EP 01: New Camper Orientation

Camp Wild Heart

Welcome to Camp Wild Heart!

All of us at Camp Wild Heart are so excited you’re here. Showing up here means you’re looking for a way to show your love to your trans child in a way they understand and receive it. I don’t think there is anything closer to real magic than love. We know from the research that it is the most important protective factor kids have against trauma and stress. How cool is that?!

Consider this first episode your New Camper Orientation.

Just like any camp, we’ve got some rules. Rules help us learn what’s in bounds and what’s out of bounds, what behavior is encouraged and what is off-limits.

The rules help to keep people from getting hurt. While we can’t prevent every bump or scrape, our goal is to keep anyone from drowning.

As you listen, I have some things I want you to keep in mind. These are our Camp Rules if you will:

Camp Wild Heart Rules:

1. Keep your judgments to yourself

2. Conversion Therapy is Abuse

3. Shame is not a tool for change

4. Your child should not be your source of support through this

5. “The goal is not perfection, the goal is growth” - Britt Hawthorne

6. Look for the common humanity

7. Send us your questions - [email protected]

Each week at Camp Wild Heart, you’ll hear from parents who are bravely sharing their stories. Many times the parents I talk to will be sharing times they sat in the dark, made mistakes, or just felt confused & alone. But often these stories will have moments of joy and celebration and community, too.

Thanks for showing up today and welcome again to Camp Wild Heart.

Links:

• Brené Brown: TED Talk - The Power of Vulnerability
• Brené Brown Website
• Britt Hawthorne Website

Find out more about Mackenzie Dunham:

• wildheartsociety.org
• Wild Heart Society on Facebook
• Wild Heart Society on Instagram