Having been both a staff member and a visitor of Camp Kadesh, and as someone embarking on a career as a psychologist, I am deeply concerned about the implications of the camp’s recent choice to align with and endorse the Nashville Statement on biblical gender and sexuality. This concern is not just personal—it has significant ramifications on the mental well-being of children who attend Camp Kadesh.

In the past, Camp Kadesh has always been a place of growth, exploration, and acceptance. As a non-denominational Christian Camp, it has the ability to not commit to specific opinion-based beliefs related to faith and rather has cornerstones such as love, forgiveness, and acceptance at the centre of its values. The Nashville Statement, which is a conservative evangelical Christian statement that delineates and supports traditional marriage and gender roles based on biblical texts, fails to provide an inclusive environment for all individuals, particularly those who identify with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.

Since implementing alignment with the statement, the board has pushed all staff to submit to the described beliefs. There has been an observed uprooting and end of working relationships with nearly all key and influential permanent staff members at Camp Kadesh since the change. It is unclear if the shift may be related to the non-compliance with the Nashville statement and the board's intentions. Reinstating the previous leadership will ensure that the camp continues to be a safe haven for all children, irrespective of their gender identities or sexual orientations. By aligning with this statement, Camp Kadesh sends a message that may inadvertently alienate or harm children who are struggling to understand their own identities, potentially leading to long-lasting mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, decreased self-worth, and suicidal ideation (1 in 4 LGBTQIA+ youth contemplates suicide in Canada).

Providing a nurturing and supportive space is crucial for healthy psychological development. According to numerous studies and reports from mental health organizations, exposure to non-affirming environments can have deleterious effects on young people's mental health. Conversely, fostering an inclusive environment has been shown to promote higher self-esteem and mental health resilience in children, especially minorities.

We call on the Camp Kadesh Board to reconsider its stance and to retract its alignment with the Nashville Statement. Let's ensure Camp Kadesh remains a place where every child feels welcomed, valued, and supported. 

I urge you all to sign this petition to advocate for the mental health and well-being of our campers, and to protect the inclusive environment that Camp Kadesh has always represented. Together, we can encourage the return of a leadership that reflects diverse and inclusive values.

More information and insight can be found at the following links: 

The Nashville Statement:

https://cbmw.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/The-Nashville-Statement.pdf  

Resources and References related to the LGBTQIA+ community and Spirituality

https://docs.google.com/document/d/186GnZ9WJn-i0Ghl0fv5GyIB2G2cL-OID8NUYRYkkda4/edit?usp=sharing