LGBTQ+ young people and adult allies gathered under the sun and stars Aug. 1-5 for the 10th Annual Action Camp, co-hosted by the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago's (PHIMC's) Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (the Alliance) and Youth Services' Pride Youth Program.

Since 2012, Action Camp has evolved from a weekend retreat at Roosevelt University to a five-day sleepaway camp that brings together leaders from gender-and-sexuality alliances (GSAs) across the state to learn from one another and shape the safer-schools movement.

Alliance Youth Engagement Manager Nat Duran said in a statement, "Some people hear that we are 'non-punitive' and think that means a lack of accountability — but in actuality, it means a lot more work goes into our accountability practices. I think it's really cool to give young people and adults such an immersive experience to live the values like this, to plant seeds in their home and school communities. Post-camp surveys tell us six months later how campers put some of these values into action in their GSA or youth spaces."

To support LGBTQ+ young people in building an affirming society beyond Action Camp, student allies are encouraged to join or start a GSA, and educators and administrators are invited to participate in one of the Alliance's professional development opportunities; visit Website Link Here .