Q-Seattle Events: Tacky Tourist Clubs

Q-Squared's annual retreat for gay, bisexual, and transgendered men, CAMP, is this weekend, Friday August 31 through Monday September 3, 2007. Registration is still open for the "Let Your Colors Shine" weekend. The $185 registration fee includes lodging, meals and personal growth for the weekend. For another $20, you can ride on a bus with other campers to the retreat site in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington.

CAMP stands for "Come and Meet People" which is the goal of the weekend that's been an annual event since 1995. The weekend offers a variety of activities modeled on a classic summer camp that allow participants to "connect with each other during a drug and alcohol free event where participants are encouraged to take risks, shed attitudes and dissolve boundaries." Campers are encouraged to join together in campfire sing-a-longs, hiking trips, outdoor games, a dance, and a talent show.

And like the classic summer camp, you can choose from a number of workshops during the weekend. Past workshop topics allowed campers to investigate life drawing, nature photography, massage for gay men, the art of flirting, creative harmonizing, easy bake oven cake decorating, and drag 101.

Labels: Gay events, gay organization, Gay Seattle