Q&A's
Please read all of these before applying!
What is Trans Camp?
It's a free, 4-day, 3-night group tent camping event for two-spirit, trans, and nonbinary adults!Our goal is to create trans joy, community, connection to each other, and connection to nature. We do that by providing a special transnormative space in beautiful life-giving natural surroundings with some pretty cool people.We find that creating a two-spirit, trans, & nonbinary community together is amazingly liberating. <3
Who is Trans Camp for?
It's for two-spirit, trans, and nonbinary adults, using a broad definition of "two-spirit", "trans" and, "nonbinary". If you think that's you, that's you!We use an application process as we want to prioritize space for BIPOC and other marginalized and isolated folks within our community. We want to have a vibrant community of diverse backgrounds, identities, abilities, camping experiences, and ages. Using an application process also helps us do some basic screening to keep us as safe as we can.We expect most of our applicants to be based in Montana, but we welcome folks who live nearby (ie. Idaho, Wyoming, the Dakotas), especially those who have difficulty access trans community where they live!
How do I apply?
Submit the form here before the end of day April 20. <3
When is it?
Friday, May 24th to Monday May 27th! That's Memorial Day weekend!!You can arrive between 2pm-7pm on Friday. Later is OK if you're confident in your ability to set up a tent in low/no light, but coming earlier is always advised so that you can meet folks before sunset! We leave by 12pm (noon) on Wednesday.
Where is it?
Trans Camp 3 is in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, about 30 minutes from Bozeman, 2 hrs from Butte, 2.5 hrs from Billings, 3.5 hrs from Missoula and Great Falls. See more information about the location here!We don't give the exact location except to accepted applicants, for safety.
How many campers will be there?
We are estimating that we can fit about 20 tents at the campground! We're limited by the number of tents, not the number of people, so the exact number will depend on how many people are planning to share a tent with a friend and/or partner.If you and a pal are both planning on applying, please consider sharing a tent if you are comfortable! This allows us to accept more applicants. If you do plan to share a tent, please submit one application for the entire tent (you and your pal).If you are coming alone, no worries! We anticipate that most campers will be coming on their own. We won't ask or have you share a tent with a stranger.
What will it be like there?
It's a primitive car campground -- that means you drive into the campground, but there's no running water, only one pit toilet (it's not as bad as it sounds if that's new to you), and you sleep in a tent. On the ground!There is trash disposal at the campground, but no bear-safe storage containers. You will need to keep all your food and cookware in your car.There is one large shelter at the campsite, with picnic tables and a campfire grill. There is also one large campfire ring surrounded by several more picnic tables.The campsite rests right alongside a creek and has direct access to the creek, including a few spots that are good for wading and hanging out in the water.It's wonderful. <3
Are there activities?
It's an unstructured time at Trans Camp! That means we don't give you a schedule except a window to show up and a time by which we must leave.An unscheduled several days might feel uncomfortable, but we recommend you embrace discomfort as long as you remain safe & able! What an unstructured space means is that we don't tell you what to do; you and the new wonderful folks you meet decide what to do based on your interests, abilities, relationships, nature, and general vibes.To paraphrase adrienne maree brown, "There's a conversation in this camp that only these people at this moment can have. Find it."That said, there are so many things to do! Meet all the wonderful new people, sit by the river, go on a walk, go on a hike, try to start a fire, see gorgeous viewpoints, share your interests, chill by the group campfire, do some art, take some photos, look at a tree, organize a group to go travel to Yellowstone, roast some marshmallows, write in a journal, play an RPG, go fishing, lay in your tent, read some zines, write a zine, organize for when you get home, whatever else you and your new community can think of!
How much does it cost?
It's free! You will need basic camping equipment, including a tent, sleeping bag, flashlight or head lamp, water, and food. BUT, we also provide mutual aid (ie. free camping equipment) for those who need it. We also highly encourage sharing food and water, so you won't go hungry/thirsty. If you need food/water and have uncommon dietary restrictions, let us know.
How do I get there?
You'll need a ride, as there's no transit going to the campground. But, we may be able to arrange carshares.That means if you have a vehicle, you may be asked to give rides to others nearby if you have room. If you don't have a vehicle, we'll do our best to get you a ride!It's possible that if there are an unusually few number of campers with vehicles, or if you live far away from others, that we won't be able to get you a ride, but we'll really try.Please don't let lack of a vehicle discourage you from applying!
Is food provided?
Not by the organizers. That means you'll be able to have a relationship with food at camp that works for you. I like to bring mostly ready-to-eat food and many many snacks, others love their camp cooking setups, and some like cooking with the fire.Part of the "joy" of Trans Camp for many people is making and sharing their food -- that's encouraged but that's completely optional. You won't go hungry if you let others know you'd like to share a meal. We also won't be very far from Bozeman, so you will easily be able to travel into town for food and other supplies.Many trans folks are vegan or have other dietary restrictions. If you have an uncommon restriction that folks are unlikely to have food for, please let us know either in the application or afterwards (we'll have a group chat!).Also, we each have very different backgrounds and cultures around food. You're encouraged to bring and share what works for you and not just stick to "campfire foods" from the dominant culture here.
Is the campground accessible?
The National Park Service lists the campground and toilets as ADA accessible. That said, it will depend on your needs. The camp setup you bring (tent, etc.) or request will also need to be accessible. The ground there is mostly flat and grassy. The trail at our campsite is hard dirt/gravel. If it has been rainy, the ground could be muddy. There will also be smoke around the campfires with smell that sticks to clothes, and noise including music, but we'll all try to be respectful. Please enter any accessibility needs in the applications and reach out with any questions!
What COVID precautions are taken?
We require that all campers take a COVID test 48 hours prior to arrival and once again once at the campground. We'll have COVID tests on site and can provide tests for those who need them before arrival.Most of our space is outdoors, except for one shelter. We find that the outdoor nature of tent camping is the best COVID precaution, but we will also have masks available on site. Let's keep each other safe!
Can my dog come?
So, dogs are allowed at the campground! However, some attendees may have a fear of dogs, and it does make things more complicated to consider having dogs present, especially if they are reactive or multiple people are hoping to bring dogs.If you are hoping to bring your dog, please include that information in your application and we can talk about it more!Service dogs are of course allowed but please let us know in your application.
Can my cis partner/friends come?
Nope. We appreciate our cis allies, but part of the magic of Trans Camp is having a transnormative space where people can feel safe and have an escape from Cis Land.
Can my trans partner/friends come?
Yes! If you're sharing a tent, please submit one application together. Please do what you can to connect with new folks in camp and grow our community rather than sticking amongst yourselves! <3
Will there be cell service?
There is about one bar of cell service at the campground (at least for T-Mobile and Verizon). The campground is not further than 20 minutes from very good service.
Will there be substances?
This is not a sober event, but you are very welcome to be sober if you choose! Please be respectful of others and understand that folks have different relationships to substances and sobriety.You can bring what you'd like (cannabis, alcohol, etc) as long as you stay in control, don't drive, don't be aggressive, don't make others uncomfortable, don't wander off trails, be very careful around fires, be very very careful around water, and just be safe & cool in general.
What about bears?
According to the forest service, there are bears in the area, but they rarely approach or hurt people. The most important bear safety practice is to always keep food (including food waste) locked up in cars at night. See here for more info about bears in the area and how to stay safe.
What about other safety?
We keep each other safe, and that includes you keeping yourself safe! If you don't get too intoxicated, drive safe, be careful around fires and the river, watch your surroundings, and don't wander into the wilderness, the risk is low! We (as in the organizers) aren't responsible for your safety, but as a community let's watch out for each other. <3
Who are you??
Hi! I'm Benny, a white, transmasculine individual living on the traditional lands of the Salish, Kootenai, and Kalispel peoples (so-called "Missoula"). I grew up in the Seattle area and started graduate school at the University of Montana in 2022. Earlier that year, I attended the first ever Seattle Trans Camp and had such a special, healing experience that I rapidly became involved in organizing them too! I am also involved in the Missoula trans community as a facilitator for the Center's Transgender, Intersex, and Nonbinary support group.I have found being in the diverse, radical, transnormative spaces of Trans Camps to be some of the most meaningful experiences of my life. My first Trans Camp taught me about the joy that comes directly from, not in spite of, my transness. The community I've formed at these events is one that I know I can rely on and love to contribute to, and includes some of my best friends and connections I see having for a lifetime. I love Trans Camp so much I wanted to host one in Montana too!I'll be the main person organizing for this Montana Trans Camp, with some assistance from other Seattle Trans Joy organizers as we get things up and running for the first time! You can find more information about Seattle Trans Joy and their past events I've contributed to here.
What should I bring?
We'll send a list of recommended things to bring after accepting folks! Just general camping stuff, though. You're highly encouraged to bring activities, art, and interests to share with others.Required (either bring your own or ask for assistance): Tent, sleeping bag/camp blanket, weather appropriate clothes, flashlight or headlamp, any meds/hormones/health needs, sunscreen, lots of water, food for the entire timeRecommended: Camp chair, sleeping pad or blow-up mattress, bug spray (unknown if they'll be around), first aid suppliesOptional: Games & other activities, art supplies, instruments, camp cooking/boiling equipment, earplugs, etc