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campfires. Meyer estimated that last
year, approximately 20 of the 600
campers chose the third option.
“Tawonga has a long history of
only offering girls’
and boys’
cabins,
but it’
s become clear in recent years
that that doesn’
t work for all kids,”
Meyer said. “So, we wanted to cre-
ate another option so that all kids
can live in a cabin that reflects their
gender identity.”
The two cabins — one for chil-
dren going into fifth and sixth
grades and one for those going into
seventh and eighth grades — will
each accommodate 12 campers and
be offered only during the fourth
session of camp as a pilot program.
After that, a decision will be made
about making the arrangement per-
manent.
Unlike the boys’
and girls’
cabins,
the all-gender cabins will have a
no-nudity rule. Campers can choose
to change in the bathroom, in their
sleeping bags or behind a privacy
curtain.
As for who will staff the cabins,
Meyer said that a lot of counselors
have expressed interest.
“We haven’
t decided yet, but they
will be excellent counselors who get

additional training in working with
diverse campers,” she said.
The response in the Tawonga
community has been overwhelm-
ingly positive, Meyer said. “It’
s
so heartening to see so many of
our campers, alumni and parents
expressing their enthusiasm for the
pilot and showing their support for
the initiative,” she said.
That includes Jonathan, who is
now even more excited to return to
Tawonga, and Jonathan’
s mom.
“Since my cabin will be all-gender,
no one has to feel left out. Everyone
will be included,” said Jonathan,
who uses all pronouns interchange-
ably.
Nancy Brunn said that while there
are plenty of summer camps just for
kids like Jonathan, she wants her
child to have the Jewish summer
camp experience.
“Sometimes I’
ll talk to parents of
other trans and nonbinary kids who
think camps [specifically designed]
for those kids are their only option.
To hear that the Jewish community
has a place that is so welcoming
makes the world feel a little more
expansive,” Brunn said. ■

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