Meet Andrew, Our Camp Director!
Hey Camp Lightbulb family! For those who don’t know me, my name is Andrew Wyant (he/him), and I’ve been working with Camp Lightbulb since March 2021 as an in-person summer camp counselor and virtual counselor. This summer, I will be taking on the role of Camp Director for Provincetown, Los Angeles, and New York City camps, and I couldn’t be more excited! I’m a middle school Special Ed teacher in Los Angeles during the rest of the year. I absolutely love it. I am also the Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club faculty advisor. Working with young people has always been my passion since I was 14, teaching swim lessons at my community pool. In more recent years, I’ve realized that working with and supporting queer youth is another passion of mine, which eventually led me to Camp Lightbulb!
Working at Camp Lightbulb’s Virtual Clubhouse has caused me to reflect on my queer journey. I had been fortunate to live just outside of San Francisco in a relatively queer-friendly area and grew up in an affirming and supportive household. As I reflected, I realized that it had been just over ten years since I first spoke “I’m gay” to my best friend one afternoon during my senior year of high school. That short statement took the wind out of me. I felt like I was watching the conversation from the sideline with no control over how it would go. I immediately started crying. I shouldn’t have been surprised when my friend hugged me, told me he loved me just the same and thanked me for trusting him with my truth. For the first time, I felt like I could be who I was when I was with him, and this new freedom started my journey that eventually led to the person I am today. Ten years later, the importance of community and relationships has come to the forefront of my mind. More specifically, the idea of belonging versus fitting in.
Nearly five years ago, I moved from Western New York, where I went to college, to Los Angeles, and it changed my life. Going around the city and seeing pride flags at people’s homes, on flagpoles at city offices, and in schools made me feel seen. For the first time as an adult, I lived in an area where it wasn’t surprising to see other queer people out and about. For the first time, I had more friends that were queer than not. I felt like I wasn’t trying to fit in anymore. I felt a sense of belonging.
Now, I’m able to be my authentic self every day with pride, which includes still exploring who I am as I learn and experience new things. Having a community of people who make me feel like I belong has helped me be happy with who I am. It’s something I wish for every person, especially young people. I think back to my friend who helped me find that sense of belonging when I was younger, and I can’t help but think how amazing it would have been to feel that way with everyone around me. That’s what I want camp to be.
As I look ahead to this magical summer, I can barely contain my excitement! As the camp director, I want to help create a camp experience where all of our amazing campers feel a sense of belonging. To know they are loved and celebrated for being who they are. I can’t wait for all of the memories and life-long friendships to be made this summer, and I’m looking forward to meeting all of our new campers and seeing our returners again!