(FāVS News) — The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane, Washington, has maintained Camp Cross — a 130-acre property on the west side of Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho — for more than a century. Each week throughout summer, the church hosts themed retreats, from Arts and Music Camp to Clergy Camp.
One of those retreats is Queer Camp, a session for LGBTQ+ people and allies of all ages that the church has hosted since 2024. Its third year will run Aug. 28-31.
“My hope is folks can know there is a place where they can be Christian and be their full self,” said camp director Alex Flannagan. “It’s not conditional, no one’s trying to change you, you’re fully welcome.”
Idaho ranks low compared with other states in legal protections for LGBTQ+ people, according to Equaldex data, but the Episcopal Church in the region has marked its history differently. The Episcopal Church has historically supported LGBTQ+ expression in the Inland Northwest region. In 2025, under the direction of Bishop Gretchen Rehberg, the diocese became a major sponsor of Spokane Pride.
Flannagan joined the Diocese of Spokane and Camp Cross in 2024, after 10 years running camps for the Diocese of Olympia. Rehberg immediately supported Flannagan’s idea to start Queer Camp when he pitched it, Flannagan said.
The first session of Queer Camp hosted 25 campers, while 21 attended last year. All camp …