Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At Hiram House Camp, we believe diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of a flourishing camp experience. Hiram House Camp empowers positive change in the world when youth and adults of all backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and abilities are valued and actively engaged in summer and overnight camp activities and leadership. Together, we strive to create an expansive and inclusive camp community that is open and promotes equity in education across a diversity of ideas, experiences, perspectives, and voices.

Gender Diversity and Inclusion at Hiram House Camp

Hiram House Camp values and celebrates all campers and staff, including those who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. Hiram House Camp has welcomed campers and staff who are part of the lesbian, gay, and bi communities for many years, as well as trans and nonbinary campers.

Housing

Trans and gender-diverse campers are welcome in any cabin. While we will continue to refer to the “girls cabin” and “boys cabin,” all cabins are inclusive of trans and nonbinary campers. Specifically…

The girls side welcomes cisgender girls (assigned female at birth and identify as female), trans girls (assigned male at birth and identify as female), trans boys (assigned female at birth and identify as male), and nonbinary campers (assigned either male or female at birth and identify as neither or both male and female).

The boys side welcomes cisgender boys (assigned male at birth and identify as male), trans girls (assigned male at birth and identify as female), trans boys (assigned female at birth and identify as male), and nonbinary campers (assigned either male or female at birth and identify as neither or both male and female).

Prior to arrival at camp, campers can indicate at registration their gender identity which will help us assign their living quarters while at camp. If they want to switch cabins after arriving at camp, Camp Directors will help make new arrangements according to which cabin serves them best. Depending upon a camper’s comfort level, parents will not always be notified if their camper switches cabins.

In keeping with our prior policies, families will not be notified of the names, medical histories, or any other personal information about their child’s cabin mates before, during, or after their session.

Changing and Bathrooms

All cabins have lockable bathroom stalls and a shower/changing room with private curtains. Campers and Counselors will be encouraged to use a private changing space and are required to use it during full changes. Public nudity will not be permitted in any cabin.

Gender Inclusive Bathrooms are in the Rotary Cabin, Fire Station and the Taylor Hall Dorm Hallway. Men’s and Women’s restrooms will continue as is in the Dining Hall.

Gender Expression

Hiram House Camp believes there is no “right way” to be a girl or boy and encourages all campers to be themselves regardless of cabin or day camp group. Campers may wear whatever makes them comfortable; no campers will be expected to dress “like a girl” or “like a boy.” There remains no dress code at Hiram House, except that clothing may not include references to drugs, alcohol, sex, profanity, or other slogans or images that may be threatening or offensive to others.

Names and Pronouns

Hiram House Camp Staff and Campers will respect and use the names and pronouns that correspond with how they introduce themselves. If a camper or staff chooses to use a different name or pronouns than those listed on their registration form, we will use the name and pronouns campers use for themselves.

Counselors and Staff

Hiram House Camp Counselors are assigned to cabins or day camp groups based on gender identity—and always have been. All Staff undergo a thorough background checks and professional training, including sessions on child sexual abuse prevention, supervision, bullying, and how to care for campers of all gender identities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will I be notified if a trans camper is in my child’s cabin or group?

A: No. In keeping with our prior policies, families will not be notified of the names, medical histories, or any other personal information about their child’s cabin mates before, during, or after their session.

Q: Will I be notified if my camper has a trans Counselor?

A: No. In keeping with our prior policies, families will not be notified of the names, medical histories, or any other personal information about their child’s Counselors before, during, or after their session. All Staff undergo background checks, a week long pre-camp training including training on child sexual abuse prevention and how to care for campers of all gender identities.

Q: Will the inclusion of trans or gender diverse campers take away from my camper’s experience?

A: Not at all! Creating a tight-knit community within each cabin remains the cornerstone of the Hiram House Camp experience. We will continue to train Counselors that there are many ways to identify and express ourselves, and all identities and self-expressions will be accepted and celebrated in all camp groups and cabins—as they always have been at Hiram House.

Q: Will Campers and Counselors discuss gender identity at camp?

A: Maybe! It’s difficult to predict what topics of conversation will arise as campers and Counselors share about their lives. We do not have any kind of gender identity curriculum, but if gender identity comes up in conversation, we do not feel it is off limits, just as race, ethnicity, religion, and other topics are not off limits when discussed with respect and authenticity. Counselors receive training on how to lead age-appropriate conversations, prevent and respond to bullying, and (if necessary) refocus everyone’s attention toward camp.

Q: Do other camps have policies like these?

A: Yes! Hiram House is accredited by the American Camp Association, a national organization that sets standards for health, safety, and program quality for over 2,400 camps across the nation. The American Camp Association provides guidance for working with gender diverse campers.