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When Rebecca and Abigail went to camp this summer they hiked, swam, canoed, watched over the younger kids as junior counselors, played dozens of games, and, most likely, ate more than their share of toasted marshmallows. Abut they also did something that they could not have anywhere else in the world - they spent an entire week with a group of kids just like themselves, children of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered parents.

"We've finally found a community where we're accepted no matter what, "said 17-year-old Rebecca, a high school junior. "It's all about relating to other children. Parents already have their places where they get support."

It's great not having to worry about what you say or the stories you tell," added Abigail, two years younger than Rebecca and not as quick to voice her opinions to strangers.

The two young women, who live with their older sister, their biological mother Mary, and her partner of seven years Margot, agree that Camp Lavendar Hill has been a turning point in their young lives. Held at a private campground near Nevada City, this special camp offers two weeklong sessions for youngsters growing up in non-heterosexual households.

There are a handful of other camps across the US and Canada for all types of alternative families, both kids and adults, as well as two camps for lesbian and gay families, in Provincetown and Marin County, but this is the only one where kids of non-heterosexual parents can get away together.

"They don't need therapy. They don't need a lot of extravagant services. they just need to get together, get the adults out of the way. Let them decide if its OK to have gay parents," said Chris Stone, one of the founders and chief honchos of the camp.

Van Stone first conceived of the idea for the camp in 1992, when, as counselor for a camp out of gay, lesbian and bisexual teenagers held at a Russian River resort, she realized the power of bringing kids together for a week or two in a safe and encouraging environment.

For the first two years, 1994-1995, the camp operated under the umbrella of Marin County's Spectrum, where Van Stone served as the coordinator of the center's group for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth, Rainbow's End.

The camp took a year off in 1996 when its three directors, Van Stone, who is a therapist, Cindy Romero, a former special education teacher, and clinical social worker Cathy Brenegan decided they needed some time to make plans for the future.

This year the camp was back again, with about 40 youngsters, as well as a group of gay, lesbian and bisexual youth, and some former campers who earned room and board and a $100 stipend to serve as counselors.

It is a non-profit operation, with everybody except the youth counselors, serving in a volunteer capacity. That includes the three directors, a two-member board, two camp nurses, and other volunteers.

In order to provide some scholarship money for kids whose parents can't afford the camp fees, the organization holds two fundraisers each year. One of them is scheduled for this month - the Women's Weekend golf tournament which will be held at Northwood Golf Course near Monte Rio Saturday, September 28.

And is all the time, money and effort worth while? Here's what Abigail has to say.

"The sort of connections you make in a week can be stronger than the connections I've made in years. I want to be a counselor there until I can't be a counselor anymore."

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