kin•dom campfire chats season 3 episode 1

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Transcript

music  0:00  

[Andy strumming guitar & Baylee's voice singing: "Oh let's build, let's build a place we can go”]  

Narrator  0:09  

Thank you for tuning into kin•dom campfire chats, a podcast of kin•dom community. This podcast features the voices of LGBTQIA+ youth who attended kin•dom camp at Zephyr Point in the summer of 2025. We asked the campers about their experience at camp and as queer youth navigating the world around them. I these short interviews, the campers tell their stories of the highs and lows of everyday life as an LGBTQIA+ youth. We invite you to listen with an open mind and an open heart.

music  0:50  

[Andy strumming guitar & Baylee's voice singing: "This is the place”]

DJ  0:54  

Hi, everyone. DJ again here with the kin•dom camp podcast overlooking lovely Lake Tahoe in California/Nevada, right on the border. And today I have another camper. Camper i'll let you introduce yourself.

speaker 2  1:11  

Hi. It's my first time going to Kin•dom camp, and so far, I'm really liking it, so I'm glad, I'm glad to be here.

DJ  1:19  

Awesome. We're happy to have you, um, tell us a little bit about why you chose to come to Kin•dom camp.

speaker 2  1:24  

Um, well, I chose because I've never been to a summer camp before, and I was thinking maybe it would be something fun to do, because I don't usually do new things.

DJ  1:35  

Is it fun?

speaker 2  1:35  

Yeah.

DJ  1:36  

Good. Tell us about, and for those listening, we're only on Day Two, so some of my questions might be more about the future, but tell us a little bit about what you're looking forward to?

speaker 2  1:47  

I'm looking forward to going swimming in the lake, and maybe hanging out with my friend.

DJ  1:56  

So you said hanging out with your friends? Have you made friends here?

speaker 2  1:59  

I haven't really made friends here, but I, I came here with one of my friends.

DJ  2:06  

Oh, awesome. And you said this was your first time at a camp?

speaker 2  2:09  

Yeah.

DJ  2:09  

So also, is this your first time at a sleep away camp?

speaker 2  2:12  

Yes.

DJ  2:15  

How is it going so far? How do you feel not being home? How do you feel being away from your family, that kind of thing? 

speaker 2  2:21  

It can be kind of like uncomfortable, but I feel like I was able to manage it. I was able to go to sleep pretty well. It's, I guess it's a little bit scary, because I have to leave the door open, and that creeps me out.

DJ  2:39  

Yeah, we ask all the campers to have their doors cracked at least so that we can be sure that we are hearing anything that they might need in the middle of the night. But yeah, I hear you, it might be a little bit scary for some if you're not used to that. Are you able to room with your friend that you came with?

speaker 2  2:54  

Yeah.

DJ  2:55  

Oh, good. Are you able to meet other new friends?

speaker 2  2:59  

Yeah, I've met some new people, but I don't know if I'd consider them my friends quite yet.

DJ  3:06  

Fair. That's very fair. Okay, so I know we're only about 24 hours in, but why don't you share a little bit about what you've done already, that you have, that you have been excited about, or what you have learned in your short time here?

speaker 2  3:21  

Well, I learned that archery is easier than I thought it would be.

DJ  3:26  

Say more!

DJ  3:27  

Say a little bit more about why you think archery is easier than you thought.

speaker 2  3:31  

Oh, I don't know. I thought there would be, like, a whole complex thing that you'd have to do, but really you just need to stand kind of right and pull back.

DJ  3:42  

Have you ever shot a bow and arrow before?

speaker 2  3:44  

No, never.

DJ  3:45  

Well, good for you. Did you hit any bull's eyes?

speaker 2  3:47  

No, I didn't hit any bull's-eye.

DJ  3:49  

Well, hopefully you have another chance to do that. What else? What other events or activities have you done that you've enjoyed or that will be coming in the future, that you are looking forward to?

speaker 2  3:58  

Well, I think for today I'm going to make, I'm going to make some jewelry, I think necklaces or bracelets, something like that. I don't remember exactly, but that seems really fun.

DJ  4:09  

And I know we have a bunch of theme nights this week. Any of the theme nights you're looking forward to?

speaker 2  4:14  

Yeah, I'm looking forward to, I don't remember what it was exactly, but you could wear like, something formal, and I had a really nice outfit picked out.

DJ  4:22  

I think it's a murder mystery. 

speaker 2  4:25  

Sounds really fun. 

DJ  4:27  

Um, do you want to share a little bit about if someone's just listening and doesn't get to see you? Tell us a little bit about your exciting murder mystery outfit.

speaker 2  4:36  

Well, I have, like, I don't know, I kind of made it look like I was a 1950 school girl, like, a polka dot dress and a sweater and like a belt that you can't really see. And it had been-

DJ  4:46  

That sounds very fun. So you're going with a period piece they call it, like a period theme, like from the 1950s.

speaker 2  4:52  

Yeah.

DJ  4:53  

What made you decide on that?

speaker 2  4:55  

Um, I just, I went to a thrift store earlier this week. And I found some really nice clothes, so I decided to wear those.

DJ  5:03  

Fun, that's really fun. So we've talked a little bit about what you're looking forward to. Other campers have shared a little bit about what they might be learning. Has there been any? Has there been anything you've talked about, either with other campers or any of the adults, that you have learned, or anything you're looking forward to in learning here at Camp?

speaker 2  5:25  

Well, I just went to, like, right before this, I just went to a queer history class, and I got to learn something like about, I don't remember what it's called exactly, but there was another riot or Stonewall, and it was, it was interesting to learn about that a little bit.

DJ  5:47  

Yeah, can you share a little bit about, like, who the teacher was of that and how that space felt for you?

speaker 2  5:54  

I don't remember his name. 

DJ  5:56  

His name is Michael. 

speaker 2  5:58  

Michael, okay, sorry.

DJ  5:59  

That's okay.

speaker 2  6:00  

He was, he was really nice. And it was nice being able to sit down and relax for a bit after the archery, because it was really hot out. And also, we got to have ice cream. So that was, that was that was good.

DJ  6:15  

Yeah, Michael is one of our elders here at camp, and he cares very much about teaching campers history lessons, and so he also bribed them all with ice cream. So I think that worked. Okay, great. Um, what about any other topics that are coming up for you this week? I know some folks have talked about arts and crafts, some folks have talked about maybe swimming in the lake. Some folks have talked about, and you've already mentioned, some of the theme nights. What other new, adventurous things do you hope to explore while you're here at Camp?

speaker 2  6:46  

Oh, I don't really know. I just kind of want to find out what whatever's happening on the day and decide then.

DJ  6:54  

So you're taking it day by day?

speaker 2  6:55  

Yeah.

DJ  6:56  

That's awesome. I love that. Okay, well, if you don't mind, let's talk a little bit about home. What part of the country are you coming from? Don't be too specific, but I'm wondering, like, did you have to travel far to get here? Was it just a short drive for you?

speaker 2  7:10  

Well, it wasn't that far. It was like an hour or so. I live in California.

DJ  7:17  

Okay, good. And what is life like for you back home?

speaker 2  7:21  

I don't know. That's not nothing, really happens that much.

DJ  7:26  

No? So camp is a pretty exciting time and opportunity to get away?

speaker 2  7:31  

Yeah.

DJ  7:32  

That's good. And then something I'm asking everybody, as well as, like, at home, and maybe even as a bridge between camp and home. What are some of the things that bring you joy?

speaker 2  7:44  

I like hanging out with my friend, and I forgot to bring it, but I think I'm going to call my mom and ask her to bring it over, but I'm going to try to work on drawing. And that would be really fun to do. 

DJ  7:59  

What kind of drawing do you do?

speaker 2  8:02  

Well, I just started trying to draw, like on a notebook. I'm not that good at it yet, but I'm hoping that I'll improve. 

DJ  8:11  

I have a feeling you'll have some time to practice here.

speaker 2  8:14  

Yeah.

DJ  8:15  

Well, good. And so you like to draw? What else? What other things do you do? Are you involved in school? Do you-I--You mentioned having your friend here. What kind of things do you like to do for fun?

speaker 2  8:27  

Well, for school, I'm in-I'm like home-schooled. So I wasn't always home-schooled, but I decided to go to homeschool because it's kind of loud at school. Stuff I like to do for fun. I don't know. I don't really do much.

DJ  8:46  

That's okay. I think being at Camp is a lot, and I think you're, I think hopefully, going to stretch and grow in the experiences you're getting here.

speaker 2  8:55  

Yeah.

DJ  8:56  

I also think, you know, hearing your story, it's also really cool to see how brave you're being and coming to a sleep-away camp with your best friend and space you haven't really done before. How is that feeling? 

speaker 2  9:07  

I'm usually pretty okay like sleeping anywhere, so I don't-it's not too difficult. 

DJ  9:14  

Was it? Did you have any challenges in deciding to come to a sleep-away camp?

speaker 2  9:22  

Yeah? I guess. It took me a while to decide whether or not I wanted to come because I was kind of nervous that I was nervous about bears.

DJ  9:33  

Well, how do you feel about them now?

speaker 2  9:39  

I'm not really worried about bears anymore.

DJ  9:42  

Well, good for you. I know that that can be a scary thing for people, but yeah, I think there's enough people here to not have to worry too much about the bears.

speaker 2  9:50  

Yeah. And also, I'm sleeping on the second floor, so I don't think a bear would get up there. 

DJ  9:54  

The bears are going to take out all your all your campers before they get to you. Great. So you're also overcoming fears and challenges. I think that's really cool. And I want to, like, really honor that you're having to challenge yourself in a lot of ways to be here, and I think that's very brave and very cool. So what about you know, like when you think about your choice to go to homeschool and then come to a camp like this, and I can imagine someone who is at home who might be thinking about, like, "Oh, I'm also in homeschooling." What kind of advice would you give them for trying out something that's pretty social, like kin•dom camp?

speaker 2  10:39  

You don't have to like, you don't have to talk to people right away, if you want to, you can, but you it's like, it's not obligatory, I guess, to always speak to people you can take your time.

DJ  10:53  

Yeah, I love that you can take your time and kind of slowly get to know people. Um, that reminds me. How have the adults been, the volunteers, and the camp staff?

speaker 2  11:02  

Yeah, they're really nice. They like, I usually don't know where to go, so they can, like, help direct me to places that I'm supposed to go. And it's, yeah, it's really, it's really fun. 

DJ  11:13  

That's great. And have you had any interesting conversations with any of them?

speaker 2  11:17  

I don't remember any conversations? I generally don't remember conversations, but I feel like I probably did.

DJ  11:29  

We'll say that you left feeling good, and maybe you don't remember the details.

speaker 2  11:32  

Yeah.

DJ  11:33  

Well, thank you so much. I guess let's end on a final note. What's one thing that when you look back at this week, what's one thing that you really hope you get to take away?

speaker 2  11:46  

I hope that maybe I'll get to be a bit less scared of going outside and being social. 

DJ  11:57  

Well, I have a feeling you're going to get there. And you're being very brave just by participating, so thank you very much.

music  12:03  

[Andy strumming guitar & Baylee's voice singing: "Oh let's build”]

Baylee  12:12  

Hi y'all, it's Baylee. I'm the Creative Director of kin•dom community. I’d like to talk a little bit more about kin•dom camp and how you can get involved. kin•dom camp is an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 12 to 17 to feel safe and free to show up as their full selves. Campers will have the chance to experience traditional camp activities and recreation, plus some specialized programming to incorporate LGBTQIA+ history and culture. More information can be found on our website kindomcommunity.org/camp. If you have any questions you can't find the answers to, you can email us at kindomcamp@gmail.com. Thanks for listening to kin•dom campfire chats. We are proud to be a safe space for these campers, and we are even more proud of them for sharing their stories. We hope you'll keep gathering around the campfire with us as we celebrate all of the stories that make us this kin•dom community.