To launch Pride Month with purpose, YMCA Calgary and the Centre for Sexuality hosted a special screening of Summer Qamp. The film follows a week at Camp fYrefly, a summer camp for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth run by the Centre for Sexuality and hosted each year at Camp Chief Hector YMCA. The event brought together staff, volunteers, alumni, families, and community allies for an evening rooted in courage, connection, and candid conversation.
Summer Qamp, honoured in 2023 at both the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF), invites viewers into the lives of campers at Canada’s only national leadership camp for queer and trans youth. Through stargazing, campfires, and heartfelt conversations, the film captures more than just coming-of-age stories — it captures what one youth called “the right to exist without having to explain.”
After opening remarks from Tanis Cochrane, YMCA Calgary COO, and Pam Krause, President and CEO of the Centre for Sexuality, guests were treated to a screening of Summer Qamp. The evening continued with a thoughtful and inspiring panel discussion, moderated by Darren Silva from the Centre for Sexuality. The panel featured Marshall Vielle, artist in residence/camp coordinator; Wren Fitzsimmons, past camper; Jan Ferrara, parent; and Rosanna Sing, volunteer. This group of camp leaders, parents, and youth shared personal stories of acceptance, vulnerability, and the transformative power of community.
“Camp gives youth the freedom to let go of judgment, just be kids again and have fun!” said Marshall, a Camp Chief Hector counsellor who’s seen that magic firsthand.
For Wren, one of the youth participants, the experience was deeply personal: “I didn’t have a lot of queer representation growing up. This was a gift. I didn’t want to leave.”
When asked what queer joy means, panelists spoke of moments like shared meals, starry skies, unfiltered laughter, where queer youth feel free to express themselves fully, without fear or explanation. “We’re not a monolith,” one speaker shared. “Queer joy is being uniquely, unapologetically yourself, and having fun doing it.”
But Summer Qamp wasn’t just a celebration of identity, it was a call to action. As several panelists shared, creating inclusive spaces means leaving assumptions at the door and simply being human to one another. For parents, it’s about ensuring their kids get to experience all the joys of adolescence, friendships, first crushes, goofy memories, without fear, judgement, or discrimination.
As Wren so perfectly put it: “You don’t need to understand me. I only ask that you see me and accept me for being me — because I’m pretty awesome.”
At YMCA Calgary, we believe allyship isn’t a title but a way of life. It’s in the way we listen, how we show up, and the spaces we choose to shape. We’re honoured to host Camp fYrefly at Camp Chief Hector YMCA, a place where joy is shared, voices are lifted, and every young person is free to shine.
Because joy isn’t something earned. It’s something everyone deserves.
You can make a difference! At this year’s Pride Parade, we will be raising funds to provide financial subsidies for fYrefly campers. Save 31 August in your calendar and look out for our Pride Parade registration form coming soon!