Camp · Specialty · Ages 6–14
Directory · United States · Washington DC · Washington
▌ Specialty · Ages 6–14

Camp Free2Be

Tenleytown/Van Ness

Camp Free2Be is a free summer day camp in Washington D.C. for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies, focusing on community building, skill development, and fun.

▌ Editor's read Camp Free2Be is a free summer day camp for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies, aged 13-18, located in Washington D.C. The camp is operated by SMYAL (Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth. The website states that staff and volunteers undergo background checks and receive training in youth development and LGBTQ+ competency. The program includes activities such as arts and crafts, sports, leadership development, and field trips, aiming to foster community and skill-building. While the camp itself does not have a separate Google Business Profile, SMYAL, the parent organization, has a Google rating of 4.9 stars based on 100 reviews, with many reviewers praising their supportive environment and positive impact on youth. The camp's social media presence is primarily through SMYAL's accounts, with an Instagram handle @smyal_dc and a Facebook handle SMYALDC. The website does not mention ACA accreditation or specific staff-to-camper ratios.
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 6–14

Camp Free2Be sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right specialty fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Day camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
Not listed
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Specialty
  • Ages: 6–14
  • Address: 410 7th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003, USA
  • Cost notes: USD. Camp is free, but a donation is requested.

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Camp Free2Be

What ages does Camp Free2Be accept?
Camp Free2Be is open to children ages 6–14. 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 Free2Be cost?
Camp Free2Be doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. USD. Camp is free, but a donation is requested. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
Who runs Camp Free2Be?
Camp Free2Be is operated by a nonprofit organization. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Camp Free2Be provide lunch?
Camp Free2Be 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 Free2Be compare to other specialty camps in Washington?
Camp Free2Be is one of 13 specialty camps in Washington 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 Free2Be with other camps.

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