Camp fYrefly
Camp fYrefly is Canada's only national leadership retreat for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, offering a safe and empowering space for personal growth and community building.
▌ Editor's read Camp fYrefly is an overnight leadership retreat for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, operated by the Centre for Sexuality, a non-profit organization. The camp has been running for 20 years, having started in 2004, and was founded by Dr. Kristopher Wells. The website mentions that all staff and volunteers undergo a criminal record check, including a vulnerable sector check. While specific Google reviews for 'Camp fYrefly Kananaskis' were not readily available, the Centre for Sexuality, which runs the camp, has a Google rating of 4.8 stars from 104 reviews, with reviewers often praising their inclusive and supportive environment. The camp is not accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), which is expected as it is a Canadian camp. The program focuses on leadership development and community building for 2SLGBTQ+ youth aged 14-24.
Who thrives here Ages 13–17
Camp fYrefly serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in overnight/sleepaway, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- 2006 (20 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
- Ages: 13–17
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: Kananaskis, AB, Canada
- Cost notes: CAD. $565 per participant. Subsidies are available.
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about Camp fYrefly
- What ages does Camp fYrefly accept?
- Camp fYrefly is open to children ages 13–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Camp fYrefly cost?
- Camp fYrefly publishes $565/week for the standard session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Camp fYrefly's hours?
- Camp fYrefly runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs Camp fYrefly?
- Camp fYrefly is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 20 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Camp fYrefly provide lunch?
- Camp fYrefly does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- How does Camp fYrefly compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Kananaskis?
- Camp fYrefly is one of 8 overnight/sleepaway camps in Kananaskis that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp fYrefly with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Day camp vs. overnight camp · Decide whether the format fits your child and schedule.
- Packing list and camp prep · Plan gear, medication notes, labels, and drop-off prep.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp fYrefly.
- Camp Cadicasu EKTA (Teen Overnight, Kananaskis AB) - Alt Session · Kananaskis, AB · Ages 13–15 · $750/week
- Camp fYrefly - Alberta North · Camp Chief Hector · Ages 14–21 · $565/week
- Camp fYrefly - Alberta South · Camp Chief Hector · Ages 13–17 · $565/week
- Camp fYrefly - Saskatchewan · Camp Chief Hector · Ages 14–21 · $565/week
- Tim Horton Children's Ranch · Tim Horton Children's Ranch · Ages 12–16
- Camp Cadicasu EKTA (Teen Overnight, Kananaskis AB) · Kananaskis, AB · Ages 13–15 · $750/week
- Camp fYrefly - Ontario · Camp Chief Hector · Ages 14–21 · $565/week