Northern Colorado Youth Programming
OBC’s Northern Colorado office is located at 525 W. Oak St., Suite 101, Fort Collins, CO, 80521
NoCo Youth Calendar - March
Free Youth Leadership Development Drop-In Group
Youths 12-18 are invited to a safe space every Thursday where they can make friends, build community and connect with trained facilitators who are there to support them and offer resources. These meetings will take place in person in Fort Collins, and via Zoom. For location information, contact: Ash Tumbleson (he/they), atumbleson@outboulder.org, 303-505-0746.
1st & 3rd Thursdays = community building
2nd & 4th Thursdays = leadership development
On the third Thursday of the month, the Youth Group will merge with the Queer Youth Prom Planning Committee and meet at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Court.
Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Please contact Ash Tumbleson (he/they) for the in-person meeting location, atumbleson@outboulder.org
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86491727246
Meeting ID: 864 9172 7246
Audience: Ages 12-18
Free In-Person Drop-in LGBTQ+ Youth Groups
OBC runs weekly support groups for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Questioning youth ages 12-18. If you are under 12 you’ll need a signed guardian permission form. These groups will take place every Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at:
Colorado State Student Center, Room 232,
1101 Center Avenue Mall, Fort Collins
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86491727246
Meeting ID: 864 9172 7246
Every first and third group of the month will be dedicated to crafts, fun activities and community building. The second and fourth groups of the month will be about youth development, leadership skills and helping youth plan their own Day of Silence event, which will take place on April 12, 2024.
Annual Youth Giving Tree
During the holiday season, Out Boulder County offers youth the opportunity to ask for gender-affirming apparel, materials, supplies or any other item(s) they may need or want. We know they may be unable to ask their parents, family or friends due to a lack of support around their LGBTQ+ identities, financial barriers or other factors.
Youths sign up by filling out a Google form with links and specifics on what they would like to receive.
This program is open to LGBTQ+ and questioning youth ages 11-18.
Our Youth Giving Tree is in conjunction with our Holislay Youth Holiday Party, Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, 5 - 8 PM, at the Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains, 3340 Mitchell Lane, Boulder . Come join us for free food, community and to pick up your gift!
While our donor request form is closed for this year, you can still make a cash donation through this link that goes directly to the Youth Giving Tree Program. All financial donations to this program will be used to buy youth gifts that have yet to be claimed.
Youth Dungeons and Dragons Virtual Group
Calling all adventurers! OBC's youth program is working with Rainbow Youth Center to facilitate virtual Dungeons and Dragons campaigns! Open to ages 12-18, spots are limited and first come, first served. If you are interested, please fill out the forms below and we will get you adventuring in no time! A Discord account is required for participation. We have several campaigns over several days of the week, meeting twice a month in the evening.
NOCO Youth Retreat
From September 22-24, 2023, OBC hosted its inaugural northern Colorado Youth Leadership at Camp Buckhorn. The retreat focuses on LGBTQ+ youth community-building and leadership skills, and includes activities like rock climbing, archery, an identity workshop and more. There were NO COSTS for the participants and attendees received $50 stipends.
Between outdoor activities, we facilitated workshops on how youth could plan A Day of Silence event at their schools to address the bullying LGBTQ+ youth experience. Each workshop acted as scaffolding for the next, explaining the purpose of the event, how to talk to school administrators, teachers and peers about the importance of the event, and how to promote the event. The series culminated in youth planning a prospective Day of Silence event would look like with an accompanying poster advertising the event.
One of our initial youth groups beginning in the new year will be a more in-depth and actionable process of how to plan A Day of Silence at youth’s schools and will include an additional youth leadership retreat in Spring 2024 right before they facilitate events respective to school.
Youth Dance — Halloween or Winter Holiday Theme
Out Boulder County will support Fort Collins’ annual LGBTQ+ Youth Dance, or Queer Prom, an inclusive gathering that holds a special place in our community. This event is a welcoming space for young individuals to be themselves and connect with other LGBTQ+ youth, ages 12-18.
The dance, with a theme decided by youth in the area, is an opportunity for both expression and unity. Themes add a touch of excitement and allow our interns to showcase their artistic talents, contributing to the overall festive atmosphere.
LGBTQ+ Youth Summer Camp
Founded in 2019, OBC’s annual LGBTQ+ Youth Summer Camp is completely free to alleviate financial-access barriers. We cover all aspects and expenses for camp, including food and materials. During our first summer camp, we spent four days/three nights in the backcountry camping, cooking meals over a fire, swimming, canoeing, hiking and building community! We now focus on experiential learning and education through a partnership with Cal-Wood Education Center, which provides cabins and robust educational and interactive activities so our youth can create community and memories.
Our 2024 youth summer camp will take place from Aug. 5-9.
We can take up to 36 LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 12-17 at NO COST to them. Our only prerequisite is that they attend one pre-camp hike. Applicants from Colorado and beyond can apply.
Our Youth Camp application will open in February and run through end of May.
Camp pre-hikes will take place in July in the early mornings.
Transportation, food and other materials will be provided.
