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Affinity Camps

BIPOC Affinity Camp
Our Vision & Our essential questions

At BIPOC Camp we strive to create a program that not only creates community and joy, but has a long lasting impact on BIPOC students. When much of the world paints BIPOC stories centered around pain, inequality, colonization, and suffering, we facilitate students' reflections on their self-determination, empowerment, identity, and their role in collective liberation. In addition to Social Justice, Ethnic Studies and self-reflection activities, BIPOC campers explore leadership, innovation and design, and outdoor adventure.
 
Our essential questions help us facilitate these conversations.
 
  • Who are we? (learning about our identities, backgrounds, histories)
  • How will we make an impact? (learning about issues/problems in the community and how we can solve them)
  • How will we be uplifted? (understanding our resources and support systems as young leaders to successfully reach our goals and the impact we want to make)



The BIPOC Affinity Camp Experience:

July 7 - July 19, 2025 OVERNIGHT
Cohorts of Affinity campers attend for two consecutive summers (rising 7th and 8th graders).
Specific activities will vary from year to year. Here are some highlights from our 2024 program:
  • Campfires and s'mores
  • Fun overnight activities in the Athenian dormitories
  • 3-night whitewater rafting trip (every other year) and ropes/obstacle courses
  • Intro to Ethnic Studies 
  • Social Justice project to be presented at the end of camp
  • Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
  • Museum of Modern Art SF 
  • Inspirational guest speakers
  • BIPOC artists movie night 
  • Swimming
  • Family Day and Project Showcase
Athenian is equipped with dormitories and dining facilities to host campers overnight for a fully-immersive camp experience! Camp staff will oversee dorm life separated by camper gender identity. If your child identifies as non-binary, we will work with you to ensure they feel comfortable, safe and affirmed in our dormitory setting. Dormitories have single rooms with one camper per room, as well as some rooms for two campers to share together. Campers will also have access to private bathrooms. Meals are provided by our school’s kitchen staff, and food allergies and restrictions are carefully planned for. We will provide more information regarding dormitory living to accepted families.

 

Thinking about joining the fun?

In addition to all of the fun-filled adventures, camp will introduce rising 7th and 8th graders to activities in Ethnic Studies, Social Justice, self-reflection and self-empowerment. Below are some of the characteristics of a likely match for this program:
 
Your child...
  • identifies as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color
  • are a rising 7th and 8th grader
  • has a report card with mostly As, Bs and limited Cs(or equivalency of those grades)
  • is able to commit to attending for two consecutive summers
  • is interested in pursuing an academic and social challenge

Join our Affinity Camp Community!

Complete the application form below. Your application will then be reviewed and we will notify you of your acceptance.
  • Complete this application form by Friday, April 11.
    • Provide student information and upload student grades from your school
  • Upon acceptance into BIPOC camp (you'll be notified by April 16)
    • You MUST CONFIRM acceptance of your spot by completing the following steps (If you do NOT do the following steps, you will not be able to attend BIPOC Camp)
      • Complete Active registration: additional required camper info and liability forms through the Active registration portal (you will be sent a link)
        • Pay your chosen amount for camp tuition (either $0 or pay-what-you-can)The true cost per camper is $3,200 (which Athenian raises funds to provide), and we encourage you to pay the full amount if your circumstances permit. This includes all camp activities, room, board, and food!
      • Complete required Health registration: additional medical, health and liability forms (you will be sent a link to complete this information through a different Tech Platform after submitting Active registration)
  • Closer to Summer BIPOC Camp Leaders will host a virtual Family Orientation and provide a Camp Guidebook

Important Dates:

Important Milestones: Dates:
Online Application Open Monday, February 24, 2025
Application Deadline Friday, April 11, 2025
Acceptance Notification Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Active Registration Deadline (for accepted campers) Thursday, May 1, 2025
Magnus Health Registration Deadline (for accepted campers) Thursday, May 15, 2025
Mandatory Virtual Orientation TBA
BIPOC Affinity Camp Run July 7 - July 19, 2025






FAQs:

List of 5 items.

  • What are the steps to apply?

    Complete the application form below. Your application will then be reviewed and we will notify you of your acceptance.
    • Complete the BIPOC Camp Application, due Friday, April 11
    • Upon acceptance into BIPOC camp (you'll be notified by April 16)
      • You MUST CONFIRM acceptance of your spot by completing the following steps (If you do NOT do the following steps, you will not be able to attend BIPOC Camp)
        1. Complete Active registration: additional required camper info and liability forms through the Active registration portal (you will be sent a link)
          1. Pay your chosen amount for camp tuition (either $0 or pay-what-you-can)The true cost per camper is $3,200 (which Athenian raises funds to provide), and we encourage you to pay the full amount if your circumstances permit. This includes all camp activities, room, board, and food!
        2. Complete required Health registration: additional required medical, health info and liability forms (you will be sent a link to complete this information through a different Tech Platform after submitting Active registration)
    • Closer to Summer BIPOC Camp Leaders will host a virtual Family Orientation and provide a Camp Guidebook



  • Is this camp right for my child?

    In addition to all of the fun-filled adventures, camp will introduce rising 7th and 8th graders to activities in Ethnic Studies, Social Justice, self-reflection and self-empowerment.

    Your child...
    • identifies as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color
    • are a rising 7th and 8th grader
    • has a report card with mostly As, Bs and limited Cs(or equivalency of those grades)
    • is able to commit to attending for two consecutive summers
    • is interested in pursuing an academic and social challenge

  • How much will it cost?

    In short, camp is free or "pay-what-you-can". The true cost per camper is $3,200, and we encourage you to pay the full amount if your circumstances permit. This includes all camp activities, room, board, and food!

    Read More

  • How are meals handled on the school's campus?

    Meals are provided by our school’s kitchen staff, and food allergies and restrictions are carefully planned for. We will provide more information regarding dormitory living to accepted families.

  • Where do campers sleep and what does this look like for attendees?

    As a day and boarding school, Athenian is equipped with dormitories and dining facilities to host campers overnight for a fully-immersive camp experience! Camp staff will oversee dorm life separated by camper gender identity. If your child identifies as non-binary, we will work with you to ensure they feel comfortable, safe and affirmed in our dormitory setting. Dormitories have single rooms with one camper per room, as well as some rooms for two campers to share together. Campers will also have access to private bathrooms. Meals are provided by our school’s kitchen staff, and food allergies and restrictions are carefully planned for. We will provide more information regarding dormitory living to accepted families.



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