Family Fat Float

The Fat Float is an intentional pool party where fat and queer folks and the children in their life are celebrated! This is a gender-inclusive event for families created by body-affirming professionals and activists where children are welcomed.

Tickets are required to attend, with a suggested offering of $11 per person. But don't worry, we don't want cost to be a barrier to anyone attending. If you can't afford that, pay our sliding scale options - no questions asked. If you can afford more, buy yourself a ticket and cover the cost of another person who can't afford the cost of the float. Your contribution will help cover the cost of the pool rental, lifeguard wages, non-alcoholic drinks, decorations, pool floats and games.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The outdoor pool at YMCA Camp Arrowhead is reserved for our private event on Sunday September 1st at 6:00 PM. The SplashPad will also be on and available.

There are approximately 20 chairs on the pool deck (some with arms, some without) and plenty of space to spread out a towel/blanket or bring your own chair. There are parking spaces at the foot of the hill in the two adjacent parking lots.

We'll have a playlist going that you're welcome to contribute to on Spotify. A link to that will be sent out in an email closer to the event.

WHAT TO BRING: Whatever you need to feel comfortable! At minimum, your swimsuit, a towel, and sunscreen. You're also welcome to bring a chair or blanket, and a fun floatie. Bring a photo of a fat ancestor or a fat role model for our Fat Ancestry board. No pets, no drugs or alcohol, no glass especially on the pool deck. Bring some snacks, some drinks. Anything you need to be comfortable.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES: There is an uphill walk from the parking lot. A drop-off loop is available in front of the facility. There are no stairs to the pool area or the changing areas. Pool entrances include ladders (in the deep and shallow ends), and an ADA-compliant pool lift that staff operate. Changing areas are labeled 'men' and 'women,' but we encourage folks to use the area that is most gender-affirming. A family changing room and single-stall bathroom are available.

COVID: As a community event, we expect that everyone will make choices that are in the best interest of the community including:

• Stay home if you are not feeling well or are sick
• Test before you go! Stay home if you test positive.
• Spread out! Keeping your distance keeps us safer.
• Seek fresh, moving air
• Ask for what you need from your fellow community members

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT: We recognize the impact of a non-profit corporation utilizing Indigenous names for camps and that this property is located on the unceded land of the Onodowaga (Seneca) people. We will be collecting funds to support Ganondagan State Historic Site located in Victor, NY. It is a National Historic Landmark, the only New York State Historic Site dedicated to a Native American theme , and the only Seneca town developed and interpreted in the United States.

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES: *Thanks to The Pincus Center for this language.

• Avoid talking about diets, intentional weight loss, weight loss surgery or similar topics that could be triggering to others.
• Avoid engaging in negative self-talk about your body, how you look in a swimsuit, or how much you're eating. We want to have fun and stay neutral about our bodies and eating habits.
• If you feel comfortable, share your pronouns when you introduce yourself to a new friend, and make sure you remember and use theirs.
• Don't touch anyone without their clear consent unless they need to be saved from drowning.
• Be careful how you're complimenting other people - flirting is great, but fetishizing people isn't.
• If you're bringing a straight-sized partner or friend with you, please talk to them about what it means to center the comfort and safety of fat folks and make sure they've read these tips.

In other words, avoid:

• Diet/Weight Talk
• Body Policing (criticizing appearances)
• Food shaming (judging food options or eating habits)
• Health or concerning trolling (keep your health advice to yourself)
• Gender policing (reinforcing gender roles)
• Ableism (discrimination against people with disabilities)
• Racist beauty standards.
• Racism
• Transphobia
• Fatphobia
• Homophobia

Read more about our values here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15D9s3WYhfrgDVuLbCCuZ5xIbHaTD2JPMt5nK46se3Jk/edit.

Questions? Email [email protected]. Fat Camp ROC is lead by Jenna Weintraub, Sexuality Educator and Body Appreciation Coach.

Host or Publisher Fat Camp ROC