click for more on a-camp
In July 2010, I woke up at 3am and wrote “CAMP – THIS WILL BE OUR THING” on a notepad I keep by my bed for nocturnal moments of genius. I can’t remember precisely what thoughts I was thinking before I thought the thought about camp, but I remember all the thoughts we’ve had since as the project has expanded and become a team effort.
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What Would Autostraddle Look Like in 3-D?
Here’s the idea: a few hundred of you, 20 of us, and a beautiful group retreat site in the mountains. We’ve cherry picked the things we like about other queer women’s events and vacations — hilarious comedy, diverse panels, the occasional dance party and the chance to revel in one another’s awesomeness — added heaps of our own original ideas, and found a way to serve it to you for a fraction of what those other events cost.
It’s an opportunity for you to discover new things about yourself, enhance your relationships within the international queer community, make new friends forever, support Autostraddle, and, you know — get away from your laptop for three days!
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A-Camp: A Place Where You Can Be Yourself
We feel like there’s a void out there for awesome queer women who desperately wanna meet each other and experience the magic of communing with like minds, but aren’t into beer-soaked pool parties and can’t swing cruises to the Bahamas. Our original idea was to hold Camp a few times a year, for 4-7 days each time, in different locations, but that seemed like a huge thing to dive into, thus . . .
The First Ever A-Camp Weekend was born!! It’s a pilot run that gives all of us a chance to determine the website’s future!
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Details:
When: Thursday April 26th – Sunday April 29th, 2012
Where: Alpine Meadows Retreat Center in Angelus Oaks, California. It’s 1.5 hours from Palm Springs, 2 hours from Los Angeles, 2.5 hours from San Diego, 4 hours from Las Vegas, 5 hours from Phoenix and 8 hours from San Francisco. We’ll be running shuttles from LAX to the campsite all day on April 26th and shuttles back to LAX on April 29th.
Lodging:Â You’ll be having the bestest biggest surprise slumber party of your life in fully insulated, carpeted & heated cabins with private bathroom/showers/baths and generously-sized bunk beds.
Just $50 down reserves your spot!
Cost: $300
Your Cost Includes:
* 3 nights lodging
* 3 meals a day and snacks (with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and kosher options)
* Full access to a variety of daytime programming situations, including typical camp stuff like crafts and sports as well as workshops and panels with AS Teamasters
*Â World-Class Night-time Entertainment: The entire event will be MC’ed by world’s funniest duo, Julie Goldman and Brandy Howard
* Gift bag with exclusive Camp-Only Autostraddle T-shirt you can sell on ebay in ~4 years
Also:
* Memories that will last a lifetime, probably longer
* Staff dedicated to all of your feelings or lack thereof
*Â Be an active part of the group that determines the future of A-Camp
Who: You guys! You guys are really gonna like each other! All ages welcome/encouraged! ALSO:
Also — Camp TeaMasters will be Robin & Marni/bcw, and your “counselors” and workshop leaders presently include, confirmed: comediennes/actresses/writers Julie Goldman & Brandy Howard, actress/singer Haviland Stillwell, actress/producer Sarah Croce, actress/writer Ashley Reed, Internet Superstar Chef Hannah Hart of My Drunk Kitchen, Stylist Sara Medd, DJ/filmmaker Carlytron, Fashion Icon Fitforafemme and world famous photographer Robin Roemer as well as Riese, Laneia, Crystal, Annika, Taylor, Katrina, Emily, Whitney, Intern Hot Laura, Alex, Lizz, Brittani, Bren, Gabby, Jess S., Intern Grace, Carmen, Kelsey and Stef.
In addition to having life-changing conversations around a campfire with some of the coolest girls you’ll ever meet, you’ll have tons of activities, workshops, groups and panel discussions to choose from every day.
We’re here, you’re queer, it’s family.
We’ll roll out information and take requests regarding programming over the next several weeks, but rest assured there will be so many fun things to do if you wanna do stuff, like:
 Lesbian Feminist Jeopardy
Writing workshops with Rachel & Riese
Basketball! Hiking! Arts & Crafts! Cooking! Yoga! Speed-Dating!
Photography with Robin
High Ropes Course, Climbing Tower and Zip Line
Unicorn Plan-It Hollywood Show
Queer Women of Color Panel
 Formspring LIVE! with Riese, Laneia, Rachel, Crystal, Taylor, Lizz and Alex
The diversity in our programming will reflect the diversity of our content — shit that makes you laugh, shit that makes you think, and shit that makes you wanna change the world.
YES I’M IN. WHAT DO I DO?
1. Put down a $50 deposit and/or put down the entire $300 to secure your spot ASAP. There’s limited space, and we expect this’ll fill up quickly. Deposits are non-refundable, but they are transferrable. (This also makes a great last minute Valentine’s Day present!)
2. You’ll provide us with some basic information while making your deposit or payment this week. In two weeks, you’ll be asked for a lot more information about things like your t-shirt size, flight times and bunking needs/concerns/requests (cabins sleep between 6 and 20 people). Then all kinds of updates will keep happening until you arrive!
3. Start making travel arrangements!
If you’re flying, we recommend flying into LAX, because we will be running shuttles from there, but arrangements could also be made from the Palm Springs or Ontario airport, depending on demand. We will request flight information from you before camp begins.
If you are flying and will need transportation, please  fly in on Thursday April 26th before 6pm and book your return flight for Sunday, April 29th (we recommend flying out after noon, but can make other arrangements if necessary)
If you’re driving, then sweet! If you’re looking to carpool or caravan, you can coordinate with other campers via the ASS Camp group or Facebook Page (both will go up this week.)
4. You’ll also have access to the event website after making your payment, and can enjoy updates there.
FAQ:
Q: But I’m really socially awkward! What if I go there alone and don’t make any friends?!
A: Oh girl, we ALL feel you, which’s why we’re committed to 100% social comfort. I can tell you who doesn’t make that claim and her name is Dinah Shore. Firstly, Autostraddlers are the most amazing, kind, inclusive people in the world and Secondly, we’ll be prepared for Shystraddlers and the team will be prepped on how to ensure nobody will feel weird or awkward at camp. This is our top priority. You have my promise and honestly I rarely promise things. We got this shit on eight kinds of lock.
Q: I’m really super poor but I want to go so bad!
A: Firstly, this is a once-in-a-lifetime Utopia-esque situation, I recommend getting your emergency funds out. But we get that hard times are here for some of you, and that’s why we’ve set up a “pay it later” system. Let us know when you put down your deposit that you’ll need to pay via installment plan. No fees, no gimmicks, no credit checks. We’ll work with you to get you there. That’s just how much we want you to come.
Q: Is there Wi-Fi?
A: NOPE! I know it’s scary!
Q: Will there be any free time?
A: Yup! I mean you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Go read by the river or go videotape your friend hiding in a tree like a monkey or just lie on the grass or in your bed. You can do whatever you wanna do, you’re a grown-up!
Q: Are there extra charges for any activities?
A: Yes, there is a $15 fee for those requiring transportation to/from LAX, $20 fee for the Ropes Course or Climbing Tower, $25 for a private voice lesson with Haviland and $10 for a private writing tutorial with Riese.
Q: Do you need any more speakers/activity leaders?
A: If you’re either famous, internet-famous or have a strong background in queer activism/social justice issues and experience talking to groups about that, we could use some more of both of those kinds of people. Hit us up – robin [at] autostraddle [dot] com & autostraddle.merch [at] gmail [dot] com.
Q: Me and all my friends want to go together, can we stay in the same cabin?
A: Yes.
Q: I got so inspired by your State of the Union yesterday that I donated my last 50 bucks!
A: Shoot us an email and we’ll work out a transfer.
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You guys, this is the closest thing you’ll ever get to magic.
Register Now. You Don’t Wanna Miss This.
LESBIAN SPACE CAMP.
GET YOUR SPACE BOOTS LADY BECAUSE THIS GONNA BE OUT OF THIS WORLD
I’M TERRIFIED OF SPACE BUT LET’S DO THIS SHIT.
HEY I MADE THIS! http://www.autostraddle.com/groups/so-youre-going-to-a-camp/
I JUST BOUGHT RED Doc Martens. I am Super Duper Spacey Grace Jones POWER FRO Lesbian.
I am ready.
Mission.
Fucking.
Accepted.
Camp, here commesss Luuuuuuuuuuunaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
OMG THIS IS AMAZING BUT SCHOOL. FUCK YOU SCHOOL.
same here. I mean. university. like. who really needs to graduate after 5 years of higher education?
Ahhh!!! SCHOOL!!!
Have one on the East Coast (once it’s warmer here!)
Rehoboth Beach anyone???
YES.
PLEASE! I am freaking dying being on the wrong coast here. I already have a girlfriend in another hemisphere, WHY MUST YOU DO THIS TO ME AUTOSTRADDLE???
or asbury!! but yes, yes, yes to A-Camp (East)
This Jersey girl is California dreamin’….I’m west coast bound!
wish i could!! already taking time off in april for my sister’s mfa art thesis show. but this NEEDS to happen again. camp is my THING–i’ve been volunteering at this little gay methodist music camp for 10 yrs now. ‘live campy’ is my mantra :) east camp pweaaaase!!!
YES that would be amazing cause i cannot afford a plane ticket lol
agreed agreed agreed agreed! pleeease! I’m on east coast CANADA even but I could come down!
fucking school though, this is the weekend before finals.
EDUCATION SCHMEDUCATION
EAST SIIIIIDEEEE WHAT WHAT
AND you’ll finally learn how to pronounce Laneia’s name. You think you know, but you have no idea.
I really need this information in my life.
It’s not LAN-AY-YA?
i pronounce it HOH-BAAG
This just made me spray my laptop with red wine in the ultimate spit-take!
IS THIS REAL LIFE?!!!
I’M IN, OBVS
Amaaaaaaaaaazing. Also, Fanta Sea is pretty much my ultimate fantasy, as long as it’s the Euro Fanta and not the shitty crap they try to pawn off on us Americans.
I would like to have some Fanta now because I’m hungover and Fanta is my go-to drink!
Yay!!
i’m trying to work fort-building into the schedule just fyi everybody
you will leave with SO MUCH structural integrity
can there be autoscout badges for completing such tasks?
This! And lots of vests….because you obvs need a place to put said badges.
only if there is an activity called “how to pull off vests”
:(
Sara Medd, professional stylist to the stars, will be there as well as our resident Autostraddle fashionistas, but I’m not sure vests will be covered. ;) Maybe we can invite Matt Morrison from Glee? jk
I’ve learned to live my life without vests thus far.
I’m pretty sure if Matt Morrison was coming my dad would pay my airfare because he loves Will S. so much. I don’t understand.
I hope it’s nothing like the hipster forts at Outside Lands!
This sounds AMAZING. I just wish plane tickets wouldn’t cost me $400.
Same here… Montréal-LAX for 2, plus babysitter for the kids, plus we fees = impossible to gather up. :-( Too bad, we would have loved it, but I’m still glad some of you will have so many nice stories to tell us when they get back. :-)
I’m thinking about the idea of an Autostraddle Traveling Pants Circus for the future.. we’ll see. I’ll have to run it by Riese.
oh my god. oh my god.
you know what. I so hope this is going to be the biggest success of forever so that there can be a camp no. 2.
I mean. I would come from Germany if my final exams wouldn’t start around may 3rd. it’s breaking my heart a little bit. because from june to whenever, I have all the time in the world cause I’ll be unemployed and travelling around.
also, I’d really like to thank Gabby in person for her sweet words after my grandma died. really.
I am obvs freaking out about this camp/my exams. I bought green suspenders today, I want to come!
Um… I’ve been looking into going back to Cali in April as a mean to get away from here, this might just be the winner for me.
yes!!!
!!!
I really hate the fact that I live in Europe..
camp a europe!
YES! I would totally go.
I would also totally go to California if it wasn’t on the other side of the world..
we will make our own camp we will make you come to europe.
Exactly my thoughts :(
Now I know what to do with my Southwest voucher from my canceled UK trip.
YES yes!!
Southwest vouchers for the win! Screw you, Portlans, I’m going to CAMP!
I also have a flight voucher that I must spend/use within the next few weeks before it becomes void, hmmmm!
Okay. Here’s the plan: I’m a finalist for National Merit, which would give me a $2500 scholarship. This only costs 300 + a plane ticket. So, my parents (who are paying for my college, bless their hearts) still come out on top?
yes.
Aw, you lucky bastard! I almost qualified for semi’s (it sucks, because my score WOULD HAVE qualified me in almost any state but the one I live in). I did qualify for national hispanic, though.
NICE! I was a finalist but didn’t get the actual scholarship.
in case you’re all wondering i too was a finalist, did not get the scholarship, AND LOOK AT ME NOW
You have no idea how happy that makes me Riese. Seriously, now I get to be in the same category as you AND Melissa Harris-Perry. :D
me too!
Brava for some originality, Autostraddle!
It warms my soul to know that you ladies are attempting something of this magnitude, ESPECIALLY an event that is so reasonable priced. If I wasn’t deep in the heart of Indiana, I would put down $100 today and sign my girlfriend and I up for this magnificent event. And a million thank yous for actually addressing the notion that some ladies are just a little shy at first and take some time and energy to open them up. You’re on the right track, babies. (Err…that babies part sounded weird, didn’t it? Sh*t).
Bridget if I wasn’t going to be on a radiology rotation (boo), we could road trip from Indiana!
Ditto! Med school is really not conducive to weekends of autostraddling awesomeness : (
If it wasn’t right before my written exams (PhD program) I would also road trip with you guys from Indiana.
HEY WHO IS FROM INDIANA WE SHOULD BE FRIENDS I GO TO NOTRE DAME
I’m from Indiana! Don’t live there anymore, though.
HEY I DON’T GO TO NOTRE DAME BUT I LIVE RRRREAL CLOSE AND WORK EVEN CLOSER WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE.
What’s the lesbo population of ND like? I heard it’s the sixth most gay unfriendly university in the US. So maybe that means you’re making a positive impact on the school. Or maybe it’s just really difficult to attend. What’s it like for you?
I have attempted to write out this comment about a dozen times and I’m so excited I can’t really pick out a clear thought except, “Welp, I know what I’m doing when I get paid tomorrow.”
!!
Ahhh so I can’t stop thinking about camp so I made this! http://www.autostraddle.com/groups/so-youre-going-to-a-camp/ Everyone that’s going, please join so we can talk! yayayayayayyayay
AAAAAAAAAH SO EXCITING!!!!! :D
Tears…Streaming..No words…I’m so…(GASP)…TEARS!!!
Alright, as soon as my paycheck clears I’m reserving a spot. I want to reserve one for my boyfriend too. Is this a safe space for trans men, or is this a camp just for queer female-identified folks?
yeeesss all gender identities are welcome!
HOOORAY!!!! Thanks! :)
this is why we love you. (one of many reasons)
this is fine, but what about if we only wanna bunk with females?
we’ll be asking y’all for all your bunking feelings/requests/needs in a few weeks, so just let us know!
Yay that was my question!
This is going to be just like the DCOM Bug Juice!
I WANT TO GO TO THERE
WE WANT YOU THERE
At some point in my life, I might live in America. Until then, this is the sort of thing I will dream about in my little pansexual heart. Everyone who goes has to have a magically fun time on my behalf NOT LIKE YOU WOULDN’T ALREADY THOUGH
um hello this is practically in my backyard.
i need monies. now.
Blargh, despite being a continent and a lot of money away, this is alarmingly tempting.
Can I make an advance request that while you are all in the woods, you enable image posting on here so those left behind can amuse themselves by posting a million animated gifs and take the whole site down? It will be theraputic for us.
Varsity Barbecue Team did it first. Probably not this well though. We did not tolerate vegetarians though so I guess we had that going for us
Oh god what if there was a VBBQT cabin?! What then?!
Then we’d have issues around the entire cabin trying to sexile the entire cabin.
oh my holy fucking god. what fucking then?!?
we’re in the business of making dreams come true, i think
Varsity BBQ Team is tots on the avant garde of queer sleep away camps.
I am really excited it’s called CAMP because I feel like I am going to attend Childish Gambino’s album in real life except with hot women and not as sad.
A-Camp is the new Comic-Con (with more feelings)!
And presumably less virgins.
nice
!
I would be going alone. I am super nervous to sign up but really, really want to. Anyone else flying solo?
Some people fly solo every night. *Wink wink*
brittani 4ever
Eek. Flight into LAX for only $142 dollars. So very tempted to buy immediately. But my introverted, shy self is currently having a huge internal war…
SERIOUSLY!! GO!! On behalf of all of us who are not able to go, cause of location/money etc.. GO!
I have a feeling that it’s only love at Autocamp, bro. Nothin’ but open arms waiting for you.
I’m also going alone and am super shy. Do it!
I want to be absolutely clear that this is Riese Marni and my top priority! :) please come!
Alright, I was convinced. Spot reserved and plane ticket purchased! Woot!
!!!
excited feelings
Yep! Going solo :)I’m actually pretty nervous about it too. But I am sure it is going to be a fucking frickin weekend.
Derp.. I meant to say frickin awesome.
Going by myself too and as soon as I reserved my spot I had a moment of panic about meeting strangers / my family finally starting to suspect that I’m not on the lower half of the Kinsey scale. But you know what? I have a feeling this is going to be awesome.
And…spot reserved. Before pricing flights or checking my schedule. Not the most responsible decision I’ve made lately, but eff that noise, it’s Camp Autostraddle!
Smilin Hobbes – I’ll be going alone as well. Don’t worry about it! Plenty of opportunity to meet awesome new people (and I’m one of the aforementioned shy ones)
Any other Portlanders thinking about going?
I’m in Eugene, and I really, really want to go!
Do it!!!
I’m flying solo. I’m nice. And I’m sure a lot of other autostraddlers are nice too. :)
I’m flying from Philly solo. Kind of terrifying but that is just how much I love AS.
I’m probably flying out of Philly too!
Whyyyyyyy do all the nice things happen on the other side of the planet? Alternatively, I hope this speeds up you plans for world domination so we can have Camp Autostralia next.
Camp Autostralia should be a thing.
I would come too! I could probably even convince the wife. What can we do to make this happen? <- dead serious
Let’s do it. I’m keen.
I also am dead serious. But event planning isn’t my strong point. Anyone have any ideas??
We could try for some lower key meetups first and then see if there is momentum for a bigger thing…
It seems like most of the Australians are around Sydney, maybe a long weekend somewhere in that area next summer?
Yeah, if planning my wedding was any indication I am not the best event planner ever.
BUT SURELY WE COULD HIRE ONE RIGHT
Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley come to mind as obvious options. (Latter comes with BONUS WINE)
Sounds good you guys! I feel like there is plenty of cabin-style accommodation out there that could be hired at affordable prices.
Robin below made a good point that AS saved a lot of money by making a reservation just outside peak season, this might also be something for us to consider.
If Dee-Anne Smith will still be in Australia we should totally see if she would do a performance for us.
I almost have an MA in event planning, so there’s that?
@Cat, THERE IS THAT. There is that indeed.
oh man, i kind of wanna smack all of you who are like ‘oh no! i’m in [insert US state here] it’s too farrrrrr’ WHAT ARE YOU SERIOUS this is CAMP AUTOSTRADDLE! you’re in the correct nation! you’re on the correct side of the world! go do that effin’ thing!
intense frustration at living on the asshole of the world is makin’ me a bit crazy. i’m sorry. BUT SERIOUSLY.
Camp New Zealand!
Oh, I would totally go for that. Flights to NZ are much shorter/cheaper than to the States!
Camp AutostraliaNZ? (See what I did there, eh? Eh? Hah!) I could totally afford flights/a weekend in Aussie!
I’d totally be in for a camp autostralia!
Oh my goddess. I need to go. decently priced if not for airline costs
This sounds fantastic.
What is the lodging situation like? How many people per cabin? And will these be shared with strangers?
cabins can sleep between 6 and 20 people, depending on the cabin. it’s a site used for corporate retreats and so forth, so it’s nice (we’re secretly way too high-maintenance to actually camp, so).
we’ll be asking you all kinds of fun questions and taking requests and fielding concerns regarding your sleeping arrangements prior to arrival. I understand many of you will have special needs in this regard so we’ll be doing all we can to ensure y’all feel comfortable and safe.
if you travel with somebody/ies you’d like to lodge with, then let us know and we’ll make it happen. but yes, you probably will be sharing with strangers WHICH IS PART OF THE FUN!!!! seriously it is! after filling all requests, tentatively we’ll be grouping cabins by age, i think? but like everything here, we’re listening to you!
Can we request people to share cabins with? Because OMIGOD YOU GUYZ WE’RE GOING TO SUMMER CAMP AND THIS TIME I’M GOING TO DO IT GAY!!
IS ANYONE READING THE FAQ I SO CAREFULLY COMPOSED FOR YOU
(the answer is “yes”)
Hahaha I was waiting for this after seeing the question asked and answered 4 more times after the FAQ
TOO EXCITED TO READ DETAILS AGFUIGHEIOGHEWIOHGIOBNRWIOHNION
motherfucker. i have to go to a wedding that weekend.
probably you should say that you are protesting it until we have marriage equality
Riese for the WIN!
TOWANDA!!
we need a shuttle to leave from NYC. who’s got a private jet? i’ll call jay-z…
Yay for NYC straddlers!
I’d be so down to roadtrip from East coast to West coast!
seriously! and for it not to be 10 days before i graduate : (
festivus? drinkstravaganza? dont 4get sunglases & advil. and get yer asses over 2 fine line 4 the party!
Gaaaah why is this so far away?? I want to go!
I wanna go too! Let’s chat about this! (I mean, I totally can’t go, but let’s discuss anyway.)
Yesss.
If you think about it like, half the money is to go to Camp Autostraddle and half the money is for us to see each other, it becomes a bargain.
WHY DOES AUSTRALIA INSIST ON BEING SO FAR AWAY????
the 14 hour flight and airfare will be totally worth it.
i really want another Australian to go, partly so i won’t have to suffer through jetlag alone.
hey Crystal, how much do you think flights (departing Sydney) would be?
I have some friends I’ve been wanting to visit in California and some time to spare. It’s feeling like a crazy dream right now, but you know, it could be a thing.
Hey Im in aus and thinking of going. You can get reasonable return flights from sydney to la for 1300/1400 you just have to do some searching. It could be a thing!
sta travel appears to have flight deals for around $1000… HMMM. probably life will stop me, but maybe, just maybe it could be a thing.
hope you get to go :)
petra is right, you can pick up a return flight for about $1300. the prices can change every hour and so you have to be fairly on top of it to get the lowest fare.
a few weeks ago i thought attending camp was also this crazy dream but now look! my face is up there on that wall of attendees. i believe in you both, and in this.
hmm Crystal, this could be a thing. I am owed $1300 in outstanding scholarship moniez from my uni and this seems like a good thing to use it for.
the only thing stopping me is that i am pretty close to having a full-time grown up career-path-y job, and i should know by the end of next week whether that is also a thing. if i have a job then i can’t make it. but if i don’t, then there’s very little stopping me, i have been wanting to travel california for a few weeks anyway :)
i think you should dream big and try to do both things. #teamjetlag
Yep, Im with Crystal. Dream big, you can do both! Heaps of time for grown up jobs.
I would have gone, had I not just booked a holiday to the US for July/August damnit! Can they organise another one for August?
If I go to the airport and kindly explain that I can’t pay for my flights like ever, but that doesn’t matter because it’s for AUTOSTRADDLE, do you think they’ll understand!?
you could try it. i would.
i want to turn Australia into a giant continental ship so we can sail around the world visiting wherever and whoever we like. One week Autostraddle camp, the next week vacationing in the islands of Greece…
It would be worth it indeed, and I would be happily jet lagged. However, due to my moving interstate to Melbourne town a short while after it is not feasible. This better fucking happen again because I will be on that like cheese on vegemite!!!!!!!
Dizzy: Boatship Australia is the best idea ever (A-camp is the other best idea ever)
ooh, moving to Melbourne town? how excitement! that is also on my to-do list for the year. so much so I am thinking of just moving there without a job and then seeing what I can get. but I haven’t been truly unemployed for a long time and the thought kind of freaks me out.
if any Aussiestraddlers / Autostralians want to respond to this wonderful yet heartbreakingly far away A-camp business by holding some shenanigans down under, then count me in. Will travel to Sydney, Melbourne, or anywhere in between.
Seriously, lets make shenaningans happen. There seems to be heaps of Aussies around, it could be a thing.
I have good reasons to suspect that if this first event is a success, Camp Autostralia will be a thing.
We can tie Crystal to a chair and force her to tell us everything she learned… or just ask her, either way.
@dizzy she’s pretty easy to get information out of, especially if you ply her with vodka first.
See? This thing is halfway planned:
Step one: buy vodka/a chair (just in case)
Step two: Camp Autostralia happens.
Step three: PROFIT.
I am so keen. Camp autostratia ftw
Just in case ya missed it, I’m gonna ask again down here… can this be Camp AutostraliaNZ? I’d be down for flying to aussie, I need a holiday!
Super keen, plus I have lots of experience in running queer youth camps in NZ!
@Nicole I’m good with that :)
okay! i hear you. if A-Camp is a success then i’ll see what i can do about making Camp Autostraya/nz happen.
@Crystal And we didn’t even need to tie you to anything! You have at least one willing volunteer, reckon Camp AutostraliaNZ might be the only thing I ever need to put on my resume :)
Airline tickets make this unreasonable for me. Sigh.
This sounds so awesome. Please come to the Mid West. We have so much camp space!
^ ditto this!
I may have to ask my parents/grandparents/siblings/friends/pets/harry potter for financial aid for 600$ plane tickets SO I CAN GO TO THIS AWESOME, AWESOME EVENT.
yes you totally should julie!
let me know what harry potter says
I am super tempted to fly across the pond! This sounds amazing!!
This is amazing. You’re the most beautiful people, really. Truly.
I would potentially want to steal Laneia though..?
Registered! I am SO EXCITED.
UGH MY THESIS IS DUE THAT WEEKEND D: D: D:
I don’t really need to graduate, right?
me too me too me too ugh
same here same here
you could just hand it in early.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Oh. So. Tempting.
There should be an open mic for songs and spoken word and hot jams.
Ummm and a chocolate whiskey fountain.
And clothes-optional events slash glow-in-the-dark-body-paint parties.
chocolate whiskey fountain is maybe the best idea.
Can this please be a thing!?!?
glow in the dark body painting. yes. please.
Clothes optional glow in the dark body painting FTW!
seems i timed my moving to the US fairly well..!
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
I’m too excited to form real sentences!
The only real sentence you can form is the one stating that you cannot form any others.
Omfg why can’t you do this in the summer?! I work at a camp and April is insanely busy!!! Wahhhhhh I wanna go!
WHATTTTTTT, I’m going to be at Airborne School then! So the Army is, at once, being awesome and shitty? Pretty par for the course, actually…:(
despite my social awkwardness, i was so going to do this! i was going to go alone and it was going to be scary but i was going to make friends! and i was super excited! and then i got to the registration page and realized that it’s the weekend of my best friend’s wedding and i’m in her wedding party.
so.
blarggg. Y’ALL BETTER MAKE IT SUPER SUCCESSFUL SO THAT I HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY. :P
Reserving my spot as I type!
IDEA: Someone page Hannah Hart. My Drunk Kitchen s’mores edition needs to happen at A-Camp.
OH WORD.
I feel like somehow chocolate whiskey fountain + s’mores + hannah hart could be incorporated into one event.
WHAT IF HANNAH IS THE SECRET GUEST
shhhh
harto! that’s it, you guys.. how much is a kidney worth on the black market these days? will it cover a plane ticket from europe? ..i mean, you can still drink whiskey with just one kidney, right?
as a nursing student, my medical advice is ABSOLUTELY YES YOU CAN
If HH is there I think I might just die.
Oh geez… I did not intend to guess any secrets. That’s like being the fool who ruins a good movie by shouting out the ending.
I want L.P. to be the secret mystery guest. Into the Wild, anyone?
I CALLED IT
you guys, we’re going to do so many crafts.
What about dissecting owl pellets?
Yes yes yes!!!
this was always one of my favorite activities in school. especially when you got to glue the mouse skeleton together on a piece of paper.
you guys i just wanted to announce that laura wooley and i will be performing usher covers on the ukulele all weekend long
YEAH YEAH YEAH
it’s true.
This ukulele comment was one of the deciding factors in my putting down a deposit! Totes bringing my uke! So happy ukulele-playing-people will be there!
Laura, we’re gonna actually get to craft together!!!
I want to I want to I want to go!!!
Is it weird if I’m a high schooler and everyone else is way older and I feel odd and out of place? I’m 18!! That makes it legal right? Will I feel young and sad? Can I convince my parents to let me? These are important questions!!
it’s not weird at all! you won’t feel sad and no one will pick on you. maybe tell your parents that it’s a 3-day personal growth and fort-building workshop. parents love personal growth.
Same dilemma. If only I graduated just a little bit sooner! And didn’t live at home still… once I start college my parents can’t really say no to a 3 day lesbian camping extravaganza (they have an strong aversion to ok-ing anything that could end up with me in a sexual situation…), so I am SO there next time this happens.
I’m 18 too! You should totally come!
I hope there will a cuddle puddle scheduled on all the nights and a taco eating contest sometime during the weekend.
Pretty sure every night will be a taco eating contest.
Someone had to.
Would it be better to wait until I’m 21? So few months awayyyyyyyy
this is actually happening.
um this is my dream. I don’t think it is realistic for me to go, though, since I live on the East coast and don’t have my own income, and this is too cool to actually happen. HOWEVER, I hope there are Autostraddlers going to IvyQ at Brown in a couple days! It’s the next best thing, I guess!
Nope but I’ll be going to brown medical school in the fall weeeee
CONGRATS
(my crush on lizz grows and grows)
(wait is this going to be awkward if/when we actually meet at camp?)
(ugh lizz i am totally jk i mean not really but i promise i’m not creepy please don’t be weirded out when we meet)
(i need to stop)
(stopping now…)
Eeeee I am working a temporary job that will end shortly after that, so I feel weird taking a couple of days off…especially when I’ve already taken off a day for Coachella. But I will talk to my boss today and figure out the situation.
I am not sure if I can overcome my embarrassment/awkward feelings about being a queer girl who has never had a real queer relationship and is currently in a straight one. :/ Would that bother people?
re: the last part of your comment. that describes me exactly, and i’m pretty sure as loves us anyway. at least i hope so.
unfortunately i can’t afford to go to a-camp. i’m so broke can’t even afford to visit my boyfriend at this point in time (he lives in the states, i live in canada) and i have so many angsty feelings.
I was worried about this too, but I decided to go anyway. So I, at least, will not be bothered.
I’m going to Coachella too and workin out how to do both. Also, in trying to make “queers at coachella” a thing cause it should be.
I could not be more thrilled that this is happening and that I get to help plan all of these amazing activities for you guys!! I love your ideas and your comments.. keep em coming!! And spread the word!! xo
I second this emotion.
Dammit. I have a test in an hour, and all I’m going to be able to think about is this.
Oooh, camp activities.
Two words: Starcraft Tournament!
Three Other Words: Doctor Who Marathon! Oooh, you could have panel discussion on which companion is the cutest (Spoiler Alert: It’s Amy Pond)
Well, if I still lived in Cali, I would certainly consider it. I hope it goes well! ^_^
Yes please Doctor Who. Amy is definitely the cutest, but Donna is the best.
Absolutely a Doctor Who marathon!
Anyone play Settlers of Catan?? I’m newly addicted~
You had me at the word In.
I am too excited.
You have no idea (OK actually lots of you probably do) how insanely jealous I am of everyone who ends up going to this.
I wish tons o’ success on this magical fairy adventure so that it can happen again and again, preferably in many locations state-and-worldwide. :)
If Hanna Hart and her sexy drunk kitchen are the special guests I swear I might poop my pants.
Just sayin’…
Do you need a baby wipe?
OH MY FUCKING GOD I’M SO EXCITED Y’ALL
I’M GIVING EVERYONE A HAIRCUT JUST LIKE OPRAH GIVES EVERYONE CARS
fuck my thesis i’m going now
YOU GET A HAIRCUT
i want a haircuuuttttt
AND YOU GET A HAIRCUT
Haircut > M.A.
AND YOU GET A HAIRCUT TOO
Haircuts for everyone!! Or at least me. :P
I really need a haircut. But I feel like maybe I should get it cut before I go meet a bunch of lesbians in the woods.
Haircut FTW!
Holy crap! We could totally make this a thing! I’ll bring my gear, and while you’re giving haircuts, I can apply Merkins or Vajazzle their lady-parts! Full body make-overs!
SO MANY QUEERCUTS
LRTICU83LIRHXQ2LU3RNOV24THXOI4HRSL23RBNAERILUGHQLIWURBFL I CAN’T THINK I CAN’T BREATHE HOLY SHIT HOW THE FUCK AM I GONNA MAKE IT TO CALIFORNIA
oh my god how am i gonna afford this it may have been workable before i dropped 550 bucks on a tattoo last month WHY DIDN’T YOU GUYS TELL ME THIS SOONER
oh my god payment plan why can’t i read entire articles before commenting I AM TOO EXCITED TO START FIGURING OUT HOW TO MAKE THIS WORK i still can’t breathe
I’M A PILE OF GLITTER (SEE BELOW).
I STILL CAN’T.
That can be a problem.. just ask this guy…
What terrible, amoral things I would do for this adventure opportunity and included Camp Mona swag bag.
I pray for an east coast occasion next time.
I exploded into glitter upon reading about this amazing event.
I can’t even right now.
“exploded into glitter”
I LOVE that…I think I might have to use that at some point (with your permission lol)
On a sadder note, I can’t go even though I really, really, REALLY want to. Being in the army means you have to take leave and it’s a whole process. Plus, we are deploying soon and I want to save my leave and my money so that I can go home before we head out. I hope it goes well so that it can happen again!
Huge tax return, you specifically say you’ll try to make it ok for socially awful of us…its like the universe wants me to go. FUCKING FINALS.
I am seriously challenged at being a grown up. Please explain to me what you mean by “huge tax return” and how this is relevant to my life. Usually I email my dad with tax questions but this is something I would rather not email him about. Genuine plea for help??
If you made ~$7,000 or less, you don’t have to even file your taxes. Otherwise, get thy ass to an H&R Block or Liberty Tax with your W-2s (which will set you back about $150), and any relative tax docs from your school. I got a lot back this year because I borrowed a lot for school.
Thank you! On my way to faking this whole grown-up thing for one more day :)
Could there be another one planned if this one goes well?
yup
maybe in the middle of the country? PLEASE?
Or in a foreign country… like Mexico??
Or Europe??
AUSTRALIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
I guess there’s just one way to bring happiness to all of us:
WORLDTOUR!
Canada! Canada! We’re actually good for camping!
Camp A: Nebraska Edition?
YOU GUYS. this is what dreams are made of.
I’m always creepin’ on Autostraddle, but this just made me finally join. I WANT TO GO!
Meee tooo!
Me three!!
I also just put down my deposit money. So many emotions!
Me four!!!
This couldn’t have more of the things I love.
Me five!
there are 4 different fire circles and a large grassy field! i love that map so much.
HOLY MACKEREL I DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE THE PLAYGROUND.
So many feelings about this!!!!
Wish I could go but the timing is really bad, hopefully this is a massive success an I can go to another one in the future
ok just to let you guys know i made a deposit but have NO IDEA if this will actually be able to happen so in case it doesn’t, i got a spot for one of y’all.
LESBIAN FEMINIST JEOPARDY???? Can Riese be lesbian Alex Trebek?
alex vega = alex trebek
Of course this is during my university’s reading days. I hate you all.
And by “hate” I mean “love,” but still…
you can read at camp
WHAT?!
are we actually supposed to read during reading days/reading weeks?!
i go on vacation every year……..
:|
aw man! tht sounds so awesome! but i have a tourney and school then. the next one should be a summer camp! :]
Nooooo! I’m graduating on the 29th!! If only it could’ve been moved up like 2 days, then it would’ve landed during the week’s break I have between the end of the classes and graduation day. Sigh!
This sounds absolutely amazing though!
holy fuck this sounds like magical fantasyland i want to CRY
i’m in the uk but just knowing this is a thing that exists is making my heart swell up
This looks amazing…if only I could justify spending $600 on a plane ticket…um, maybe you should consider having one in Hawaii? Just saying. We have a lot of beaches. And rainbows.
But if it were in Hawaii it would be even harder for the majority of people to get tickets there. think about it
It would actually be easier for me.
AND IT’S ALL ABOUT ME RIGHT
Oh my goodness! I might actually do this, although no amount of assurance could ever totally tame my fear of going solo!
I’m going to offer my assurance anyway. We will be doing lots of ice breaker type things the first night that will help everyone get to know each other better. Plus, we’ll have lots of interns on hand to help integrate you and talk to you and be your friends like an RA in college. Also… think of how proud you’ll be of yourself, getting totally out of your comfort zone. By the end of the weekend, we’ll all have lots of new friends!
Wait….Does ice breaker mean the traditional type of ice breaker where you tell many people at the same time facts about yourself or is it something less terrifying?
Obvs we’ll be opening with trust falls
(jk)
She doesn’t even go here!
if whiskey was involved, that would make it easier.
I know so many icebreakers!
The thought of just how awesome this is definitely going to be is making my brain have seizures. A few more of those and then maybe I’ll be fully convinced to use all my money to just fly over from Europe, already. YOU GUYS I WANT TO COME SO BADLY, why is the Atlantic so big/expensive to cross?
Are dogs allowed
Hi Deb! Sadly the site doesn’t allow pets other than designated helper animals. Please apologize to your pups on our behalf.
if you bring your dogs disguised in some human clothes, i promise not to tell anyone that they’re secretly not just funny looking kids.
I know.. Arthur is really upset Carly and I are leaving him to go to camp. :(
NOOOOOOOOO I mean YESSSSSSSS but also nooooo I go to school in LA but I’m abroad in Paris this semester :[
By which I mean :] because Paris, but also :[ because I want so so so badly to be a part of A-Camp v1.0. Pinky swear there’ll be another?
I’d love to go, but I’m a Midwesterner on a travel budget. I’ll be in California in early April to visit 3 grad schools, but the official visit dates all end about 2 weeks before A-Camp starts. I can’t afford to squat in Cali until then.
The only way I can go to A-Camp is if I’m accepted to Stanford – its admitted students weekend ends just a few days before A-Camp, so I could just drive down from SF. Stanford’s decision just got more crucial…
Addenda:
Brilliant plan ladies. Whomever came up with this deserves a raise/promotion/benevolent glitter bomb.
I also vote for an East Coast version of A-Camp.
It would cost me $800 just for plane tickets so that’s not going to happen. BUT I think there should be Canada camp at some point! Everyone can get married, it’s perfect.
We’re considering road tripping it… do you live anywhere near Thunder Bay?
I’m in Newfoundland, so road tripping’s pretty much out, too. :( Although that would be a blast!
Hey! I live in Thunder Bay! I’ll road-trip with you. Or fly with you. I might even live in the same house as you. Maybe you’re cooking me breakfast as we speak?
Holding out for Europautocamp!!
Riese rejected my “A-Camp: Bring your A-Frame” slogan idea so I am repeating it here
haha… I like it.
This better be super duper successful. $300 is only £191 which would be totally do-able. UNFORTUNATELY the airfare is the killer and totally unaffordable so here’s what I’m going to do Autostraddle. I’ll donate a bunch of money this year. At the end of June I’ll hand in my PhD thesis, I’ll graduate and then get a real job. Then next year I’ll fly over and join youse all. That’s what I’ll do. Unless I win the lottery or come into a lot of money. Then I’ll be there.
So I was gonna go to Dinah Shore this year, haha FUCK THAT!
OH MY GAYS, I am so excited! I’ll be coming aaaaaaaall the way from the UK and it’s going to be so. fucking. worth. it.
But please don’t have Harto as the secret guest. I will queen out so bad on her, it will be traumatizing for all parties.
Also, there needs to be a five a side soccer tournament. And touch rugby. I’m happy to do coaching for touch rugby. I’m certified!
YAY!! That’s so awesome! :) This is all very exciting! A rugby tournament (game? match?) sounds like a great idea!
Touch rugby or scrag should work for beginners and if there’s at least 14 ruggers who play regularly we could have a 7s exhibition match type thing! So so so excited!
I am IN for a rugby match!
yes that is the same decision i made about dinah
This is obvs sooo much better than Dinah…..and potentially something my gf would actually attend!
Where will you be flying from, currently looking at flying from Manc or Birmingham International… I’m pretty sure my student loan wasn’t intended for a queer vacation to California, but i think i can deal with being homeless and starving for three months. Although i’m not sure i could cope with being unable to afford cigarettes and whiskey for three months.
OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH
well i could go to this or to russia and croatia for two weeks this summer…. agggg two once in a lifetime opportunities in the same year when i have no money ever. ima just go rob a 1%er or something. womp womp
camp A > russia
Ever since I was young I wanted to go to a sleep-away camp….All my dreams are coming true!!
I am so ridiculously excited for this that I am seriously contemplating registering and flying out all the way from Nebraska :)
like really my heart fell out of my chest when I saw it on the home screen
omg
I really want to go, but I’d feel like such a little kid around everyone. I’m only 17.
OTHER THOUGHT: Will there be snow?
no
Strip poker, y/n?
Deal me in.
poker in the back, liquor in the front!
sorry guys
The door was wide open…
when you said there was something exciting happening in april, i did not imagine anything close to this amazing.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED SOMEBODY TO SAY
me neither but i’m so glad it is
Oh my god, it’s like gay girl scout camp.
I’ve never wished I lived in California more than I do right now.
Sitting in a cafe (where no homos play) in this broken down citae, annotating my literature review draft, I’ve written in the column –
1) oh my lordy AS CAMP!!
2) writing/knowing how to write –> important
3) i need to buy a plant
I hope everyone who goes has the time of their lives! How amaze
You make me want to sell my Coachella weekend 2 tickets for this once in a life time lesbian camp. Oh God. Decisions.
You ladies should have one in the Summer. This coincides with Coachella and it hurts my feelings, a little bit.
The thing about having camp in the summer is it is LOADS more expensive. So this was our way of making sure it was warm enough for us all to be outside and not be too much money! Sorry! I wish we could have it in the summer, (or in NY in April for that matter)!!!, but its cold or expensive either of those ways.
I would so bundle up for an A-camp in NYC! :)
I’m down for A-camp in NYC!!
How about A-camp in Connecticut? A short, cheap Metro-North ride away, and probably considerably cheaper to book. Just saying… :)
[I will not be a downer. I will not whine. I will not be a whining downer.]
A-Camp is a fantastic idea. I predict it will also be a fantastic reality and a wild success. Hope everyone has a great time (mellow and groovy vibes sent, especially to the socially awkward peoples—aka my variety of peoples).
[Remarkable job, self. Being happy for others is nice. Four for me.]
You are a more remarkable person than me.
I just play a remarkable person on the Internet. Sometimes.
This is probably the most jealous I’ll be all year.
REMEMBER GIMP?
Don’t even get me started, I know how to make the butterfly, the box and the Chinese staircase…
Omg, I still can’t.
I CAN’T PROCESS ALL THIS AWESOME!!!! IT’S LIKE I’M BACKED UP, CONSTIPATED, OMFG TOO MUCH AWESOME, AS, TOO MUCH.
omg you can do square? i could never do square. i was the crafts instructor one year and i had to get other female counsellors to teach their kids square for me. bra you have to show me.
I wish I wasn’t house bound with health problems… and that you guys were in europe! :(
My April is looking reeeeeeaal good right about now!
Wow. Just wow! Way to come up with all of the ideas!!! Now I just need to come up with monies! This is probably the most awesome event evar!!!!! I don’t even feel like missing Dinah matters at all because this exists! Yay for nerds and social awkwardness ;)
This sounds absolutely amazing. I hope it is a ROUSING success so there can be more and maybe if its on the East Coast next time I can go!
Also please post lots and lots of pictures and stories and things after its over so those of us who can’t go can live vicariously through all of the lucky mofos who do go.
AVA YOU SHOULD JUST COME
Damnit, it’s times like this I curse living in Australia.
If I had a spare $1500 I’d so book a plane right now, but alas I am poor. :(
Let me trade spots with you. Australia is full of beautiful women with a sexy accent. *Drools*
Is there any way for those of us that can’t go to “sponsor” or have some sort of scholarship for someone that can’t go for financial reasons?
yes, this!
oh, that’s a lovely idea!
dude this would be amazing. I am broke as hell.
omg yes you are wonderful
omg so broke here
you are awesome for this idea
okay, i love this idea so so so much (and someone else suggested it below) and we’d actually discussed something similar, but i’m wondering how we would be able to pull it off w/r/t who would be the recipient of said sponsorship funds? like how would we decide who got them? would we do a lottery? ideas?
Maybe half/half. Total amt. donated/sponsored to be split into two groups: one for full free rides (maybe selected at random or voted on based by most compelling story, I don’t know) and one to be divided up among everyone else who requested financial support to help subsidize their cost?
Probably those are horrible ideas but I want everyone to be able to come and Ellen should basically sponsor like 200 Autostraddlers in need, so…
I actually think FFAF has a good idea there. I also think it depends highly on the amount of money that is donated. If you only get enough for two full camp fees, then perhaps just do a lottery for two lucky winners. If you get enough for four or five full camp fees, perhaps split it into two full scholarships and several partial scholarships. I like the idea of a random drawing over some kind of write in process, but that’s just me.
Perhaps do a week long Autostraddle-is-fucking-awesome A-Camp Scholarship funds drive, see how much you get, and go from there. And I am totally down for donating some $$ to help fellow ASers get to camp!
So who’s bringing Catchphrase? Because that’s mandatory I think.
i volunteer.
i’ll bring taboo!
I’ll bring Settlers of Catan!
I got apples to apples and scrabble.
If I hadn’t just spend all my travel monies on going to Las Vegas at the beginning of April- boo! This sounds amazing!
Justin Bieber? Hahah JK.
Sounds like a blast too bad I have class that thursday. – – I cud go friday- Sunday though!