Who we are
The Spirit Pride Project (formerly Spiritual Pride Project), founded 2009 is a non-profit dedicated to the idea that LGBT2SIAQ+ young people deserve to know that who they are is valuable, powerful, and lovable. We use camp as a vehicle for a spirituality retreat through team-building, community-building, and identity-forming games, workshops, and activities. Our current program includes an annual summer-camp-style weekend retreat each spring which ran annually for ten years from 2009-2019, pausing due to the pandemic and back at camp starting in 2022! Our second camp back will be June 23-25, 2023.
The Planning Team
SPP is organized by a dedicated group of volunteers year-round. We are youth workers, artists, organizers, activists, social workers, ministers, camp professionals, and others who care deeply for the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. We are always looking for partners with us in organizing, funding, and executing this extremely unique spirituality retreat for LGBTQ+.youth and young adults and youth of LGBTQ+ families. Due to the pandemic, we held a brief hiatus through 2020-2021 but are back as of 2022!
Requirements for successful participation in our program include an anti-oppressive/inclusive/open/accepting perspective (accepting multiple paths as many equally valid truths and experiences), a commitment to anti-racism, and willing to undergo a background check and interview. We have opportunities that range from one time events to ongoing commitments for all ages. Click below to apply to join the team!
youth leadership
SPP partners with Texas Youth Action Network (TYAN) to support our youth leadership program as a critical component of SPP planning by implementing a leadership board. Throughout the year, SPP’s youth leadership meet on a monthly basis to learn leadership skills and plan our annual event! Interested in joining us to help plan? Click below to join the team!
Questions about our retreat? Looking for camps or other resources near you? Please fill out the form below to contact us.
Contact Us
Who can attend?
We welcome youth and young adults ages 12-30 in a uniquely intergenerational summer-camp-style retreat setting. Housing placement by age is available to every gender. Coming with a friend? Let us know your housing preferences on the registration form. We encourage people who identify as LGBTQ+ and children of LGBTQ+ families of all religious and spiritual (including nonspiritual and nonreligious) backgrounds to join us.
winter retreat: January 2024
This year, we will have our first ever winter retreat designed for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults! We welcome folks of all backgrounds and beliefs who are looking to connect with self and community. We melted during our summer reatreat in 2023 and were inspired to host a cozy, camp firey, sweater-ridden time together while we play games, enjoy workshops, and meet new friends. You must register in order to attend the event. REGISTRATION WILL OPEN OCTOBER 1, 2024.
pride camp: APRIL 2024
Our event is a spirituality retreat designed for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults of all backgrounds and beliefs who are looking to connect with self and community. We use the tools of teambuilding, games, and identify formation activities to encourage and cultivate a pride in self, community, and identity. You must register in order to attend the event. REGISTRATION WILL OPEN FEBRUARY 1, 2024.
Registration COST
We fund the event through grants, donations, and fundraisers in order to eliminate a fee for participants. It costs the organization approximately $200 for each participant, including all meals, activities including high ropes and zip line, workshops, lodging, and the experience of a lifetime. To help fund a camper’s experience, please donate through our donate button. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
CONTACT
kj@spiritualprideproject.org
Location
Central / East Texas (undisclosed location until registration confirmation)
DATE
January 26-28, 2024 (registration live Oct 1, 2023)
April 12-14, 2024 (registration live February 1, 2023)
Retreat location disclosed at registration confirmation
Frequently asked questions
What if I can't pay?
We ensure that cost of coming presents no barrier to any camper, participant, or volunteer. The cost of every camper is roughly $200 for all meals, activities, and housing. We ask for campers to pay what they can with no restrictions or impact to their full participation.
Why a Spirituality Retreat?
SPP founders identified that those of us who grew up in the Bible Belt felt or observed others being excluded from cultural, spiritual practices and religious life. We believe all young people have the right to harness every possible asset to help them build a sense of self and community, including spirituality or religion if they choose. For those who do not identify as spiritual or religious, we seek to cultivate allyship, understanding, co-conspiratorship, and support.
Where is it?
For safety and confidentiality purposes, the location of the annual retreat is disclosed as a receipt and confirmation of registration. SPP currently holds retreats in the East/Central Texas region.
housing
Our Camp Director organizes housing arrangements based on age and access needs. Housing options range from bunkbeds in a bunkhouse style cabin to a two per room and common space larger cabin. All doors remain open for safety purposes and all campers under 18 are assigned a camp counselor for supervision and support.
what do we do there?
Games! Small group discussions! High Ropes course! Pool Party! Workshops (participants can bring their own to offer the community too)! Labyrinth! Relaxing! Meeting cool people! Nature hikes! Music! Campfires and s’mores! Waterslides! Being your amazing self.
Other questions?
Contact us on the "Contact Us" button on the "About Us" page.
Resources
Wherever you are, like-minded folks and outstanding organizations aren’t far away! Click on the “Resource List” button to find a growing list of LGBT+ camps around the United States and LGBT+ youth organizations in and around Texas to check out.
Also, click here to check out SPP’s friend, colleague, and camper’s AMAZING CAMP RESOURCE.