Summer Camp, Pool Parties and Sleepovers: A Guide for Trans and Gender-Diverse Kids

Summer camp, pool parties and sleepovers can be some of the best days of the year, and some of the most stressful for trans and gender-diverse kids. They involve swimsuits, shared locker rooms and cabins. A little planning ahead usually makes them manageable, and often a lot of fun.

The short version: talk to the camp or host early, find swimwear that feels right (and is safe to swim in), agree on a changing plan, and pack for privacy. This guide covers each step, with packing lists at the end.

Parents and teens: this guide is for both of you. The final section is just for young people.

Choosing and talking to a camp

Contact the camp well before your child arrives, ideally when you register. Camps are busy in the weeks before opening, and early notice gives staff time to plan quietly.

Agree on privacy first. Before you share anything, ask who will be told and why. Your child should decide how much is shared. Many families ask that only the director and your child's counselor know.

Questions to ask:

• How are cabins assigned? Can my child bunk with friends they feel safe with?
• What are the bathroom and shower setups? Are there private stalls or individual showers?
• What swimwear is allowed? Can my child wear a swim binder, rash guard or swim shirt and board shorts?
• Where do campers change for swimming?
• Will staff use my child's name and pronouns, including on cabin lists and name tags?
• Who should my child go to if something goes wrong?
• Have you hosted trans or nonbinary campers before?

Policies vary. Camps set their own policies, and some are affected by state laws or by the organization that runs them. You don't need to know the details; asking "what's your policy for trans and nonbinary campers?" is a fine starting point.

Consider an affirming camp. Some camps are designed specifically for LGBTQ+ youth or welcome trans campers explicitly. Your local PFLAG chapter or LGBTQ+ center may know of options near you.

Put what you agree in a short email afterward, so everyone has the same record.

What to wear in the water

Use a swim binder for swimming. Many chest binders use rigid internal panels that stop the ribcage from expanding when you breathe deeply, and swimming needs deep breaths. Transform binders don't have rigid panels, but our swim binders are made specifically for the water: quick-dry, chlorine-resistant and UV-protective. If your child binds, a swim binder is the right choice for the pool, lake or camp.

Option	What it does	Good for
Swim binder, tank length	Chest compression in swimwear fabric; sits at the hip for more coverage	Kids who want their stomach covered too
Swim binder, crop length	Same compression; sits at the midriff	Wearing with high-waisted board shorts or swim trunks
Rash guard or swim shirt	Loose coverage and sun protection over a swimsuit	Extra coverage; allowed at most pools and camps
Board shorts or swim trunks	Relaxed fit with more coverage	Pairing with a swim binder or rash guard
Tucking swimwear or femme swim styles	A smoother front and a feminine fit	Trans girls and trans-femme kids

 

Fit check before camp. Have your child try the swim binder on at home a week or two ahead. They should move their arms, twist, bend and take several deep breaths. It should feel snug, but it should never pinch, rub or make breathing hard. If it does, it's probably too small. See our size guide.

Do a test swim if you can. A trip to a local pool before camp means no surprises.

A rash guard on its own is fine. Some kids just want coverage, not compression. A loose swim shirt and board shorts are common at camp and draw no attention.

Locker rooms and changing

Choose the plan with your child, not for them. The best plan is the one they feel comfortable with.

• Wear the swimsuit under clothes. Putting it on before leaving the cabin or house removes the first change entirely. Pack dry underwear for afterward.
• Use a private stall or single-user restroom. Ask the camp or pool to confirm one is available and that your child can use it without having to explain why.
• Change at a different time. Some kids change just before or after the main rush, with a counselor's quiet agreement.
• Bring a changing robe or poncho. A hooded towel robe lets you change anywhere without anyone seeing anything. Lots of kids use them, so they don't stand out.
• Have a buddy. A trusted friend can wait outside a stall or come along at changing time.

After swimming: take the swim binder off as soon as practical and change into dry clothes. Don't leave a wet binder on all afternoon.

Cabins, showers, pool parties and sleepovers

Cabins. Ask how cabins are assigned and whether your child can bunk with friends they trust. If a shared cabin feels unsafe, ask what other options there are.

Showers. Ask whether there are private showers or set shower times. A changing robe helps here too.

Binding overnight. Don't sleep in a chest binder. Pack something comfortable to wear at night instead, such as a loose sports top, a hoodie or a sleep shirt with a busy pattern. Plan for binder breaks during the day as well. 

Laundry. Pack enough binders or swim binders to rotate, plus a small wet bag for anything damp. Check whether the camp does laundry.

Pool parties and sleepovers. These are usually easier because there are fewer people and you can talk to the host parent directly. Things to sort out with your child first:

• Does the host family know your child's name and pronouns, and does your child want them to?
• Where will your child change and sleep?
• Is swimming involved, and what's the plan for changing?
• Can your child call you to come home early without needing a reason?

Agree on a code word or text your child can send if they want to leave. That way they never have to explain in front of anyone.

Packing lists

Summer camp (add to the camp's own list)

• Swim binder, rash guard or chosen swimsuit
• Board shorts, swim trunks or tucking swimwear
• Enough binders to rotate, plus a wet bag
• Comfortable sleepwear to wear instead of a binder at night
• Changing robe or large towel for showers and swimming
• Name of the staff member to go to if something's wrong
• Sunscreen, hat and a water bottle
• A note from you in their bag (optional, but kids often love it)

Pool party or pool day

• Swimsuit (worn under clothes if that's the plan)
• Changing robe or towel
• Dry underwear and a dry top
• Wet bag
• Everyday binder or sports top to change into, if your child binds

Sleepover

• Comfortable sleepwear
• Change of clothes and underwear
• Swimsuit, if there's a pool
• Phone, charger and your agreed code word

For teens: you get a say

It's your body and your summer, so the plan should work for you.

• You decide who knows. You can ask your parent or the camp to keep things between as few staff as possible.
• Practice first. Wear your swimsuit around the house, then try a local pool. It's much easier at camp if it already feels normal.
• Have an exit plan. Know which counselor to go to, and agree on a message you can send home if you need to.
• Look after yourself. Take your binder off if it hurts or you can't breathe properly. 

If you want to talk to someone who gets it, The Trevor Project is free and open 24/7: call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678.

Safety notes

• Use a swim binder for swimming rather than an everyday binder, and never swim in a binder with rigid internal panels.
• Stop and take the binder off if there's pain, rubbing, dizziness or trouble breathing.
• Don't sleep in a binder.
• If you have questions about binding and your child's health, talk to your family doctor.

Transform Transwear is a clothing business. This guide is general information, not medical advice.