maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone.

  • We take the health of individuals and the collective community very seriously. We are requiring all attendees to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken 72 hours in advance of traveling to Camp Lost Boys, or two rapid at-home tests, one taken 72 hours ahead of Camp and another 24 hours before Camp. We strongly encourage all attendees to wear a mask while traveling to camp to limit potential exposure and help protect the health of fellow campers. We test everyone for COVID-19 upon arrival. If someone has a positive test, we will not allow them to attend the experience and we will be unable to provide refunds. Anyone who tests positive or exhibits symptoms of illness during camp may, at C.L.B. staff discretion, be required to leave the premises.

    The majority of chats and activities are held outside and there is outdoor seating for dining. However, You will be sharing bunk space with guys you do not know.

  • We work hard to ensure that everyone gets to eat. From meals, to S’mores, to snacks, we work to ensure that the campgrounds meet all dietary needs and restrictions.

    For those with medically restrictive diets, we work to ensure that food is prepped and served separately.

  • At most camps, there is a designated area for smoking. At some camps, we are not allowed to have an open flame and as such you will need to bring a vape or e-cig.

  • Camp Lost Boys is a clean and sober event. Recreational drugs, marijuana, and alcohol are not allowed.

    Participants with prescription medication (including medicinal marijuana in states where this is legal) should bring and use their medication discretely to treat their medical condition as instructed by their doctor. Sharing or recreational use of prescription medication of any type is not allowed.

  • While we, as organizers, cannot definitively speak to cultural norms, we can share that this is not something we encourage.

    We are a sex-positive organization and deeply value the importance of healthy, consensual expressions of intimacy. However, our community has limited opportunities to connect in meaningful and joyful spaces outside of bars or nightlife. Our goal is to create an environment where participants can deepen their connection with themselves and others in a mindful and respectful way.

    Additionally, we recognize that some individuals may come into this space carrying sexual trauma. To ensure everyone feels safe and respected, we ask participants to be mindful of their actions and avoid any conduct that could inadvertently elicit a negative response in others. To support this intention, we maintain a policy of no sexual activity in the bunks and a commitment to a sober, sex-free event.

ACCESSIBILITY & ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • While we do our best to accommodate, each campground is different and some are more accessible than others. 

    All campgrounds have in common uneven or unpaved walking paths, that can have steep hills, and at night, it gets very dark. Participants need to be able to get their bodies around for 1-2 miles per day. Participants need to be able to independently navigate the physical terrain. That said, we have hosted guys with all sorts of different physical abilities and have made plans in advance to ensure easier participation.

    We will do our best to work with your needs, just be sure to reach out ahead of time so we can make a plan. If you have specific questions, please reach out.

  • This is something you will need to determine independently. Please keep in mind, you will be bunking with 10 other guys in a shared cabin. The campgrounds are large enough that you can find some quiet alone time in nature.

    You can let us know some things that you do to ensure your own safety and comfort and we can do our best to meet needs. Though in some instances our capabilities or the facilities may be limited. 

    We also offer cabin bunking specifically for guys with ASD, if you wish to bunk with other guys who have ASD. We also offer a quiet, decompression space for guys who need it.

  • Only you can determine if you are up for the challenge, but we can guarantee that camp will be loud, raucous, and unpredictable. If that doesn’t sound like something you can handle, we strongly recommend you do not attend.

    We do observe quiet hours, between 11pm-7am. But you will be having a slumber party with 150-175 other guys who are super excited to be here.

  • Many in our community experience anxiety and depression, and you will likely find fellow campers who can relate and offer support. However, camp involves social interactions, shared spaces, and potentially stimulating environments. While we offer accommodations such as quiet spaces, ASD-friendly bunking, and self-soothing tools, we encourage you to consider whether this setting will be a good fit for you.

    We are not a mental health service and do not provide crisis support or therapeutic care at camp. If you are currently in treatment for acute anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health concerns, we recommend consulting with your medical professional to determine if attending is the right choice for you at this time.

  • Camp is always set in a rustic wilderness environment, with unpredictable conditions and potentially inclement weather, and there is always a possibility of insects and wildlife.

LOGISTICS

  • Putting on a sleep-away camp is fairly expensive and labor-intensive. As far as an experience like this one goes, this is pretty darn affordable for what you get. If we generate enough extra money, we will be opening up sliding scale and scholarship spots for campers who cannot afford the tuition. If you would like to donate to sponsor a camper, please do! 

  • If you need to cancel for any reason, we can only provide a refund before the cancellation date listed on our website for the camp you are attending. The refund amount will be reduced by the $200 security deposit. This is because the camps we rent require us to pay in full for each registered camper, regardless of the number of no-shows we may have.

  • You will be expected to travel to the location yourself, but we will coordinate a rideshare, carpool board well ahead of time.

    Rest assured, we have never had anyone without transportation to the site.

  • We strongly encourage you to unplug while at Camp Lost Boys. Some carriers may have service and others may not, but the aim and ideal for all is to BE HERE NOW and remove ourselves from our technology dependencies and build relationships with our brothers in real life. 

    However, we always provide an emergency phone number for loved ones to be able to reach you, should the need arise.

  • We will be supplying you with a welcome packet upon arrival. We can guarantee that we have painstakingly put together an impressive lineup of teachers, community leaders, activists, and professionals to lead facilitated chats. Most activities will be open to all, but some fireside chats will be geared towards specific groups and some spaces will be for men of color only. 

    Camp is a sort of choose-your-own-adventure. You can opt-in or out of everything we offer. We have a split track programming of daily facilitated chats that are theme-focused and more physical activities, such as archery, friendship bracelet making, or a high ropes course and a pool party. You can literally pick and choose whatever you would like to do. We do not send the schedule ahead of camp because some of our community live stealth lifestyles, and their names are printed in the programs, so we protect their identities. 

  • Each camp is scheduled for different dates.

    Each Camp starts with check-in from 1-5pm on a Friday and ends 1pm on the following Monday.

    We will welcome all campers the first night at the dinner orientation and a night of ice breakers so even the shy guys get comfortable.