Growing from seven campers in a single cabin to welcoming over 100 youth each year, Camp Rainbow Phoenix is known as more than an overnight summer camp—it’s a lifeline for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
Founded by a small group of passionate advocates who dreamed of a space where 2SLGBTQIA+ youth could truly belong, Camp Rainbow Pheonix is run collaboratively by Pflag Canada, Pflag Durham, and the AIDS Committee of Durham Region. It remains the only free camp of its kind in Canada—offering a safe, affirming environment for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to experience the magic of summer camp.
Danone Canada is proud to support Camp Rainbow Phoenix through its Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) and partnership with PFlag1.
This past summer, our team had the privilege of visiting the camp and witnessing its transformative impact firsthand. We met with co-founder Donny Potts (He/Him) and two dedicated counsellors, Austin (They/Them) and Katie (She/They), who shared powerful stories of resilience, community, and hope.
A Grassroots Beginning
The idea for Camp Rainbow Phoenix started simply: a few friends imagining what they wished they’d had growing up. “We didn’t have anything like this,” recalls founding member Donny Potts (He/Him). “Wouldn’t it have been amazing if we did?”
That first camp in Oshawa started with seven campers and a budget of just $1,500. Today, demand has soared—so much that in 2025, Camp Rainbow Phoenix hosted two full weeks of summer programming and still had a waitlist.
More than a Camp
Donny explains that for many 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, camp isn’t just about having fun—it’s about survival, with campers sharing “time and time again that camp saved their lives.”
Often described as one of the few places where these youth feel safe from bullying and isolation, Austin shares that “camp serves as a safe space for kids to explore who they are without judgment, while developing important leadership and self-advocacy skills.” For many campers, this experience is “truly life changing” and they leave camp “brimming with confidence and believing that they deserve to take up space in the world.”
As Katie notes, much of this transformation comes from seeing camp counselors as “living proof that queer and trans adults can lead full, thriving lives.” This representation is powerful—it shows campers that “being themselves is not a barrier to success.”
Leveraging business as a force for good.
Danone’s support for Camp Rainbow Phoenix is more than a partnership, “it’s an extension of our values,” says Pride ERG co-lead Katherine Ball. The camp’s direct impact on kids creates “a powerful call to action that inspires employees to fundraise and support Pflag, giving our teams a cause they’re proud to rally behind.”
As co-lead Ariana Magliocco adds, “What motivates Danone employees most is seeing how our commitment to diversity and inclusion translates into tangible change.” Through Camp Rainbow Phoenix, “we see how business can be leveraged to make a real difference in our communities.”
Join Danone in making a difference.
Help ensure more 2SLGBTQIA+ youth experience the life-changing power of a safe, supportive camp. Your donation to Camp Rainbow Phoenix creates opportunities, builds confidence, and shows every camper they belong. Make a donation today: Camp Rainbow Phoenix - Donate
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1Danone has contributed over $77,000 and donated a variety of products to Camp Rainbow Phoenix through its partnership with Pflag Canada since 2022.
