OVERVIEW

Sex Camp is an innovative, low-cost, and festive event providing factual, Penn-tailored sexual health information and resources to undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The goal is to support informed decision making around sexual behavior and its potential consequences. In 2009, the Sex Camp team was recognized by Penn as 2009 Model’s of Excellence Honorable Mention.  Since 2006, Sex Camp has been offered for a variety of audiences at Penn including student leaders, College House and Sansom Place staff and residents, and the Graduate Student Center.

HISTORY

Sex Camp was initiated by the Office of Health Promotion/Education in collaboration with several VPUL offices including Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Health Service, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center and Makuu Black Cultural Center.  The program also collaborates with staff from the Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) as well as various local organizations and vendors.

During 2005-06, student affairs staff witnessed a significant increase in the number of student concerns and risks related to sexual health and relationships among Penn students. This included disparity in the level of high school sex education prior to coming to Penn; confusion about the “hook-up” culture on campus; and Penn data suggesting a significant gap between perceptions of safer sex practices among Penn students and actual self-reports of safer sex practices and behaviors. Since that time, editorials in the DP and recommendations from student organizations (UA) have advocated for more comprehensive sex education for Penn students.

SEXUAL HEALTH TOPICS ADDRESSED @ Sex Camp 

• Abstinence
• Physical Exams
• What it means to have “safer sex” and to how to use safer sex methods of protection
• Testing available for sexually transmitted infections including HIV
• Contraceptives
• Issues of consent and risk reduction for sexual violence
• Research updates on HIV vaccine and related clinical trials
• The safe use of sex toys

FORMAT

In a fun and social environment, participants are “fast tracked” through a series of topics and interactions with credible campus and local sexual health experts. Students also participate in small group discussion concerning the relationship and dating “culture” on campus.  Incentives such as food and prizes are linked to the completion of a camp “passport.”

CRITERIA FOR HOSTING

The sponsoring or host organization commits to the following: (1) identifying and reserving venue for event (large enough space to accommodate a minimum of 10 tables (6 ft); (2) marketing event to intended audience; and,(3) creative ideas about how to make the event fun and festive (atmosphere, food, and other incentives.)  Host organization must guarantee a minimum attendance of 75 participants.

Sex Camp organizers provide the experts, educational materials/products including the passports, and prizes for participation (Sex Camp t-shirts, sexual health books/toys, gift cards to Amazon.com etc.)

For more information on hosting contact:
Susan Villari, Director of Health Promotion/Education
Student Health Service
villari@upenn.edu
215-746-0851.