Taking S.T.E.P.S. Toward Equity and Inclusion

In the wake of the pandemic, YMCA of the North made the difficult decision to close all of its overnight camps except two in the summer of 2020.

One of these was YMCA Camp Northern Lights.

Operating in only its second summer, leaders at camp were still working to develop its culture and identify, distinct from its more venerable sibling – Camp du Nord.

The source of ideation and innovation, as it turns out, came from a source both surprising and predictable: the 20-something counselors most responsible for creating that iconic “camp magic.”

Inspired by the Y’s mission, to be “for all,” and motivated to create change in the wake of the murder of George Floyd that same summer, this collection of summer staff, with help from the community, pitched a program designed to create access that would be grounded in principles of equity.

Then they fundraised for it. From themselves. They called it Taking S.T.E.P.S.

With more support piled on by campers and community members, the idea of Supporting the Transformation of Equity and Power in outdoor Spaces (S.T.E.P.S.). was born. The goal of Taking S.T.E.P.S. is to thoughtfully create more opportunities for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ families to experience representation and community in a family camp setting.

After developing the program and fundraising that summer of 2020, Taking S.T.E.P.S. launched in summer 2021. This last summer, it grew. Taking S.T.E.P.S. was able to:

• Accommodate more families with double the sessions—which were filled and included a waitlist;
• Pilot tiered pricing to allow for a more equitable registration process;
• Include five Leadership Development Program participants, thereby creating future camp leaders from a variety of backgrounds; and
• Prepare to serve 50-plus families in 2023.

Born out of one of the most difficult summers in the history of Y camping, Taking S.T.E.P.S. brought the identify of Camp Northern Lights into clear focus.

Truly, it would be a camp “for all.”