may 18. 2001 » J u f t « ^ 4
CULTURE
▼
The Friends of Music at Trinity
p resen t the
Pass the s'mores
R o g u e V a lle y
G ay J l c n ’s C h o ru s
Gay and lesbian families are invited
to camp out this sum m er
by
Dr. Charles Fricscn, music director
In C o n c e r t!
T om S tev en so n
or decades upon decades, the Y W C A has
been in the business of working against dis
crimination of all kinds. In feet, the organi
zation’s desire to make sure people are free
to be who they are has been a centerpiece of its
work since its inception.
So it’s not surprising that the Y W C A is
sponsoring a special summer camp for gay
men and lesbians and their children. Family
C am pO U T will be held Aug. 10 to 13 at
Camp Westwind on the Oregon coast.
Jean DeMaster, Greater Portland YW CA
executive director, says the organization recog
nized the need for gay and lesbian parents and
their children to have a safe place to camp and
designed something to meet that need.
“It is a totally safe camp,” she assures. “It
offers gay and lesbian parents and their chil
dren an opportunity to get away from the city
and pay attention to each other. They do not
F
provide them with not only an opportunity to
talk about it but also to spend quality time
with other kids in the same situation. They are
in a situation where they can see the positive
aspects of their families. And for a little bit of
time they won’t have to deal with jokes about
gays.”
As DeMaster notes, the middle school years
are sometimes a difficult time for children to
deal with their parents, and what the camp
reinforces is that all families are treasures.
The YW CA operates camps for children
and families at Westwind on almost a year-
round basis. The organization offers specialty
events such as science camp for girls and lead
ership training for teens, as well as the tradi
tional summer camp experience.
DeMaster adds that most of the camps fill
up each year, but the organization has found it
difficult to get a large attendance at Family
Songs in P raise o f Music — S ea C hanteys
Songs abou t L ov e — Songs o f A m erica
Songs in M emory o f A ID S Victims
a n d RVGM C fav orites
Sunday, M ay 20 • 4:00pm
“A ffirm ing diversity a n d prom otin g com m unity
through m usic a n d song, service an d ou treach. "
T rin ity E p isc o p a l C h u rch * 44 HI. 2nd S t • A sh lan d , O R
R eq u ested d on ation $ 5
•
R eserv e tick ets a t (5 4 1 ) 482-2 6 56
Saturday, June 9, 2001
8pm • Hollywood Theater
4 0 3 6 NE Sandy • Portland
CO M E C ELEB R A TE
SU M M ER
with Good Friends and Good Music!
Tickets available now at all Fastixx
locations and It ’s My Pleasure.
Available two weeks prior to the
show at the Hollywood Box Office.
$15 advance, $18 at the door.
Visit us on the web:
http://motherlodemusic.com
W hat’s not to like? T h e perfect beach at Camp Westwind
always have a chance to do that. And we make
sure they have nothing to worry about, like
they might at other public camping spaces.”
The camp is run just like the YW CA’s other
family camps. Folks can “leave the dishes and
laundry at home,” go to the beach and enjoy
each other’s company.
According to information provided by the
organization, “a caring staff of volunteers will
provide a program of family, adult and child
activities.” T he camp will offer “opportunities
to hike, sing by a campfire, create treasures at
the craft house, wade in the ocean and enjoy
the beauty of Westwind.”
And Westwind is certainly beautiful. It is
undergoing a $4 million renovation; already, a
new shower/bathhouse has been constructed,
and the main building has been partially
remodeled.
The camp is located south of Tillamook and
north of Lincoln City. It encompasses a 500-
acre site on the pristine and scenic Salmon
River Estuary.
Although the beauty of Westwind is one of
the strongest attractions, those interested in
Family Cam pOU T cite another special facet.
As DeMaster notes, children of gay and lesbian
parents, especially teen-agers, have some
unique fears and concerns. The camp w orks to
overcome those.
“Those can be really hard times for the chil
dren of gay parents,” DeMaster explains. “We
CampOUT. Part of the problem, she says, is
that a lot of gay and lesbian parents don’t real
ize it exists. She said the organization definitely
hopes to change that, and she wants families to
know they will find a welcoming and safe envi
ronment.
T he fee for the four-day camp, which
includes meals and activities, is $195 for adults,
$130 for youth between 7 and 12 and $90 for
children between 3 and 6. However, DeMaster
is quick to point out that money should not be
the determining factor in whether a family
attends. Scholarships always are available for
those who cannot afford the camp.
DeMaster also mentions that the YW CA
has had a “strong commitment to overcoming
discrimination for all people." That means all
of its services are open to all people, including
those who are gay.
T h e Y W C A offers a number o f services
ranging from housing to domestic violence
shelters. T h e organization offers health and
fitness activities and services for the elderly.
T h e list is endless. And, as DeMaster empha
sizes, all are open to gay and lesbian residents
and their families.
in
For more inform ation about FAMILY C amp OUT
call 503-294-7476 or 5 0 3 -2 9 4 7 4 8 6 .
TOM STEVENSON is a Portland-based w riter. H e
can be reached at rm altom @ yahoo .corn.
S
JUNE 19-24
KELLER AUDITORIUM
SW 3rd & CLAY
(503)241 U 0 2 W o. (503) 790-ARTS
Tickets available at all
outlets and Portland Opera
wvv.porllii4op«ri.«rg • wwa.broa4virtiriis.coM • www.lickataiastar.coa/orcgoN
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