A summer camp in Indiana has found itself at the center of a controversy surrounding transgender ideology and its impact on children. Camp Whitley's recent requirement that campers aged 7-14 provide their preferred pronouns on registration forms has drawn criticism from parents and Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.).
Banks, who attended Camp Whitley as a child, expressed concern in a letter to American Camp Association (ACA) CEO Tom Rosenberg. He stated that many constituents had contacted his office, worried about the promotion of transgender ideology to young campers. The ACA, which accredits camps nationwide, has also faced scrutiny for its "Checklist for Gender Inclusive Practices at Camp," which reportedly includes items such as granting biological male campers access to girls' showers, restrooms, and sleeping quarters.
Banks asserted that Camp Whitley's pronoun policy stems from ACA recommendations and accused the ACA of enforcing a partisan agenda, disregarding medical evidence, and potentially jeopardizing camper safety. He also questioned the ACA's use of resources to promote what he considers far-left gender ideology, citing training materials and marketing resources that address transgender issues. The congressman further suggested that the ACA's actions might violate Indiana law prohibiting nonprofits from using substantial resources for propaganda.
Banks questioned whether the ACA has guidelines addressing the safety and preferences of children who do not wish to share facilities with members of the opposite sex. He strongly criticized the introduction of such topics in a summer camp setting, stating, "Summer camps are the last place in America we should allow to go woke. Camps are for playgrounds, not pronouns."
This incident follows Banks's introduction of the Fairness in Higher Education Accreditation Act with Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), aiming to prevent accreditors from mandating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and protect free speech on campuses. Banks argues that accrediting bodies exert significant pressure on universities to conform to these standards, potentially leading to reputational and financial consequences for non-compliance. Fox News Digital reached out to both Camp Whitley and the ACA for comment.
