COLAGE PTown Day 5 (7.31.08)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dakotafine/2786502501/, originally uploaded by DAKOTAFINE.

Day 5 brought us "Do Something" workshops, an all-star teen panel, a Kate Clinton benefit show, and the much anticipated all-COLAGE dance.

COLAGE PTown Day 4 (7.30.08)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dakotafine/2784932083/, originally uploaded by DAKOTAFINE.

Day 4 brought to us teen workshops, a major donor reception, and the COLAGE Crew hangout night.

COLAGE Family Week Day 3 (7.29.08)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dakotafine/2719744617/, originally uploaded by DAKOTAFINE.

Day 3 brought the COLAGE Olympics for the youngers... one of my all-time favorite workshops (maybe because I brought it to COLAGE via Summerbridge ;)... it also brought "Eat With the Experts" and the COLAGE Boston family pizza dinner.

COLAGE Family Week Day 2 (7.28.08)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dakotafine/2717270358/, originally uploaded by DAKOTAFINE.

Whereas day one featured a parade and some get to know you activities, day two signified commencement of our official programming. As any COLAGEr would likely tell you, illustrating our families has become a rite of passage... an activity we do at pretty much all ages. Day 2 also called for the annual COLAGE kick ball game, a favorite amongst all ages.

COLAGE PTown Family Week Day 1 (7.27.08)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dakotafine/2710388211/, originally uploaded by DAKOTAFINE.

Every summer for the past 5 summers, I've spent a week in Provincetown, MA, towards the end of July/beginning of August. The purpose is in service of an organization called COLAGE, for which I actively serve on the board of directors. Recently, we revised COLAGE's mission to read...

"COLAGE is a national movement of children, youth, and adults with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer (LGBTQ) parents. We build community and work toward social justice through youth empowerment, leadership development, education, and advocacy."

In past years, my service at Family Week has revolved around youth leadership development; running workshops and serving as a volunteer staff member, which is similar to being a camp counselor. But this year, I elected to serve as the staff photographer focussing almost all of my energy towards documenting the magic that is Family Week. I will post here several examples of some of the images from each day of family week that have emerged in my mind as great examples of the energy and emotion that is Family Week.