By: Jose Carranza
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. (UATV) –A Fayetteville church looks to help the LGBTQ+ community by hosting a summer camp.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church plans to host the “Queer” camp this summer.
Church Pastor, Clint Schnekloth said that in previous years the church hosted Science & Faith and Interfaith Camp but that “this year seemed the right year to finally do a Queer Camp.”
According to the camp registration page, some of the activities the camp will include:
- Relationship skills and yoga training at the park
- Theater and improv
- Art and makeup with guest stylists and artists
- A collaborative community art project
- Gardening
- A processing component about gender identity and sexual orientation
- Hearing testimonials from our leadership team about their journey
- Lunch and dinner every day
- Field trips to local destinations (Arkadia, Modern Mission)
- Community service projects
Earlier this month, Arkansas put into law the SAFE Act. The controversial bill, HB 1570, saw a veto from Governor Asa Hutchinson on April 5th.
The following day, the Arkansas house voted 71-24 and the Senate 25-8 to override the governor’s veto. The bill made Arkansas the first state to ban gender-affirming healthcare to the transgender youth.
Schnekloth said, “the trans bills will be inspiration for us to help people connect, and for us to provide resources and educational materials so young trans people are supported and resourced.”
“We have a community of young people right now who need hope,” said Schnekloth, “and a camp like this offers a lot of hope, something joyful to look forward to.”
Instead of having any difficulties, Schnekloth said they’ve accumulated good problems. One such issue he brings up is having too many volunteers. The recent bills passed also provide a vision for the camp according to Schnekloth.
According to Schnekloth, the camp received 40 new registrations on Monday. Schnekloth said, “we’re so psyched, and so is the community.”
The Queer camp will go from July 5th through July 10th. For more information and to register you can go here. Registration ends on June 1.