Testimonials

Reviews from past campers

What they say...

  • I couldn't recommend Camp Lost Boys any higher, it will change your life for the better in so many ways. I instantly felt relief and connection. I didn’t realize how much I was missing in regards to connection and brotherhood until I came to camp and received both. I feel more open and confident knowing I am not alone and I can step into a space of healthy masculinity. I am so glad CLB exists and I will be making it to every camp that I can.

    -Holden Newbill; Denver, CO; 29 years old; 3 years into transition.

  • I'm 12 years into my transition and have never before experienced something like this camp. I felt very in-tune with myself, and present, and in my body. Everyone was so nice and was on the same page with trying to foster an atmosphere of vulnerability, brotherhood, and non-judgment. I have an immense value for the burgeoning friendships I've made here.

    -Anonymous.

  • To have this new experience of being surrounded by 100+ guys that are just like me. To feel safe, seen, heard, given space, and encouraged to take up space. To being able to stand more confidently in my maleness and masculinity. To stay up late talking to my cabin mates. To being quiet and listening. To feeling like me, without the mask, without the baggage. What a healing and transformational experience. I will be back again, and again. Come my brothers, you all deserve to feel the love that you will feel at Camp.

    -Jade D.; Victoria, Canada; 10 years into transition.

Camp Lost Boys provided a life-changing experience, especially through its intergenerational conversations. The opportunity to engage with men of trans experience of different ages was incredibly enlightening. Hearing the stories and advice from elder transmen gave me a deeper understanding of the progress we've made. Having a space where transmen are the focus is invaluable.

-E.C. Pizarro III; Florida via New Jersey; 12 years into transition.

CLB is one of the first community spaces that I felt like I belonged in. The outpouring of love and support I’ve received at each camp is the reason I will continue to come back.

— A.; Utah; 12 years into transition.

  • I am 11 years on T and have been living as stealth as soon as I started passing. I did not realize at the time how isolating it would feel and didn't really know there were other people out there going through the same thing. Especially people of a trans experience living just as men. I was very nervous to attend camp since I wasn't sure what would happen. This camp helped me build community and I got to meet some amazing people. The chats really helped understand how I was feeling. I could not have had a better time. I am already planning the next camp because I had such a profound and healing experience. The team works hard and fosters such an inclusive environment. Friends and delightful conversation at every meal and impromptu gatherings in between really made it feel like the camp experience I never fully got to have. A huge shout out to the team, their hard work opened my eyes and my soul through this camp. Thank you!

    -Anonymous

  • I’m a small town boy. I began my transition 25 years ago. I knew my life was okay, but there was something missing, there was something I needed to heal. Camp Lost Boys gave me the community I had been searching for. I came home with friends, holding my head a lot higher. Every transman owes it to himself to experience this amazing and transformative adventure.

    -Garrett Boardman; Bellingham, WA.

  • The only funny thing about isolation in our community is that we pretty much all feel it. It's so powerful to be in a room of 150 guys who actually really do understand that feeling because they've been there, too. It truly is different to feel it in person. Camp breaks down barriers to connecting with other guys in our daily lives and helps us be more intentional about reducing isolation for ourselves and our brothers.

    -J; Colorado; 14 years into transition.

  • I’ve never felt more seen, at peace, and loved in a crowd of men than I did at camp. It was an indescribable feeling. Finally having a brotherhood is life changing. Camp gave me a much needed self esteem boost and made me more secure in my masculinity. I can’t wait to go back.

    -CJ; TX; 7 years into transition.

  • I came out of Camp Lot Boys completely free of any doubts I'm a man. Camp provided nourishment to the very roots of my masculinity so they can ground themselves ever deeper and firmer. This level of community care cannot be done alone or through a screen. It involves sharing vulnerability and holding each other and ourselves so we can notice and trim the useless stems of shame and comparison.

    -Flyn Ray Alexander; Vancouver, WA; 10 years into transition.

I had heard about Camp Lost Boys from a couple of friends of mine that had been to a previous camp. So, Colorado, pine forests, fresh air, and other transmen, sounded like a good time. As I signed up for the Colorado camp, I had no expectations from not having been to a camp before. I’m not really a physical sort of guy, more of an artist, so I wasn't sure if I would find things that I could enjoy in a camp environment. Boy did I ever! Just being with 150 other transmen and sharing experiences, transition stories, hopes, fears, and dreams was definitely worth it. Not one single person there treated me differently when I could only watch some of the physical games going on as I have arthritis and could not participate. It was fun to watch the others at play. The cabins were very comfortable. I’m an older guy so I was concerned about having to walk to the bathrooms and to the dining hall, but it was just fine. I found everything easy to access. I suppose I had my own fears and reservations about coming to camp as I am an introvert by nature but being with the other guys opened up something inside me and gave me a sense of freedom that I have not experienced in a long time. I don’t know many young transmen, or other young people for that matter, so it was my intention to try to talk to some of the younger guys and to just listen to them in passing, to try to better understand what it is like for them today in their transitions. I learned that we are all more alike than I had thought. I also met some great older guys that really helped me not feel so alone with aging. The meditations, hikes, talks, chat sessions, and group eating in the dining hall were very enlightening and spirit building. Rocco and the staff did an amazing job of organizing the entire camp weekend. All in all, it was definitely worth my time and money to attend. I made some new friends. My hope is that I helped others by sharing my transition story. I would definitely go to another camp in the future.

-Mason Tripp; Dallas, TX; 24 years int transition.

You may come alone,

but you will leave with a newfound brotherhood, reconnected to long-lost loved ones, and new best friends for life.

  • When I came to camp my understanding of being a trans man was that it was a generally lonely experience. Being in community and brotherhood with so many incredible men in nature has proved that being a trans man doesn't have to be lonely and can be full of joy and connection. My masculinity was not only seen but was seen as worthy of being celebrated and embraced which has fundamentally changed how I see myself and my own value. Before camp I begrudgingly accepted my transness and maleness and now I feel like I have 100+ reasons to be proud.

    -Asher; Cambridge, MA; 33 years old; 3 years into transition.

  • This camp provided me a space I never thought possible. To be surrounded by trans men allowed me to embrace my maleness and transness as a whole instead of separate parts of me. I felt so seen and valid in who I am as a man. I got to experience true joy like I’ve never experienced it before. After returning home, friends would ask how my experience was. My response was always that there are no words to express that experience. I hope every trans man gets to experience that joy and freedom that Camp Lost Boys provides.

    -Cameron; Twin Mountain, NH; 10 years into transitioning.

  • Camp lost boys helped me feel whole again. I expected to get the chance to commiserate on the difficulties of life as a transman. But I never thought that I would be standing in a space where I knew 150 different men that had only met me two days prior, loved me unconditionally. If you’ve forgotten what it feels like to be held, loved or supported, please give this experience a chance because there are hundreds of men at this camp waiting to remind you.

    -JE.

  • This camp has given me a new refreshing outlook on my Trans journey and on a community I didn't think I could be a part of due to my location and history. I've made lifelong friendships and strong connections In a relatively short time. I can not wait to come back to this 3rd space as soon as possible. I hope I see my friends soon and that I get to meet so many more Trans Men in the coming years!

    -Samwise H.

  • I knew I needed a trans men community, but camp still exceeded anything I could have hoped for. I made friends and felt safe being open and being myself. After spending a few days in a gorgeous forest with only trans men, I realized part of the new, unfamiliar feelings I was experiencing was the sensation of safety and deep belonging, both of those together, which I realized I had not quite experienced before. I feel a new sense of genuine pride in myself, in being a trans man. I got to feel like I'm not alone. It all feels life-changing. I am so thankful for CLB and each man who attended, and I will absolutely go back.

    -Allen D.; California; 42 years old; 10 years into transition.

“I’ve never felt more seen, at peace, and loved in a crowd of men than I did at camp. It was an indescribable feeling. Finally having a brotherhood is life changing. Camp gave me a much needed self esteem boost and made me more secure in my masculinity. I can’t wait to go back.”

-CJ; TX; 7 years into transition.

“Camp gave me the space to explore my identity and find who I am in ways I didn’t even know I needed.”

-Zach Trimble; Wachapreague, VA; 1 year into transition.

Attending camp and existing openly, brazenly, and joyfully among my fellow trans brothers was a heart-opening experience that I will not soon forget. I encourage any and every trans man who can to register for next summer—you owe it to yourself.

We deserve to take up space.

— Wade; MN; 2 years into transition

Camp Lost Boys is amazing and absolutely necessary for trans men to show up as they are, be affirmed and validated by other trans men and their experiences. There is nothing like Camp Lost Boys anywhere which makes it even more special and unique. I have gone to Camp Lost Boys twice now and cannot wait to go again! Even though I have social anxiety and agoraphobia, Camp Lost Boys will always be a space for me to find myself, community and understanding of what it means to be a man. Thank you to all the folx who make Camp Lost Boys possible, so much love.

— Anonymous

Going to Camp Lost Boys was like stepping through a portal. If you are a transman, come lay down your burdens. You won't find community on this scale anywhere else. I didn't know what I was missing, or what I have. It showed me both.

— Sam M.; CA; 23 years into transition.

Camp Lost Boys was meaningful because it provided a unique and supportive space for me to deeply connect with other trans men. Despite being sixteen years into my transition, the camp offered an unparalleled sense of belonging and understanding that allowed me to feel more connected to both the trans male community and my own manhood than ever before. This environment fostered shared experiences, camaraderie, and affirmation that resonated profoundly with my personal journey.

— Syd Robinson (aka Wisco); Mequon, WI; 16 years into transition.