VANDALIA, Mich. — REAL News Michiana has received several complaints from parents about the experiences their children had at a well-established local summer camp this year. According to parents who wished to stay anonymous, transgender camp counselors, at Camp Tannadoonah, shared cabins and sleeping arrangements for elementary school aged girls. Counselors across the camp also spent time teaching children about radical gender theory and how people can pick their own pronouns, without the permission of parents.
Parents tell RNM that the incidents happened over several weeks and with many different camp groups.
Screenshots of emails sent to RNM show one parent reaching out to camp officials regarding the issue.
“It has been brought to my attention that two of the 3 counselors had a meeting with the girls the first night and discussed their gender identities.” The parent wrote. “Counselor Dakota stated that she was a boy and to be called ‘Mr.’ and counselor Laura didn’t know if she was a boy or girl and wanted to be called Mr./Ms. Laura.”
Camp leadership initially seemed to be apologetic about what happened.
“I’m extremely sorry that gender identity was discussed with your campers.” Camp Director Gabby Bittner wrote. “During staff training we go over so many topics and discussions about the appropriate/inappropriate conversations with campers. This is one that should never have happened. I will be following up with these counselors and disciplinary action will be taken.”
In a later email, the parent explained more instances of gender theory being taught to her children and others. She then went on to ask for a refund. In response, the CEO of the camp system that owns and operates Camp Tannadoonah, refused to issue the refund and apologized to the parent regarding the actions of the counselors while defending them at the same time.
“As CEO at Camp Fire River Bend, I am sorry that you are unhappy with the camp experience.” Amber Grundy wrote. “I agree that the conversation… was not handled correctly and we have taken steps to ensure that does not happen again.”
“As part of Camp Fire’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, we welcome, affirm, and support young people and adults of all… gender identities and expressions… we also respect the pronouns that our campers and staff choose for themselves.” Grundy continued. “I’m sorry that the staff in this situation provided more information than they should have about their own personal experiences with gender identity exploration.”
RNM reached out to Grundy days before publication. We never received a response.
Subscribers can read the entire email chain from the parent below.
Subscribe to get access to the emails between the camp and the parent.
According to the camp website, “Campers from around the country and throughout the world have enjoyed summers at Camp Tannadoonah for more than 100 years. Our 45-acre camp overlooks beautiful Birch Lake in Vandalia, Michigan. If you like spending time in the outdoors, enjoying the sun, having fun on the water, and making lifelong friendships, Camp Tannadoonah is the place for you. We have 3-day, 7-day, and 11-day sessions, plus a multi-week Counselor in Training (CIT) program each summer. We also offer fall and spring camping weekends for youth and families, and rental opportunities for groups and events.”
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This is disgusting. People need to call the board members and hold them accountable.
My daughters went to camp there for a wk. the minute we walked into the cabin three children cornered my 10yr old asking her what skittle she was. My daughter said she likes all flavors. They started laughing and said “oh your pan then, what is your pronoun?” She started to cry because she had no clue. I told them its always nice to greet a new person with hi my is……whats yours?
I then went to the head person there told her everything and she would not even make eye contact with me. My thoughts she could care less about how my child was bullied the whole time. when i picked up both girls they both said never send us there again. Tell me why cant children just be children????? why cant they just focus on CAMP!!!!!!?????? Not adult sexual things. I sent them there because they are 3rd generation and had a blast the last time they went.
I did not pull them from camp because they stressed how i would not recieve a refund.
They never asked for my permission to talk to my children about there sex and who they are sexually wanting. I mean there school has parents sign a permission slip to talk about there periods. Breaks my heart but we will never be back and i will share what happened to my family.
Many South Bend residents sent kids this year. This situation is raging between many parents at this moment and nothing in the SBT. The goal is to make parents the psychological outliers by endorsing mental uncertainty. My kids are too old to pull, but Camp T better hope the radical left has a bunch of kids to send next year.
Oh wait, can’t endorse motherhood and responsible parenting either. My head does not hurt like they plan, but my heart breaks we cannot progress to just let kids be kids.
This garbage is spreading faster than Covid. And is more dangerous.