Camp fYrefly
Camp fYrefly is a leadership retreat for queer and trans youth ages 14 - 24. In a fun and social environment, campers develop skills that will positively impact their lives, homes, schools, and communities. Educational and art workshops, Indigenous programming, nature, and a supportive team create space for emerging change-makers to learn, explore their identity, and build resilience. Camp Fyrefly supports queer youth by offering life-saving resources and skills.
Check out the Program pages for more information or the location nearest you to apply.
History
The program was founded in 2004 by Faculty of Education researchers and educators Dr. André P. Grace and Dr. Kristopher Wells at the 九秀直播. Camp fYrefly began as a university-community educational outreach project that researched the needs of sexual and gender diverse youth. It has since evolved into a 4-5 day volunteer-based summer leadership retreat and is now Canada’s only national sexual and gender diversity youth leadership camp affiliated with a major research university.
fYrefly Name
The firefly was selected because they are the only insect that produce their own energy. The first campers developed the acronym “FYREFLY” using this inspiration.
“a great place for lgbt+ youth to connect and express themselves with little judgement and full support.”
Last Updated: February 12, 2024
Hello campers, volunteers, parents, guardians and friends,
Our teams are making plans for in-person camp again this summer! YAY! Each location will have their own guidelines that adhere to the public health measures for their region and organization, along with any additional measures needed to help keep participants safe. Please reach out to us at fyrefly@ualberta.ca with any questions or concerns.
"I feel more connected to myself and my community."