est. 2009
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est. 2009
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Everything going on around the harbor and more!
Dear Parents/Guardians, Campers, & Staff,
Please watch this short video for updated information as of April 6, 2020.
If you cannot access the video, a loose transcript is below:
I wanted to give you an update now that it is early April. This information is intended for those who are attending Camp Aranu’tiq between June 28 and August 1. As we stated a few weeks ago, it’s too early to know what the summer will look like. We have extended cancellation/full refund policies so that no one will have to make any decisions until mid-May, when we will all know much more. You all have enough to worry about right now; let us worry about camp planning.
We are hoping that camp will be able to occur in at least a semi-usual state, and at the same time we’re thinking about potential modifications in case we are not able to hold camp as usual.The health and safety of our campers and staff remains our number one concern. I have been in meetings with many other camp directors as well as the American Camp Association. The American Camp Association has put together a task force of doctors, public health officials, and others, and they are all working hard to try to assemble guidelines for a safe, fun, and somewhat normal camp season if it’s possible. Please rest assured that if we are unable to hold camp as usual, we are committed to all being connected through Camp Aranu’tiq. Camp people are creative people, and we are using every creative brain cell we have!
We know uncertainty is very tough. Until decisions are made in May, maintaining connection is essential for our campers. If your camper is signed up for 2020 and they haven’t yet joined a weekly online meetup, email me. Huge thanks to our volunteers for helping run these.
We will get through this together. We want our campers, staff, and their families to be safe and healthy. Thank you to all our camp family front line workers for all you do!
No matter what the summer looks like, we’re going to have fun and connect with one another in a very meaningful way. So, give yourself permission to get excited for summer.
Feel free to reach out to us even if it’s just to say hi. Follow us on social media to keep in touch as well: Facebook @camparanutiq, Instagram@aranutiq, Twitter @camparanutiq
Be well,
Nick
March 13, 2020
Letter for Parents of Campers enrolled in Camp Aranu’tiq between June 28 and August 1, 2020
Dear Parents & Guardians,
First and foremost, our thoughts are with all of you and your families at this difficult and uncertain time of COVID-19/Coronavirus. I want to assure you that the health and safety of your children, and of everyone, is foremost on our minds at this difficult time. We know that you are concerned with today and tomorrow at this point. We want to be able to help as much as possible.
We are optimistic that by summer we will be able to have camp as usual. At the same time, please be assured that we are monitoring the situation closely day by day. As a member of the American Camp Association, NH Camp Directors’ Association, and a few other groups of directors, I have been immersed in conversations with other camps and we are learning exactly what we need to know to have a safe and fun summer.
We are extending our cancellation and full refund deadline from April until May 15, and we will re-evaluate at that time. What does that mean? It means that you do not have to make any decisions about camp until mid-May, at which point we will have more updated information.
We will be keeping in close touch with the NH Department of Health & Human Services to ensure that we are following its recommendations. Overnight camps have long dealt with preparing for communicable illnesses. In the past few years, and even more so now, we are updating our policies and procedures for our nurses and all our staff and campers.
I believe it is imperative that we harness the power of Camp Aranu’tiq. Our mission of fostering community, confidence, and resilience for trans & non-binary youth must be extended beyond our gates at this time of uncertainty. Many of you are now facing having your kids out of school for a long time, which can be extra isolating for trans/non-binary youth. Starting IN MARCH, we are planning online get-togethers for your kids where we play games together and have a fun, light time together. We hope to be able to have our first online get-togethers as early as next week. They will be password-protected and we will discuss confidentiality.
We’ll be sending out an email about our first online get-togethers as soon as possible.
Stay well!
Nick
Nick M. Teich, PhD, LCSW
Founder & CEO/Director
Camp Aranu’tiq
nick@harborcamps.org
781-400-1617
Our own transgender superhero, Nicole Maines, wishes us a happy 10th birthday:
Nicole Maines 10 years
Camp Aranu’tiq 2016 was a blast! We served over 500 campers last summer. Click here for our photo newsletter. See you in 2017 
Our brand new camp videos are ready:)
Check them out on our home page!
Caitlyn Jenner’s column about Camp Aranu’tiq: Tales from A Camp for Extraordinary Kids
Don’t miss Aranu’tiq campers and staff featured on the E! series I Am Cait, which follows Caitlyn Jenner’s transition and journey into the transgender community.
Alex’s interview about the ad: https://www.frontiersmedia.com/frontiers-blog/2015/05/08/trans-man-in-the-hallmark-mothers-day-ad-works-at-the-l-a-lgbt-center/
January 2015: Huffington Post Interview with Founder Nick Teich about Harbor Camps
January 2015: Bay Area Reporter Article about Camp Aranu’tiq of Harbor Camps
October 2014: Huffington Post Article about Camp Aranu’tiq Written by a Camp Mom
February 2013: Katie Couric Show (clip no longer available)
September 2012: Boston Globe Article about Camp Aranu’tiq
December 2011: ABC News Story About a Camper Family Mentions Camp Aranu’tiq
May 2010: WBUR Boston (NPR Affiliate) Interview about Camp Aranu’tiq
Nick Teich was on “Katie,” Katie Couric’s talk show discussing Camp Aranu’tiq along with a camper and his mom. Unfortunately, the link to the clip is no longer available since the show has ended.
Founder Nick Teich (front row, white shirt) with VP Biden and LGBT leaders
In September 2012, Nick was invited to an LGBT leaders day at the White House followed by a dinner at Vice President Biden’s home in Washington. There, Biden spoke about the importance of moving LGBT rights forward. Nick returned to a policy roundtable in November where he and other transgender policy leaders met with senior White House officials to discuss the president’s next steps in his new term regarding transgender rights. Nick was proud to represent Camp Aranu’tiq. He joined the Trevor Project and GLSEN in speaking about transgender youth and the need for tighter federal legislation to prevent bullying in schools. He was excited to personally tell VP Biden, our “second lady” Dr. Jill Biden, and John Berry, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, about Camp Aranu’tiq. They were all thrilled to hear that such a program exists.
On April 25, Congressman Barney Frank spoke to a group of about 30 camp supporters in Newton, Mass. as we gear up for our first summer.
Frank is a longtime LGBT advocate, member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 30 years, and the current Chairman of the Financial Services Committee. He was the first Congressperson to ever come out publicly as gay.
While Nick Teich worked for Frank prior to Nick’s own gender transition, Frank has now become the first member of the Congress to hire an openly transgender person, Diego Sanchez, to work for him on Capitol Hill.
Congressman Frank talked about the importance of having a place like Camp Aranu’tiq. He made the important point that it is hard enough being any young kid or a teenager because peers can be relentless. When you add transgenderism or gender variance to the mix, he explained, it becomes that much more difficult to navigate through childhood and young adulthood. He enthusiastically urged the audience to support Aranu’tiq.
Frank also spoke about the debate over federal nondiscrimination laws for transgender and non-binary/nonconforming people. He talked about people’s panic over public restrooms being a main factor in the debate on this issue. In a recent conversation with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Frank, using his trademark mix of sarcasm and wit, said he dared her to show him one member of Congress who did not grow up in a home with “unisex” bathrooms.
We thank Congressman Frank for taking time out of his incredibly busy schedule to encourage people to support Camp Aranu’tiq.