“The Affinity Camps give BIPOC and Queer youth tools to be successful in a complicated world... Hopefully, campers will come away from their experience inspired to use those tools to lead and make an impact in the world..to take space in places where they’ve been underrepresented [less visible].”
Anthony Guan ’21, 2024 Queer Counselor in Training Camp co-director and former BIPOC Camp counselor
In the summer of 2021, Athenian launched its first overnight Affinity Camp. With a few corporate sponsors and a deep commitment to access, the BIPOC Affinity Camp (serving rising 7th and 8th graders) was pay what you can from its inception. The following summer, Athenian launched its LGBTQIA+ & Allies Affinity Camp (now called Queer Counselor in Training or QCIT). Following the same overnight, pay what you can model, QCIT served–and continues to serve–slightly older youth–rising 8th, 9th and 10th graders. From the start, Athenian alumni and students have played a role in both camps–working as counselors and even directors. Last summer 10 alumni and current students worked as counselors and directors. Meanwhile, the campers are intentionally a mix of Athenian and non-Athenian students.
Athenian alumni who work in the Affinity Camps share a commitment to the vision and purpose of the camps as well as a connection to camp participants. Victoria Akinsanya ’18, who has worked in the BIPOC camp as a co-director since 2023, says, "This is the camp I would have wanted to go to, my work and extended preparation is in hopes of providing the experiences, development, and resources that I didn’t know I needed when I was in middle school.” Anthony Guan ’21, now in his fourth year and returning for his second year as the QCIT Camp co-director. While the campers are only here for eight days, the work to prepare for their arrival is well underway months in advance. Anthony has been working from afar to help plan for the upcoming summer. As someone with an intersectional identity, Anthony has been involved in both Affinity Camps. He enjoys the leadership opportunity, but more importantly, he is inspired by the camp's impact on participants and how it resonates with his own personal experience and journey as a young, Queer, person of color. He says, “Having an affinity space where you can feel transported into a micro community with those with shared identity was critical to my own path and Athenian experience and I feel passionate about the school using its resources to help make this type of formative opportunity available to others.”
While sometimes a hurdle for parents, the boarding component of both Affinity Camps is critical to the overall experience. Founded as a boarding school, the value and impact of a 24-hour education is at the core of Athenian’s mission. The learning and connection that happens in the informal interactions while living together is priceless–and there is simply nothing else quite like it in the Bay Area. In her role as co-dorm head both during the regular school year and for camp, Victoria notes, “community is built in simple day to day interactions, over meals, casual conversations and evening campfires.” Anthony, who was a boarding student for part of his time at Athenian, says, “The boarding component is quite important in the development of our camp…it really creates a space where you are not living in two worlds. You don’t have to switch from a camp to home mindset.”
Do you know someone who would be interested in attending this summer’s camps? Get in touch! Detailed camp information and registration here. Interested in supporting camp access or getting involved? Reach out to Odalis De La O Cortes.
“Something I’ll take away from BIPOC Camp is that I have a whole community of people like me behind me to support my ambitions. I valued the experiences with other BIPOC students and sharing things without being shamed.” - BIPOC camper
QueerCIT Camp dates: June 16-23, 2024
Pay what you can (actual cost per camper: $2,000)
BIPOC Camp dates: July 8-20, 2024
Cost: Pay what you can (actual cost per camper: $3,200)
