The 2026 Queercraft Meetup takes place September 16–21 in Saugatuck, Michigan. Check-in is on Wednesday, September 16th at 5:00 PM and checkout is on Monday, September 21st at 10:00 AM.

Not at all. While the Queercraft Meetup grew out of the Queercraft gaming community, you do not need to be a member, a Minecraft player, or a gamer of any kind to attend. The meetup is open to anyone 18 or older. If you are looking for a welcoming, low-key gathering of LGBTQ+ people and allies, you are in the right place.

Absolutely. Many first-time attendees arrive not knowing a single person and leave with friendships that last well beyond the week. The meetup is intentionally small and intimate, which means you will know everyone’s name by the end of the first day. Nobody is left to fend for themselves, and the existing community is genuinely good at making newcomers feel at home. If you are on the fence because you do not know anyone, that is exactly the reason to come.

Think less structured event, more long weekend with close friends. Most activities and excursions are done together as a group, which is a big part of what makes the meetup feel like a genuine community rather than a collection of individuals on the same trip.

There’s lots of downtime built into the schedule for decompressing, exploring on your own, or just sitting by the pool. The people who come tend to be warm, genuine, and easy to be around. The vibe tends to take care of itself.

The Queercraft Meetup is built on a foundation of mutual respect, inclusion, and care for one another. All attendees are expected to honor that by agreeing to Prism’s Code of Conduct before arriving. This is not a formality. It is a genuine commitment to making sure everyone, regardless of their identity, background, or experience, feels welcome and protected throughout the week. If something ever feels off during the meetup, Prism staff are present and available. We take concerns seriously and act on them.

You can read the full Code of Conduct here.

Absolutely. The Queercraft Meetup is a lot of things, but it is not a gay club or a pride cruise. It grew out of a gaming community, and the crowd reflects that. People here tend to be nerdy, warm, and a little quirky. What brings everyone together is less about how plugged into queer culture you are and more about wanting genuine connection in a space where you can fully be yourself. If that is what you are looking for, you will fit right in.

Not at all. The Queercraft Meetup is an LGBTQ+-centered event, but straight and cisgender allies have always been a part of our community and are warmly welcome. What matters is that you are here in good faith, with respect for the people around you.

The meetup is held in a spacious private retreat in Saugatuck, Michigan. The property includes multiple living areas, a game room with ping pong, pool table, and foosball, plus a pool, hot tub, and fire pit, giving everyone plenty of ways to relax and connect between scheduled activities. The property is just minutes from Oval Beach and downtown Saugatuck.

Most attendees fly into Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Transportation from GRR to the meetup is included in your registration fee, provided you do not arrive too late in the evening. When booking your flights, try to arrive as close to 3:00 PM on Wednesday, September 16 as possible.

Check-in is at 5:00 PM, so earlier arrivals may have a short wait. Please avoid evening or nighttime arrivals if at all possible, as we may not be able to accommodate late pickups. For departure, book your return flight no earlier than 1:30 PM on Monday, September 21. We have a farewell breakfast that final morning that you will not want to miss, and we may not be able to provide transportation for earlier departures.

Prefer to drive? Plenty of attendees do. There is ample parking at the property. The exact address will be provided to registered attendees closer to the event.

All attendees stay together in a spacious private retreat house. Rooms are shared, with no more than four people per room. If you have a rooming preference, reach out to us and we will do our best to accommodate you.

September in Michigan means unpredictable weather, so layers are your friend. You will want to be prepared for warm sunny days and cool evenings. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Bathing suit and sunscreen for the pool, hot tub, and beach
• A light jacket or hoodie for cooler evenings, especially around the fire pit
• Comfortable walking shoes for excursions and downtown exploring
• Hiking shoes or boots if you plan to join the optional morning hike
• Something colorful to wear for the Saturday night Prism Party, we encourage attendees to wear their pride colors
• Any medications you take regularly

One more thing: leave some extra room in your bag. Between the Prism Party prizes and a trip through Saugatuck’s shops, you will likely be heading home with more than you arrived with. A detailed packing list will be included in your welcome packet sent to registered attendees before the event.

We understand that plans change. If you need to cancel your registration, you are eligible for a full refund up to August 1, 2026. After August 1 we are unable to guarantee a refund, but we will always do our best to work with you. If you have concerns about your ability to attend, please reach out to us as early as possible.

Yes. The Alexandra “Hoon_Dogg” Calhoon Memorial Scholarship is available to anyone who is interested in attending but may not have the financial means to do so. A limited number of scholarships are awarded each year, each covering 50% of the registration fee and reducing the cost from $500 to $250. Applications are reviewed on a needs basis, and priority is given to first-time applicants. The deadline to apply is May 30th. You can learn more and apply here.

Your registration fee covers almost everything, but there are a couple of things to budget for separately. The group goes out for dinner together one evening, and there is time for shopping in downtown Saugatuck. We generally suggest budgeting around $150 to cover both, though of course how much you spend is entirely up to you.

Because the Queercraft Meetup is a program of Prism, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, you might wonder if your registration fee qualifies as a charitable donation. Unfortunately it does not. The fee covers the cost of goods and services you will receive during the meetup, including lodging, meals, transportation, and excursions, and the IRS requires that a donation exceed the fair market value of anything received in return to be deductible.

US-based attendees pay via Cash App. Canadian and other international attendees pay via PayPal Giving Fund. Payment instructions will be sent via email after your registration is reviewed. Your spot is not confirmed until your deposit has been received.

We do our best to accommodate common dietary needs when planning meals. Vegetarian options are always available. More restrictive diets such as vegan or severe food allergies may be harder to fully accommodate given the nature of a home-cooked communal setting, but we will always work with you. If needed, we can assist with grocery runs so you can supplement meals with your own food. Just let us know your needs on the registration form and we will be in touch if we have any concerns.

Please note any medical conditions, medications, or accessibility needs on your registration form so we can do our best to support you during the week.

Regarding physical accessibility: the meetup takes place in a private retreat that includes steps at the entrance and a lower level where communal spaces and activities are located. The lower level is not wheelchair accessible. If you rely on a wheelchair or scooter for mobility, the meetup may unfortunately not be the right fit at this time. If you use a mobility aid such as a cane or walker, or have other accessibility needs, please describe them on the registration form and we will reach out to discuss what we can accommodate.

If you have questions about whether the meetup can meet your needs before registering, please reach out to us directly. We would rather have that conversation early than have anyone arrive unprepared.