I’m a little stunned, Poppets. This article is supposed to
be about summer and family vacations and wonderful places to take the kids, but
still be able to be open. While I knew there weren’t going to be huge numbers
of places, what has stunned me is the real dearth of options at all.
Apparently, we can go on a gay vacation without our kids, or we can go to a
straight resort with our kids, but there are very few options where we can be
out with our kids. Hell, even Disney’s Gay Days are debatably family friendly,
at best, and controversial at worst. Now, while I have inadvertently uncovered
a brilliant business opportunity for someone, I have also managed to dig up a
few options. Sadly, I haven’t experienced any of these first-hand, but reviews
and word-of-mouth are solid. As always, if you have a different experience,
please let me know and I will correct myself here!
First, for those of you who enjoy camping and want to reconnect
with your kids in nature, there are options here in Oregon and down in Washington,
both. And, in spite of my disclaimer in the above paragraph, I have spoken with
both of these camps myself and have been assured they are indeed LGBTQ
friendly. In Oregon, check out Umpqua’s Last Resort in Dry Creek along the
North Umpqua River. Gay owned, gay friendly, they offer campgrounds, cabins,
and an RV park if you travel with your house on wheels. Plus, lots of
activities for all ages. They will even arrange spa services if being in the
great outdoors gets to be just a little too much. 115 Elk Ridge Lane, Oregon
Scenic Hwy 138, Mile Post 47 at Dry Creek, Idleyld Park, Oregon and can be
reached at 541-498-2500 or info@golastresort.com
In Washington, try Offut Lake Resort in Tenino. For fishing,
boating, hanging out on the dock, or lazing away a day under a shady tree, this
is the place for the whole family. Tackle and fishing licenses are available
onsite, too. Cabins are often reserved well in advance, but they are offered,
along with campsites and RV spots. 4005 120th Avenue SE, Tenino,
Washington. 360-264-2438 or becky@offutlakeresort.com
For those of us who aren’t quite as outdoorsy, R Family
Vacations is the travel agency we’ve been looking for. When they recognized the
dearth of options for LGBTQ families, they did something about it themselves.
They offer national and international tours, ranches, and cruises for the whole
family. This is the perfect setting for straight parents with LGBTQ kids, for
LGBTQ parents with straight kids, or for mixed extended families who want to
vacation together where everybody can feel equally comfortable. www.rfamilyvacations.com or
917-522-0985
Finally, for those of us who fall somewhere in between – we
want the outdoors experiences, but don’t necessarily want to be left to our own
devices – there is an option! Camp It Up in California is summer camp for
everyone, not just the kids. Organized activities, meals, and evening programs,
it’s summer camp like you remember, only better and with your whole family.
This year, camp runs from July 27- August 4th. If you missed out on
registering though, they offer winter camp, at Lake Tahoe, so you haven’t
missed out at all. 6745 Moore Drive, Oakland. www.campitup.org
No, Poppets, we don’t have as many options as we’d like, but
we do have them. So, grab your kids, get away for a night or a week. They’re
only this age for a short time. Enjoy them.
Until next month, Poppets, take care of you.
