ASPYRE Leadership Camp 2026

Thank you for your interest in being an Adult Volunteer for ASPYRE 2026. We have some basic requirements that must be willing and able to meet in order to help lead the ASPYRE Leadership Camp. REQUIREMENTS: 21+ years old. You must attend the full camp from Thursday, October 8, arriving at 2:30-3:30 p.m., until Sunday, October 11 at 3 pm. Must agree to a background check Adult Volunteers are expected to: Ensure the safety and well-being of all ASPYRE campers. Be willing to receive and carry out instructions provided by LGBT Center of Raleigh staff and camp coordinators (Elizabeth, Nick, Lora). Be willing to assist with camp setup and teardown. This includes room transitions during camp. Provide directions to campers and parents regarding check-in and check-out procedures. Supervise the campers and ensure they adhere to the Community Values agreement and camp rules. This includes showing respect to coordinators, volunteers, campers, and Weaver staff. Lead by example in following the Community Values Agreement and remaining fully engaged with the group. Identify when campers may require assistance due to medical needs, becoming overwhelmed, and/or other stressors. This may include assisting those with mobility issues. Assist Campers in navigating camp (bunk houses, activities, meals, etc.) and arriving on time for scheduled workshops, activities, meals, etc. Ensure that campers maintain a clean/tidy space (tables, meeting rooms, cafeteria, cabins, grounds). Assist campers in finding their assigned cabin and offer help when needed in the transportation of bags, bedding, etc. Be able to ask for help when needed ASPYRE Leadership Camp Community Values Agreement Responsible Behavior Participants may not possess or consume any alcoholic beverages. Participants may not possess or use any drugs or other controlled substances, with the exception of prescribed medication for the attendee and disclosed to the facilitator prior to the event commencing. Participants may not possess or use any tobacco products, and the facilitator and advisors may not use any tobacco products in the presence of participants. Participants are expected to abstain from any activity of a sexual nature. Participants may not possess weapons, fireworks, or anything else of a dangerous nature or act in any way unbecoming of an aspiring Leader. Lodging Participants staying in the camp or conference center must sleep in their assigned room or cabin. All participants are expected to abide by a in bunk/lights out curfew of midnight to 6 a.m. unless otherwise specified by the facilitator or the conference center/camp. Dress Code All participants are expected to wear “camp casual” clothing. This includes shorts, T-shirts, jeans, sweatshirts, and closed-toe shoes. At no time will any clothing with inappropriate language or graphics be allowed. Any shirts, shorts or skirts deemed to be on inappropriate length or size will not be allowed. Flip-flops or open-toed shoes are not appropriate for the ASPYRE Leadership camp because of the nature of the activities in which students will participate. All participants will be required to wear their provided lanyard with name badge for the weekend. Enforcement Violations of this agreement will result in notification to the respective nominator and sponsor. Violations involving the destruction of property, or possession, consumption or use of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances or tobacco products will result in dismissal from the event. Further, it is in the discretion of the Volunteer Staff to notify the appropriate authorities of any criminal violations. These values are effective as of the time the participant arrives at this event until the time the participant departs.

Thank you for your interest in being a Youth Counselor for ASPYRE 2026. We have some basic requirements that must be willing and able to meet in order to help lead the ASPYRE Leadership Camp. REQUIREMENTS: Attendance at ASPYRE within the last 2 years. 16-20 years old. You must attend the full camp from Thursday, October 8, arriving at 2:30-3:30 p.m., until Sunday, October 11 at 3 pm. Attend and actively participate in the YC training sessions in August & September. YC are expected to: Be comfortable presenting to a group. (After Training) Be ready to keep your group on topic and further explain content as needed. (After Training) Be able to help guide participants through activities and through transitions between sessions. Lead by example in following the Community Values Agreement and remaining fully engaged with your group. Identify when campers are potentially in need of assistance due to being overwhelmed or other stressors. (After Training) Be able to ask for help when needed ASPYRE Leadership Camp Community Values Agreement Responsible Behavior Participants may not possess or consume any alcoholic beverages. Participants may not possess or use any drugs or other controlled substances, with the exception of prescribed medication for the attendee and disclosed to the facilitator prior to the event commencing. Participants may not possess or use any tobacco products, and the facilitator and advisors may not use any tobacco products in the presence of participants. Participants are expected to abstain from any activity of a sexual nature. Participants may not possess weapons, fireworks, or anything else of a dangerous nature or act in any way unbecoming of an aspiring Leader. Lodging Participants staying in the camp or conference center must sleep in their assigned room or cabin. All participants are expected to abide by a in bunk/lights out curfew of midnight to 6 a.m. unless otherwise specified by the facilitator or the conference center/camp. Dress Code All participants are expected to wear “camp casual” clothing. This includes shorts, T-shirts, jeans, sweatshirts, and closed-toe shoes. At no time will any clothing with inappropriate language or graphics be allowed. Any shirts, shorts or skirts deemed to be on inappropriate length or size will not be allowed. Flip-flops or open-toed shoes are not appropriate for the ASPYRE Leadership camp because of the nature of the activities in which students will participate. All participants will be required to wear their provided lanyard with name badge for the weekend. Enforcement Violations of this agreement will result in notification to the respective nominator and sponsor. Violations involving the destruction of property, or possession, consumption or use of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances or tobacco products will result in dismissal from the event. Further, it is in the discretion of the Volunteer Staff to notify the appropriate authorities of any criminal violations. These values are effective as of the time the participant arrives at this event until the time the participant departs.

Application Instructions 

We are excited to offer partial scholarships to campers in need. Please DO NOT fill out the Camper Application form if you need a scholarship. Applications will close on September 1st, 2026, or when all scholarship spots have been filled. Awardees will be notified on a monthly rolling basis. Registration will be sent out with your camper's scholarship award email and must be completed by September 8th, 2026. Cost for camp for scholarship recipients will be $50 for a single camper or $75 for a sibling pair. Scholarship request form: https://forms.gle/wwhYT6ykNzr71tMc9

Step 1: Download the attached files under “related files”

Step 2: Review sliding scale pricing  

Step 3: Select the appropriate tier pricing for your camper

Step 4: Complete the single camper application questions 

Step 5: Complete and sign the “contracts” attached to the application

Step 6: Complete the Medical Information application here: https://www.eventeny.com/events/applications/application/?id=8709 

STOP here if only applying for one camper. Once your application is approved, your card will be charged the registration fee you selected. 

Continue if you will be sending a second camper/sibling. 

Step 8: Follow the link here to the sibling camper application: https://www.eventeny.com/events/applications/application/?id=8731 

Step 9: Download the attached files under “related files”

Step 10: Review sliding scale pricing  

Step 11: Select the appropriate tier pricing for your camper, which should be the same tier you selected for the single camper application.

Step 12: Complete the Sibling Camper application questions 

Step 13: Complete and sign the “contracts” attached to the application

Step 14: Complete the Sibling Medical Information application here: https://www.eventeny.com/events/applications/application/?id=8711 

 

Once your application is approved, your card will be charged the registration fee you selected. 

Please send all camp questions to aspyre@lgbtcenterofraleigh.com or call/text Lora Pilcher at 984-664-1940, the weekend of camp. 

Application Instructions 

We are excited to offer partial scholarships to campers in need. Please DO NOT fill out the Camper Application form if you need a scholarship. Applications will close on September 1st, 2026, or when all scholarship spots have been filled. Awardees will be notified on a monthly rolling basis. Registration will be sent out with your camper's scholarship award email and must be completed by September 8th, 2026. Cost for camp for scholarship recipients will be $50 for a single camper or $75 for a sibling pair. Scholarship request form: https://forms.gle/wwhYT6ykNzr71tMc9

 

Step 1: Download the attached files under “related files”

Step 2: Review sliding scale pricing  

Step 3: Select the appropriate tier pricing for your camper, which should be the same tier you selected for the single camper application.

Step 4: Complete the Sibling Camper application questions 

Step 5: Complete and sign the “contracts” attached to the application

Step 6: Complete the Sibling Medical Information application here: https://www.eventeny.com/events/applications/application/?id=8711 

 

Once your application is approved, your card will be charged the registration fee you selected. 

Please send all camp questions to aspyre@lgbtcenterofraleigh.com or call/text Lora Pilcher at 984-664-1940, the weekend of camp. 

This form collects important medical information to help ensure a safe and healthy camp experience for all youth participants. Please provide accurate details about current medications, allergies, medical conditions, and any special healthcare needs. All information will be kept confidential and used only by authorized staff to support your child’s well-being during camp.

This form collects important medical information to help ensure a safe and healthy camp experience for all youth participants. Please provide accurate details about current medications, allergies, medical conditions, and any special healthcare needs. All information will be kept confidential and used only by authorized staff to support your child’s well-being during camp.

ASPYRE Leadership Camp Is a weekend-long (Thursday-Sunday) retreat for LGBTQ youth and allies ages 13-17 or 18 and still in high school. They will be learning skills needed to enact change in their communities. Campers will also have the opportunity to network with other LGBTQ youth from across the state, make new friendships, and get inspired!!! Camp costs around $400 a camper/volunteer; donations like yours help us to keep camp affordable and offer scholarships for campers in need. Camp cost breakdown examples: Lodging and meals: $12,000 Workshop facilitators: $5,000 Activities (archery, fishing, etc.): $650 Snacks: $500 Swag (water bottles, lanyards, shirts): $1,500 All donations, no matter how big or small, help us to continue to offer this amazing opportunity to youth each year!