Welcome Friend Association

Transforming lives by creating safe, affirming spaces where 2SLGBTQ+ and allied youth build resilience, leadership, and a lasting sense of belonging.

Rainbow Camp® is a Canadian charitable program operated by the Welcome Friend Association, a registered charity, and supported through the Welcome Friend Foundation.

The camp provides safe, affirming outdoor experiences for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and allies who may not otherwise have access to environments where they feel accepted and supported.

Many youth attending Rainbow Camp come from communities where isolation, bullying, and lack of belonging are common. At camp, they experience:

• community and connection
• supportive mentorship
• outdoor recreation and leadership development
• mental health and wellness support
• peer belonging and identity affirmation

The program operates as a traditional summer camp experience combined with structured programming that builds resilience, confidence, and community.

Rainbow Camp has served youth from across Ontario and Canada and continues to grow each year. The organization is now working to secure a permanent facility that will allow the program to operate year-round, expand services, and strengthen both in-person and online community support networks.

Organizational Leadership

Rainbow Camp is supported by experienced nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and trained youth workers.

Harry Stewart

Co-Founder and Executive Director

• Co-founder of Rainbow Camp
• Recipient of the Governor General of Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal for founding Rainbow Camp with his husband Christopher Southin
• Founder of Welcome Friend Association and Welcome Friend Foundation
• Over 30 years experience in public administration and community development
• Former senior staff member with the Algoma District Services Administration Board

Harry currently serves on regional boards and maintains strong partnerships across Northern Ontario.

Program Leadership Team

Rainbow Camp programs are delivered by:

• trained youth workers
• educators
• outdoor recreation leaders
• paid summer staff
• volunteers with experience supporting 2SLGBTQ+ youth

All staff follow a Brave Space Policy, emphasizing inclusion, safety, respect, and trauma-informed programming.

The organization collaborates with community partners in youth mental health, education, and social services.

The Need

Across Canada, 2SLGBTQ+ youth experience significantly higher rates of mental health challenges and social isolation.

Research indicates that:

• 2SLGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers
• more than 60% report serious loneliness or isolation
• nearly three-quarters say access to affirming spaces improves their wellbeing

Many youth report they do not have a single place where they feel safe to fully be themselves.

Youth living in rural and northern communities face additional barriers due to limited access to inclusive programs and safe community spaces.

Traditional summer camps often lack staff training or policies that ensure 2SLGBTQ+ youth feel welcome and supported.

This creates a significant gap in services across Northern Ontario and many rural communities in Canada.

The Solution

Rainbow Camp provides a safe, inclusive outdoor camp experience designed specifically for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and allies.

Key program elements include:

• trauma-informed programming
• inclusive policies and trained staff
• outdoor recreation and leadership development
• peer support and mentorship
• mental wellness activities

Campers participate in activities such as:

• canoeing and outdoor adventure
• arts and creative expression
• team building and leadership development
• community circles and storytelling
• confidence-building programs

These experiences help youth develop resilience, confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging.

Many campers describe Rainbow Camp as the first place they truly felt safe being themselves.

Expansion Beyond Summer Camp

Rainbow Camp is evolving beyond a seasonal program into a year-round initiative.

Future expansion includes:

Online Community Platform

The organization is developing digital programming that will allow youth across Canada to connect throughout the year through:

• peer support networks
• mentorship opportunities
• leadership development programming
• educational workshops and community gatherings

This online component is particularly important for youth living in rural or remote communities.

Intergenerational Programming

The long-term vision includes programs that connect youth with mentors and community leaders across generations.

These programs will encourage:

• leadership development
• mentorship relationships
• knowledge sharing across generations
• stronger community networks

Ontario charitable lottery initiatives including:

• 50/50 raffles
• break-open ticket fundraising (planned)

Program Registration

Sliding-scale registration ensures accessibility for families.

Corporate Partnerships

Local and national businesses supporting programming and events.

This diversified approach supports long-term sustainability.

Vision

The long-term vision is to create a permanent intergenerational campus for belonging.

This campus will support:

• Rainbow Camp summer programs
• youth leadership retreats
• mental wellness programming
• mentorship and intergenerational learning
• community gatherings
• training programs on inclusion and belonging

The campus will also support expanded online programming, allowing youth from across Canada to remain connected year-round.

More information on the project vision can be found at:
https://welcomefriend.ca/build/

Why Now

Rainbow Camp is at a critical turning point.

Demand for inclusive youth spaces continues to grow, yet the organization currently relies on renting facilities, which creates instability and limits expansion.

Recent challenges securing camp locations highlight the urgent need for a permanent home.

With the right investment now, Rainbow Camp can transition from a seasonal program into a stable, scalable national initiative supporting youth both in person and online.

Traction

Rainbow Camp has already achieved significant milestones.

• more than a decade of programming
• youth served from across Canada
• over 10,000 camper-days delivered
• established nonprofit governance structure
• provincial charitable gaming eligibility
• Ontario charitable lottery license secured
• strong community partnerships and volunteer support

Check us out on Youtube: https://youtu.be/djTpCOgxhoc?si=k0OsPf13pBqr-ffl

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