The Diversity Center’s Youth Programs provide safe, affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and allies to connect, express themselves, and build community through social events, leadership opportunities, and creative workshops. We empower young people by fostering resilience, self-discovery, and advocacy, ensuring they feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
For more information, please contact our Director of Well-being Programs via email here.
Special Events & Activities
CampOUT with The Diversity Center and Big Sur Land Trust
Dates: Tuesday July 8th - Thursday July 10
Location: Glen Deven Ranch in Big Sur
Cost: FREE
Ages: LGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 14-18 from Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties
RSVP: tinyurl.com/campout2025TDCBSLT
(Space is limited to 20 campers)
🌟 What's Camp OUT All About? 🌟
Camp OUT is more than just a camping trip – it is about making new friends, building community and reconnecting with nature! Join us for a glamping getaway where you can be your truest self, surrounded by like-minded peers and camp counselors who understand and support you every step of the way. Get ready to relax by the pool, enjoy delicious meals, share stores by the campfire, and maybe even spot a shooting star or two!
🌈 Who's Invited? 🌈
Camp OUT with The Diversity Center and Big Sur Land Trust is FREE and open to LGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 14-18 who are looking for a safe, supportive, and seriously fun camping experience! Space is limited to 20 campers.
🏞️ Where Will We Be? 🏞️
We have been invited to a beautiful new location for Camp OUT 2025! We'll be pitching our tents and soaking up the beauty of nature at Big Sur Land Trust Glen Deven Ranch in Big Sur.
Tuesday July 8th - Thursday July 10th
🎉 What Can You Expect? 🎉
Our camp counselors will help you set-up your tent at Glen Deven Ranch. Big Sur Land Trust's Camp Chef will provide delicious and nutritious meals through the duration of camp. We can accommodate any and all dietary restrictions. Snacks and beverages will be available all weekend.
The Diversity Center and Big Sur Land Trust Camp Counselors will offer a variety of activities for campers to enjoy. From nature walks to tie dye, our days end with campfire chats and smores. There's something for everyone at Camp OUT. Whether you're a seasoned camper or a first-time adventurer, you'll have the chance to relax, unwind, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
🎟️ How Do You Reserve Your Spot? 🎟️
You can register for Camp OUT 2025 by completing this form.
***Important information***
Camp OUT with Big Sur Land Trust 2025 dates: Tuesday July 8 - Thursday July 10
Camp OUT location: Big Sur Land Trust Glen Deven Ranch in Carmel
Camp OUT is for LGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 14-18.
Tuesday July 8th 10:30 AM Camper Drop off at Carmel location. Big Sur Land Trust will transport our campers to Glen Deven Ranch in Carmel.
Thursday July 10 3:00 PM Camper Pick up at Carmel
Campers and their Parent/guardian/caregiver will receive a Camp OUT Welcome Packet via email on June 4th 2025. Campers and their Parent/guardian/caregiver member MUST be signed the required forms from The Diversity Center and Big Sur Land Trust in order to attend Camp OUT. The Camp OUT Welcome Packet will include information about the drop off and pick up location. It will also include all the required forms to review and sign.
Big Sur Land Trust and The Diversity Center want to make camping accessible to everyone. Camp OUT is FREE thanks to the support of generous grantors and individual donors! Additional donations are welcome.
Big Sur Land Trust inspires love of land across generation, conservation of our unique Monterey County landscapes, and access to outdoor experiences for all. https://bigsurlandtrust.org/ We are so grateful that they want to share Glen Deven Ranch with our LGBTQ+ community.
Monterey County Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council Zoom Meetings
Hosted by: Rainbow Connections, The Diversity Center, Our Gente, and QYTC
Dates: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month; June 4 and June 18
Time: 4:15-5:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Ages: Monterey and San Benito County Middle and High School LGBTQ+ youth and allies
RSVP: tinyurl.com/montereyrcyec
🌈 Join the Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council! 🌈
Are you an LGBTQ+ youth or ally in middle or high school who wants to make a difference in Monterey County? The Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council is a space where YOU can:
✨ Shape LGBTQ+ programs – Be the visionaries behind Rainbow Connections youth events! Help plan an event for LGBTQ+ youth in Monterey county.
✨ Build leadership skills – Develop leadership skills, share your input and ideas to help improve programs and services for LGBTQ+ youth in your community.
✨ Connect with a supportive community – Meet other LGBTQ+ youth, create a safe space where we can share resources and receive peer to peer support.
📅 Meetings: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month, 4:15-5:00 PM on Zoom
Sign up here to receive the Zoom information.
Rainbow Kids Circle
Date: Every First Saturday: June 7
Ages: 5-11
For Details Contact: rainbowkidscircle@gmail.com
Rainbow Kids Circle is a monthly 90-minute playgroup for gender diverse, LGBTQ+ kids and allies ages 5-11, and their families. The group meets on the first Saturday of each month. Participating kids must be accompanied by an adult family member. Siblings ages 10 and under are welcome to attend. Families will have the opportunity to do arts and crafts, read a story, enjoy a snack, and engage in free play with other gender-diverse, LGBTQ+ kids and allies. Together we will create an accepting, affirming playgroup. This group is facilitated by Sara. For more information about the meeting date, time, and location please contact rainbowkidscircle@gmail.com.
S’more Summer Love Beach Bonfire
Date: Tuesday, June 17
Time: 6:00-8:30
Location: Twin Lakes Beach
Age: LGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 11-18
RSVP: tinyurl.com/TDCyouth2025
We’ll be roasting weenies, making s’mores and soaking up the magic of summer together.
🌈✨Join us for a S’more Summer Love Bonfire at Twin Lakes Beach.
📍 Look for the white easy-up with the pirate flag 🏴☠️
🍢 Food & snacks provided. Please RSVP so we can bring enough treats for everyone!
🪑 Bring a camping chair if you can or a towel to sit on. We will have some blankets to share.
🧥 Dress in layers—it gets chilly after sunset!
🌈 Here, Queer & Thriving: Space to Be Me! Youth Pride Night – Open Mic & Dance
Hosted by: Rainbow Connections, Monterey County Behavioral Health, The Epicenter, Our Gente, The Diversity Center, Harmony at Home, Dragonfly Forward, Partners for Peace and You will Rise.
Date: Saturday June 21
Time: 5:30-7:30
Location: Palenke Arts Center @ Martin Luther King School of the Arts
1713 Broadway Ave, Seaside, CA 93955
Age: This is a space for LGBTQ+ youth ages 24 and under
RSVP: tinyurl.com/YouthPrideNight2025
✨ What to expect:
🎤 Open Mic featuring the incredible Mozell Ward
🎶 DJ + Dance floor vibes
🍽 Delicious food
🌈 Resource Fair with local organizations
💬 A supportive space to connect and be celebrated
Let’s uplift LGBTQ+ youth voices and celebrate Pride together!
RSVP to save your spot – we can’t wait to see you there!
Youth Meet-Up + Threads of Love Art Exhibit Visit @ the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History
Date: Sunday June 22
Time: 11:45-1:00 lunch at Abbott Square, 1:00-2:00 Threads of Love Exhibit visit with The Diversity Center @ MAH
Location: The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History Solari Gallery
Age: LGBTQ+ youth and allies 11-18
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/TDCyouth2025
Exhibit Description: Join us for a special youth gathering to experience the powerful Threads of Love: The AIDS Memorial Quilt exhibit together! We’ll meet up for pizza in abbot square before heading into the gallery to view the exhibit. Threads of Love: The AIDS Memorial Quilt is a love letter to our community's past, present, and future—featuring panels from the National AIDS Memorial Quilt, the Never the Last Love Letter documentary, our Queer Liberation Quilt, and art celebrating 50 years of Santa Cruz Pride. Learn more about the exhibit at santacruzmah.org/exhibitions/threads-of-love-2025
Please RSVP so that we can plan our lunch and exhibit visit needs!
Pride Documentary - 2000's: Y2Gay Screening and Discussion W/ Zak from The Diversity Center
Date: Thursday, June 26th
Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
Location: Simpkins Swim Center, Live Oak Library Annex, 979 17th Ave.
Ages: All ages
RSVP: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13996351
Celebrate 50 years of Santa Cruz Pride with a semi-weekly screening of PRIDE, a six-part documentary series chronicling the fight for LGBTQ civil rights in America. All screenings take place on Thursday evenings from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Live Oak Library Annex at the Simpkins Swim Center except for the Juneteenth Holiday. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is recommended, and drop-ins are welcome.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Capitola Branch Library and is part of our Summer Reading Program, Color Our World. This series will also be screened at the Branciforte Branch starting in June.
Live Oak Annex Dates:
May 15 Episode 1 • 1950's: People Had Parties
May 22 Episode 2 • 1960's: Riots and Revolutions
May 29 Episode 3 • 1970's: The Vanguard of Struggle
June 5 Episode 4 • 1980's: Underground
June 12 Episode 5 • 1990's: The Culture Wars
June 26 Episode 6: • 2000's: Y2Gay
Be an Upstander Workshop for Youth with The Diversity Center @ Pajaro Valley Arts
Date: Wednesday, July 2
Time: 2:00-3:30 PM
Location: Pajaro Valley Arts, 37 Sudden St, Watsonville, CA 95076
Age: Youth ages 11-18
RSVP: https://pvarts.org/events/be-an-upstander/
Ever seen something messed up and didn’t know what to do? This workshop gives you the tools to speak up and be an upstander. We’ll break down what bullying really looks like, how it shows up at school, home and online, and how to go from bystander to upstander. You’ll hear real scenarios, talk it out with your peers, and walk away with ways to actually do something—safely and confidently.
This isn’t your typical "don't be a bully" talk. This is about owning your power, helping others, and creating a community where people have each other's backs.
Why You Should Join:
🔍 Spot It: Know the signs of bullying and why ignoring it only makes it worse.
❤️ Feel It: Tap into empathy and learn how to stand up for someone.
✊ Do Something: Practice ways to step in, whether that means speaking up, checking in, or finding help.
🌈 Change the Vibe: Learn how even small acts of kindness and courage can change our community.
🛠 Build a Better Space: Help create a space where people feel respected, seen, and safe just being themselves.
❤️ Enjoy snacks and meet new people!
From Our Partners
School Support
The Diversity Center offers support to Santa Cruz County schools by visiting Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) and providing educational presentations and training for students and staff.
Community Partnerships
The Diversity Center is open to working in partnership with local teens and organizations to plan fun, educational, and activist-oriented events. Please contact us!