October 2025

At The Laurel Foundation, our mission is to create vibrant communities where vulnerable youth discover their authentic selves. Through cost-free, year-round mental health support, education, and character development programs, we empower children, and youth to thrive in environments built on trust, integrity, and mutual respect.

This summer, that mission came vividly to life at Camp Mulberry, a residential program specifically for transgender, and gender-diverse youth ages 6–17. For one transformative week, 70 campers came together to experience what every child deserves: a community that values authenticity, fosters connection, and provides the safety to simply be themselves.

Camp Mulberry wasn’t about lessons or labels; it was about creating a supportive, joyful environment where campers could laugh, play, and grow. Guided by trained volunteers and professional mental-health staff, the week was designed to give each young person space to explore who they are and to feel supported as they worked through the challenges they face outside of camp. Campers built confidence and connection through shared experiences, hiking, swimming, storytelling, and moments of reflection that reminded them they were not alone.

Each day, the entire camp gathered together in gratitude to share what they were thankful for, the new friends they had made, the moments of courage they had found, and the love that surrounded them, these moments, often filled with laughter and sometimes tears, captured the essence of The Laurel Foundation’s mission: building communities rooted in trust, integrity, and mutual respect.

This summer was especially meaningful for one camper who attended using their chosen name and pronouns for the very first time. Surrounded by supportive friends and counselors, they laughed around the campfire, dove into new adventures, and felt truly seen and accepted. They even performed at the talent show, the last night of camp, and received a standing ovation from the crowd of their friends. Their experience reminded us all of how powerful it is when a community embraces every camper for who they are, creating a space where authenticity and joy can flourish.

Two longtime campers also reached an important milestone as they aged out after six incredible years at camp. We watched them grow from shy, uncertain children into confident, compassionate young leaders who now plan to return as counselors next year, ready to guide and inspire others just as they once were. Their journeys reflect what Camp Mulberry is all about, giving youth a foundation of confidence and belonging that stays with them for life.

This year, we were honored to welcome architect and artist Leo Marmol, who visited camp and spent the day teaching our youth how art can be a source of strength and expression. Through his workshop, campers learned how creativity can help them work through emotions, find calm in challenging moments, and express themselves in ways words sometimes cannot. His visit reminded everyone that art is not only about beauty,  it’s about healing, courage, and seeing oneself clearly.

Camp Mulberry is completely cost-free to campers and is made possible by the generosity of donors and community partners who share our vision of a world where financial barriers never prevent a child from experiencing belonging, joy, and growth. Thank you!

Camp would not be possible without the extraordinary volunteers who bring Camp Mulberry to life. This summer at Camp Mulberry, we were fortunate to have five medical professionals, six mental-health specialists, and thirty compassionate camp counselors, each one giving their time, skills, and hearts to create a safe, affirming, and joy-filled space for every camper. Their empathy and dedication transformed camp into something magical, a place of laughter, courage, and community.

Because of the support of our donors and volunteers, Camp Mulberry 2025 became more than just a summer camp. It became a sanctuary where youth learned to trust, connect, and thrive, where authenticity was celebrated, joy was shared, and every camper could simply be a kid. Thank you for helping us continue this vital mission, for believing in our youth, and for ensuring that every child knows they belong.

The Laurel Foundation’s 2025 summer camp season came to a close with one of our most impactful programs yet, Camp Laurel Teen Adventure, a week dedicated to helping youth from marginalized communities envision brighter, bolder futures. Rooted in The Laurel Foundation’s mission to build confidence, character, and leadership, this year’s program went beyond recreation. It gave young people the tools, mentorship, and belief to imagine who they can become, and the practical skills to begin that journey.

Campers ages 13–17 joined us from across California, youth from low-income households, the LGBTQ+ community, foster care, and those affected by or at risk of HIV/AIDS. For many, Camp Laurel was their first chance to feel truly supported, seen, and guided toward a future of opportunity.

From the very start, campers took part in meaningful service learning, partnering with It’s Bigger Than Us, assembling more than 250 care packages for families displaced by the Eaton and Palisades fires. Each package contained school supplies, books, and handwritten notes of encouragement. Through this shared act of compassion, our youth discovered that leadership begins with service and that their actions, no matter how small, have a real impact.

The program was intentionally designed to inspire youth to pursue higher education and to open pathways to career discovery. Our partners at Cal State Los Angeles led sessions that helped campers envision college as an achievable goal. A university admissions counselor shared his personal journey, reminding campers that perseverance, not privilege, paves the way to success.

Building on that momentum, campers participated in a series of career readiness workshops that introduced them to multiple industries and helped them prepare for future job opportunities. With guidance from professionals and volunteers, each camper reflected on their personal skills and achievements to create an individualized, polished résumé. The program also began laying the groundwork for future internships, helping youth connect what they learned at camp to real-world opportunities and career exploration.

Hands-on sessions at Would Works with educators from the ReDiscover Center introduced campers to craftsmanship and sustainable design, while partnerships with LA Culinary School, Street Poets, and LA Compost encouraged creativity, self-expression, and environmental stewardship. Each workshop offered a glimpse into different career paths, from the arts and trades to culinary and environmental fields, showing campers that success can take many forms.

Throughout the week, campers learned, created, reflected, and, most importantly, connected. Whether working side-by-side in workshops or sharing stories during community circles, they discovered that they were not alone. They were part of a community that believed in their dreams.

The week culminated in an unforgettable Beach Day and evening visit to the Santa Monica Pier, where campers played games, shared laughter, and rode the carousel to watch the stars shine over the ocean. That evening, surrounded by joy and belonging, our campers realized that a true community had been built, one rooted in hope, love, and shared possibility.

Camp Laurel Teen Adventure 2025 was more than just a camp; it was a launchpad for future leaders, scholars, and changemakers. Through service, education, and connection, campers left with not only a sense of purpose but also tangible skills, résumés in hand, dreams in motion, and confidence in their own potential.

To our generous donors and community partners, including Cal State Los Angeles, Would Works, ReDiscover Center, Street Poets, LA Compost, Pasadena Fire Station 1, LA Culinary School, and Graff Tours, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your investment made these moments possible.

Camp Laurel Teen Adventure is completely cost-free to campers and is made possible by the generosity of donors and community partners who share our vision of a world where financial barriers never prevent a child from experiencing belonging, joy, and growth. Thank you!

None of this would be possible without the extraordinary volunteers who bring Camp Laurel Teen Adventure to life. This summer at Camp LaurelTeen Adventure, we were fortunate to have two seasoned medical professionals, two mental-health specialists, and ten compassionate camp counselors, each one giving their time, patience, and vulnerability to create a transformative space that challenged campers to rise to the occasion and become leaders.

Because of you, a new generation of youth has learned to lead with compassion, pursue their dreams fearlessly, and believe that the future, their future, is within reach.

If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Eliot Dowens at EDowens@Laurel-Foundation.org