Family Week
July 27 – August 3, 2019
Provincetown, MA
Family Week is a week-long event co-hosted by COLAGE and Family Equality Council where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ+) parented families grow together in Provincetown, MA. For almost 25 years, Family Equality Council and COLAGE have worked together to organize Family Week in Provincetown, MA. Through year-round efforts, we work to provide the best possible activities and events for LGBTQIA+ families at Family Week.
Family Week is a week-long event co-hosted by COLAGE and Family Equality Council where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ) parented families grow together in Provincetown, MA. For more than 20 years, Family Week has supported and inspired, fostered community and friendships, and addressed the unique joys and challenges that arise for LGBTQ families through a week of programs, events, and celebrations. We have found in over 20 years providing youth programming at Family Week, youth who attend COLAGE programs will have a positive and powerful experience connecting with peers from around the country and world that share their experiences. Generations of Family Week alumni are now active allies, change agents, social justice leaders, and compassionate individuals who are making a difference because they belong to a network of empowered people with LGBTQ parents.
COLAGE offers daily programming at Family Week for youth ages 7-18 in collaboration with Family Equality Council which hosts family and parent programs throughout the week. COLAGE programs are thoughtfully developed for each age group balancing creativity with recreation, providing a safe environment for youth to talk about challenges they face and ways to become more empowered. We focus on community building and work to connect youth to a network of peers that could become lifelong friends and support systems. Please note, COLAGE camp and COLAGEr-only spaces at Family week are ONLY for youth and adults with one or more LGBTQIA+ parent, guardian or primary caregiver.
COLAGE Camp Registration includes:
- Access to all of the above events general registration includes.
- Entrance to COLAGE’s morning drop-off camp for youth ages 7-18. The day camp is in the morning Monday through Friday and is led by trained volunteer facilitators who also have LGBTQIA+ parents, guardians, and/or caregivers; many of whom have also grown up in COLAGE programs and have developed their leadership skills through participation at Family Week.
- Entrance to exclusive COLAGEr-only events such as identity based afternoon discussions, teen hangout spaces, and the very popular Friday variety show and youth dance.
- An exclusive 2019 COLAGE Family Week T-shirt for every youth registrant.
- Connection to the largest network of youth in LGBTQIA+ families through COLAGE workshops at Family Week. All COLAGE workshops are created by people in LGBTQIA+ families for youth in LGBTQIA+ families.
COLAGEr space is very important because you get to express your inner self…One thing I learned this week that I will take back home with me is to not be ashamed!
—10 year-old participant
I think it’s important to educate kids about their families and show them that they aren’t alone as kids with queer parents. I learned that it’s important to take pride in your family and to stand up for what you believe in.
—12 year-old participant
COLAGE is my family. I couldn’t imagine my life without it.
—16 year-old participant
Congratulations! COLAGE Family Week was a huge success! I also wanted to say thank you for your encouragement around bringing my daughter to Family Week. I did pull off her being there for the whole week and I am very grateful for your encouragement. She even participated in the panel-something I never dreamed she would do!
—Parent of a first time youth participant
At Family Week we work to make sure all participant needs are met to the best of our ability. That includes making Family Week more economically accessible by providing scholarships to families and youth, describing event and programming spaces in advertising, and providing ASL interpreters at all events where they are needed.
All people requesting ASL interpretation will be connected directly with ASL interpreters and will be able to share with the interpreters which events they would like to go to. The ASL interpreters will then be present at all requested events and follow up with any additional requests at Family Week if needed. If you will need ASL interpretation at Family Week please email kaley@colage.org or emcgranachan@familyequality.org. Thank you!
Please check back here for more information coming about Family Week 2019 spaces. Please let us know if you have any concerns or would like to share how we can make Family Week or COLAGE events more accessible for you or your family. Email Kaley Fry at kaley@colage.org.
Join the Family Week Facebook Group if you are interested in attending this year to network with other families who will be attending.
Check out this article written in the Huffington Post about the week!
Want more youth voices? Check out our Kidsafe Blog!
Questions? Please contact Kaley Fry at kaley@colage.org
Volunteer at Family Week 2019!
COLAGE is currently seeking fabulous COLAGErs (youth and adults with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer parents, guardians, or caregivers) and LGBTQIA+ parents to join us as volunteers for an incredible week at this year’s Family Week in Provincetown, MA July 27th - August 3rd! Learn more and sign up to volunteer HERE. Applications close February 1, 2019. We hope you will join our international team of volunteers who support COLAGE's day camp and events at Family Week!
Questions? Please contact Kaley Fry at kaley@colage.org