Katie Bowers (she/her) is a storyteller and social worker from Binghamton, NY. Katie has worked in schools for four years, and has worked in outdoor education and adventure-based leadership since 2005. Additionally, she spent a decade organizing fans across the country to use fandom and story to create social change in their communities. Youth empowerment sits at the heart of all of her work, and she is so excited to work with the Beyond Binary Leadership Cohort to help them feel rooted, connected, and ready to make change. When not organizing queer people to change the world, Katie enjoys reading, traveling, and a good walk in the woods.
LGBTQ+ Youth Leadership Cohort Director
Session 2: August 9-15 for ages 18-22
Cheval (he/him) is a trans masc queer returning for his second year at Camp Beyond Binary. He has a BA in anthropology and is a twenty-year equestrian with experience working at a therapeutic riding farm for disabled adults and children. He is also autistic and strongly advocates for the unconditional acceptance of people of that neurotype; his goal at camp is to be the autistic adult he never had growing up.
Sessions 1 & 2: August 2 – 8 and 9-15
Emily (she/her) is a lesbian living in the Greater Binghamton area with her wife and goldendoodle. She is currently in her second year of the MSW program at Binghamton University, and focuses much of her studies and fieldwork on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and community connection. She is currently working with Beyond in Broome county, and is looking forward to her first summer at Camp Beyond Binary this year! Emily grew up in New Hampshire and spent some time living in Boston before moving to the Southern Tier in 2022. Emily loves her new neighborhood and is forever grateful for the community that greeted her with open arms. Emily loves books and when she is not roadtripping to the newest queer-owned bookstore or checking out new local authors at community markets, she spends much of her free time reading her library books or listening to the latest audiobook she downloaded from Libby.
LGBTQ+ Pride All Family Camp June 19-21
and Camp Beyond Binary Sessions 1 & 2: August 2-15
Michael (or Mike) (he, him) is a gay man from the Lower Hudson Valley, formerly of New York City and Long Island. After getting both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Adolescent Education he has spent over a decade teaching Social Studies. This has let him take part in both the Staff Equity Committee as well as Co-Advise the GSA+ at his current high school.
When he isn’t teaching, he spends time hoarding books, working out at the gym, seeing an excessive amount of theater, or bothering his two cats and his husband when they don’t give him enough attention.
Michael is excited to try a new adventure this summer. Camp Beyond Binary Sessions 1 & 2: August 2 – 15
Corrie (she/they) is a queer individual from Syracuse, NY. She graduated from Ithaca College in 2025, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts. They love painting and drawing, but their true passion is digital art. Corrie’s favorite part of camp is seeing everyone get closer throughout the week and making great memories!
Camp Beyond Binary Session 1: August 2-8
Melinda (or Mel) (she/her) is a queer woman who is from Upstate New York. She is a graduate of Binghamton University, with her B.S. in Human Development and Master of Social Work. She currently works as a school social worker with middle and high school students in a school setting in Binghamton, NY.
She deeply values working with young people in exploring who they are, building confidence, and fostering connections with others. She also supports LGBTQ+ in volunteer work through the Trevor Project. Outside of work, you can usually find her cooking, spending time with friends and family, walking her dog Charlie, or learning something new for fun! This will be her first year working at Camp Beyond and she is very excited to meet everyone! Camp Beyond Binary Session 1: August 2-8
Jordan (she/her) is an artist whose creative practice centers around ceramics, storytelling, and visual metaphor as a means of exploring identity, self-compassion, and collective care. Her work often delves into themes of transformation, queerness, and personal narrative. Jordan has been an art educator for over 15 years and currently teaches in Syracuse, NY. Outside the classroom and studio, she enjoys long walks with her dog, going on adventures with her partner, and tending to her houseplants. She’s passionate about building affirming, creative spaces where people can show up fully as themselves.
LGBTQ+ Pride All Family Camp June 19-21 and Camp Beyond Binary
Sessions 1 & 2: August 2-15
Nash aka Beatle (he/him) is a graduate of Wells College, where he received dual degrees in Gender Studies and Environmental Science, in order to help him cultivate a world where queer youth can experience the world of nature in an affirming way. When he isn’t studying to become an EMT or trying to visit every National State Park in the US, you could find him in the pages of a good book and is always taking book recommendations! Nash will serve as Director of Waterfront at camp this summer! LGBTQ+ Pride All Family Camp June 19-21 and Camp Beyond Binary Sessions 1 & 2: August 2-15
Javannah (she/her) is a community health nurse with more than two decades of experience as a healthcare professional. She is also a columnist for Blaque/Out Magazine, which allows her to share her knowledge, compassion, experience, and encouragement to those in the LGBTQIA+ and allied communities.
Davis is the founder and president of the nonprofit organization W.A.V.E Women INC. and is the CEO/owner of Linjé Enterprises LLC. She is a member of the Community Initiative for the local United Way, a member of the University of Rochester Community Advisory Board, a participant in Metro Justice of NY. She is also an ordained minister.
In 2023, Javannah was featured on Rochester Business Journal’s “Power List for LGBTQ+ Business Leaders.” She received the Honorary Fatima Woods Award in both 2018 and 2021 by Next Generation Men of Transition, Roc Black Pride, and BlaqueOut Magazine for her contributions to the community. Javannah was also honored with the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition’s 2024 Monica Roberts Advocacy Award, a national recognition of the work she does as a Black transgender advocate.
Camp Beyond Binary Sessions 1 & 2: August 2-15
Shua (he/him) is an educator, activist, writer, and poet who has lived in many parts of the world. Passionate about people and learning from one another, Shua has earned degrees in Higher Education and Human Development & Family Science from Messiah University. Shua minored in Theatre and has used his versatile storytelling skills in poetry, filmmaking, and writing in support of Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities.
Camp Beyond Binary Sessions 1 & 2: August 2-15
Brenna (she/her) is trans woman who lives in Central New York with her partner and their 3 children. She has been working with middle and high school-aged youth for over 10 years and couldn’t be more excited about camp! Her favorite part of camp is having great conversations while moving between activities! Camp Beyond Binary Session 2: August 9-15
Jenny (she/her) is lesbian who has worked with youth of all ages in the public schools for over 15 years as a speech-language pathologist. She grew up in Massachusetts and now resides in Central New York with her partner, Brenna and their three children. Jenny has been working with youth at summer camps for almost 10 years. She has worked as a day camp counselor, overnight camp counselor, and inclusion counselor at several different camps, reaching a variety of populations. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family and friends, travel, find new music, and watch science fiction. Jenny is excited to return for another summer of Camp Beyond! Her favorite parts of camp are hiking, gathering around the campfire, and making friendship bracelets with campers at the art house. Camp Beyond Binary Session 2: August 9-15
Julio (He/They) is an English Language Arts teacher in Syracuse, NY. He has volunteered with several nonprofit organizations, including Relay For Life, Miami AIDS Walk, and TransLifeline. He is a proud alumnus of Delta Lambda Phi International Social Fraternity, a progressive Greek-letter organization for queer/questioning men and nonbinary individuals, and a lifetime member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. When not teaching, reading, or writing, Julio enjoys watching scary movies, playing video games, and learning new skills. This is Julio’s second summer with Camp Beyond, and they can’t wait to return to some tranquil woods for a break from the hustle of city life. Camp Beyond Binary Sessions 1 & 2: August 2-15
Jordyn (They/Them) recently graduated from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry with a degree in Conservation Biology. They are also a US Army veteran with combat life savers training and mechanical knowledge. Currently they are working on a course that teaches how to grow and maintain ecosystems in urban areas and hope to return to graduate school for a master’s in science communication and education. As a nonbinary individual, they hope to cultivate a love for nature and science for all LGBTQIA+ people in the CNY community and act as a representative for the community in STEAM fields. In their free time, they enjoy spending time with their wife and seven pets that include five cats, a husky, and a ball python. They are also passionate about fishing, hiking, canoeing, photography, art, reading science fiction and fantasy novels, playing Magic the Gathering, and various video games. Camp Beyond Binary Session 1: August 2-8
Daria (she/her) has 23+ years of experience with youth of all ages both in the classroom and as an administrator. She started her Outdoor Education career with Trackers Earth in Bay Area Ca., in the summer of 2017 as a lead instructor, then coordinator, then Director of the Microschool Program. Daria also served as the Regional Director for a year-and-a-half. Daria loves foraging, hiking, animal tracking, birds and bird language, and sustainable wild harvesting. She is passionate about being a guide for children as they learn about the world. She believes that children have a connection to nature and her role is simply to be a guide for that connection. Daria also believes that children are extremely capable. She asks questions rather than tells to encourage children to stay engaged and access the knowledge they already possess!
Camp Beyond Binary Session 2: August 9-15
Emily (she/her) is a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher in Albany, NY. She has been teaching for 6 years to middle and high school students. She is a lifetime Girl Scout and has worked at many different camps as a boating coordinator, lifeguard, and CIT coordinator since 2016. In her free time she likes reading, embroidery, baking, and hiking. This summer, Emily is excited to facilitate sewing projects for campers in the Art House.
Camp Beyond Binary
Sessions 1 & 2: August 2-15
Deb (she/her), is a retired Registered Nurse/Nurse Practitioner who practiced for 44 years. Now retired, Deb has worked as a nurse at Camp Beyond for three years.
Having worked in many different areas, from ICU nurse to Chemical Dependency Treatment Center, to HIV/AIDS provider in Syracuse and Rochester, Deb spent her last 20 years spent as a Nurse Practitioner in College Health. She is a member of the LGBTQAI+ community, and enjoys traveling with her wife. Their daughter has been a camper all four summers.
“From the support, education, activities and fun, I am once again honored to be included in this experience. The counselors, kitchen staff, administrators and especially the campers make Camp Beyond the special place that it is.”
Camp Beyond Binary
Sessions 1 & 2: August 2-15
Emery (he/him) became Director of Beyond in January 2024 having served on its programming team since its first year. Previously, he served for eight years as Deputy Director of Stonewall National Museum & Archives, a museum, library, and archive of American LGBTQ+ history and culture. While there, he was Director of Stonewall National Education Project, a national network of school districts and agencies that shared policy and curriculum for the safety and success of LGBTQ+ k-12 students. Emery is a transgender man from rural NNY who loves the joy that emanates from LGBTQ+ youth when their perspectives are normalized, supported, and when they learn about the legacy of LGBTQ+ people they are part of.
LGBTQ+ Pride All Family Camp June 19-21 and Camp Beyond Binary Sessions 1 & 2: August 2-15
beyondbinary.org 