The Stephens Family YMCA in Champaign, Illinois, has sparked debate with its announcement of “Camp Kaleidoscope,” a summer camp designed for “LGBTQ+ youth or youth who are part of LGBTQ+ families.”

According to a report by Blaze Media, the camp, aimed at children as young as seven, is set to provide a “safe space” for participants to “be authentically themselves” while engaging in activities that promote character growth and development.

The camp will run in two sessions: June 23 to 27, 2025, for 2nd to 5th graders, and July 14 to 18, 2025, for 6th to 9th graders, with each session costing $250.

Held at a privately rented residential space, the program includes outdoor activities like exploring woods and trails, as well as indoor recreation.

The YMCA has partnered with Uniting Pride of Champaign County, an activist organization that provides “gender-affirming” clothing, such as chest binders and tucking underwear, to individuals of any age, along with transgender-themed literature for children.

This collaboration has raised concerns among critics due to the nature of the materials and services offered by Uniting Pride.

The Stephens Family YMCA, which operates under the mission of “putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all,” has faced scrutiny for its alignment with this initiative.

Blaze Media notes that the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, including allowing members to use facilities based on self-identified gender, appear to conflict with its stated Christian ethos.

Critics argue that hosting a camp focused on gender and sexual identity for young children, in partnership with an organization providing controversial materials, deviates from the YMCA’s historical Christian roots.

The American Parents Coalition, as cited by Blaze Media, has expressed alarm over the camp, with Executive Director Alleigh Marré stating, “The YMCA’s prioritization of gender ideology over child safety ought to gravely concern any parent considering sending their child to summer camps or activities.”

The coalition argues that summer camps should focus on fun, friendship, and skill-building rather than promoting specific ideologies. The Stephens Family YMCA did not respond to Blaze Media’s request for comment on the matter.