Norwest Community Health Centre is finishing up its Gender Adventures Youth Day Camp for gender non-conforming and transgender youth aged 12-17.
Organizers say it covers topics like self-acceptance, coming out, dealing with discrimination, and physical health and well-being.
It also offers practical information dealing with transitioning, developing connections, and accessing the community.
Psychotherapist Laurie Hollis-Walker notes the camp helped the teens relate to one another.
She explains they also bring in transgender adults from the community to help run the camp. “The trans youth get to meet the trans adults and vice versa, and that leaves the youth feeling connected.”
“They can get to see a wider trans community, so they can see a wide diversity of trans individuals, how they live their life, and how they do their transition.”
The Health Centre spokesperson adds the youth often feel isolated, so it’s important to have this type of camp.
Hollis-Walker adds the centre has drawn on the experience and expertise of many within the community and outside as well.
This year’s edition of the camp began on Monday and wraps up Saturday.