Chris Rehs-Dupin, August 2023

Staffing, Sfaety, Society Podcast with the Redwoods Group

“Whether you know it or not, you have had trans kids in your camp.” — This powerful statement arose out of our conversation with Chris Rehs-Dupin, in which we explore the inclusion as a prerequisite for safety. As a founder of Transplaining for Camps, Chris is an expert in navigating conversations on inclusivity that too often have become politicized and divisive. He explains the importance of education and discusses the dangers of othering.

Chris Rehs-Dupin, October 2022

Article published in Camping Magazine,

Just remember, for every parent who wants to fight you about gender-inclusive policies, there is a parent hoping that their child will be safe in your space because they haven’t found safety elsewhere. For every caregiver who questions why you invite people to share their pronouns during introductions, there will be a child who gets to use a pronoun that fits them for the first time in their life.

Chris Rehs-Dupin, November 2022

Article published in CampBusiness Magazine

Although the camp world has always been a little ahead of the curve on diversity and inclusion efforts, recently there have been more bold, brave, and vigorous efforts to create camps that meet the needs of all kinds of kids, families, and staff members. With most campers’ caregivers now being Millennials, and as Gen Z parents enter the market, there is going to be an increasing demand for LGBT-inclusive practices in youth-development spaces.

Chris Rehs-Dupin, July 2021

Blog posted by the American Camp Association

The policy was much akin to the US military “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy (a problematic policy that allowed gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals to serve in the military, but only if they kept their sexual orientation secret), but there is one distinct and undeniable difference between being in the military and working with kids. Kids don’t have the capacity to follow their part of the policy — “don’t ask.”

Chris Rehs-Dupin, August, 2023

Panel Presented by the YMCA Mountain Midwest Training Hub

A great deal of the public conversation regarding trans and gender-expansive individuals within fitness spaces centers the voices and questions of cisgender individuals. As a result, a disproportionate amount of focus is placed on unlikely hypothetical situations, justifications for existent barriers to trans inclusion, and misunderstandings of the experiences of trans and gender-expansive individuals.

Chris Rehs-Dupin, April 2022,

Blog posted by the Summer Camp Society.

If we are more harshly punishing someone who uses the word “f*ck” than someone who uses the word “f*ggot,” our rules are not working to protect anyone. They are working to perpetuate archaic and outdated norms that don’t ultimately serve the purpose of building and maintaining a positive community.

Chris Rehs-Dupin, May, 2023

Camp Code Podcast, by GoCampPro

We’re always working to understand how belonging can be transformative in our spaces and our world. Today we chat with Chris Rehs Dupin of Transplaining for Camps to help us, as we work to build inclusive practices that will create spaces of belonging for campers and staff of all gender identities and sexualities.

Chris Rehs-Dupin, March 2022

Blog posted by The Summer Camp Society

The first time I went to camp I was not worried about where I would sleep. I was not worried about being away from my parents. I was a sleepover expert and knew I could take the time and the distance from my Mom and Dad. I was, and remain, pretty scared of snakes — but I don’t remember that even being on the top of my mind. No, none of these common camp worries occurred to my young seven-year-old brain. I had one major concern… and that was iced tea.

Chris Rehs-Dupin, May 2022

Blog Posted by The Summer Camp Society

Homesickness always has and always will be a part of camp. Allowing campers and staff to partner to decide what will be the best approach (including discontinuing camp) to support the camper will also always be messy… When questions arise about whether someone needs a gentle push to stay, or a trusting adult to help them pack their bags and tell them they did their best, my best advice is to allow for open conversation that centers on the camper and their understanding of their own needs.