May 2nd-4th, 2025
Greater Damariscotta Area
Registration will open in February, 2025. Please email tara@outmaine.org with questions.
About Rainbow Ball Weekend
Looking for a reason to dust off your instrument, get dressed up and play some games, all while connecting with your peers?
Rainbow Ball is a weekend-long experience for LGBTQ+ youth to safely express themselves.
Get outside with us and enjoy the views of the lake while making new friends through RPGs, art, and outdoor exploration.
Strut your stuff on stage and show us what you got in our annual talent show. Pick a ‘fit’ from our glam boutique and join us for an LGBTQ+ safe prom.
Frequently Asked Questions
School/Youth Groups
Schools or Youth Groups will arrange transportation for students to and from the event and will also provide chaperones who will stay the weekend with the students. Each school or youth group may send up to 2 adult chaperones. Chaperones do not pay a fee to attend because they are volunteering, but donations towards expenses or your students’ registration fees are welcomed!
Individuals
Weekend Schedule
Friday
Afternoon and Evening – Arrive with whatever talent (music, poetry, dance, ventriloquy, fire breathing, you name it!) you registered to perform OR your best audience attitude to cheer on your peers at the Talent Show created BY and FOR attending students.
Saturday
Morning and Afternoon – You’ll be moving between small group team building activities and various workshops (1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices will be available on the registration form). Past workshops have included anything from Queer Sex Ed to Creative Writing.
Evening – The excuse you have been waiting for to attend an LGBTQ+ friendly prom, with formal wear donated by friends and allies, free of charge! If you aren’t in the mood to dance the night away, leave at any time in preference of our quiet hangout room, providing quiet games and coloring to students.
Sunday
Morning – Fill up with a good breakfast before checking out and heading home from the weekend!
History of Rainbow Ball Weekend
Started 16 years ago, Rainbow Ball Weekend is larger than an event, it’s a 3-day weekend of educational and social programming for 150 Maine lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning (LGBTQ+) and allied high school students. Rainbow Ball Weekend builds community and connections, opens youth to a wider world of more acceptance and opportunity, and encourages educational aspirations.
Rainbow Ball Weekend’s programming and activities directly address the isolation, underdeveloped aspirations, academic challenges, health risks and lack of hope faced by many Maine LGBTQ+ youth. Each year, youth look forward to this weekend, which includes a safe prom, workshops, and leadership skill-building. Rainbow Ball Weekend is a direct youth suicide prevention intervention, giving participants a year-long sense of community, hope, joy, and motivation to complete high school that is supported by ongoing regional youth-connecting events in the ensuing months.
“I found myself being completely carefree, and open about my sexuality. That’s something I’ve never been able to do before.”
– Rainbow Ball Weekend youth participant.
Support Rainbow Ball Weekend!
Rainbow Ball Weekend is made possible by donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. Your support helps make this important weekend happen!
We also hold a clothing drive for the FREE pop-up boutique that is on campus during the weekend. Many teens get their prom outfits from the boutique. If you would like to donate clothes, accessories, or makeup (makeup must be unopened) please email rachel@outmaine.org.
How Much Do You Need?
The total cost for Rainbow Ball Weekend is $60,000.
Last year, we received $13,400 in individual donations, $3,000 in sponsorships, and $6,200 in registration fees.
To help make it accessible for all young people, we only ask for a $75 registration fee and offer full scholarships for those in need.
2025 Rainbow Ball Weekend Sponsors
Also, see our Gala Sponsors! The Rainbow Gala and Dance Party benefited Rainbow Ball Weekend.
Major Sponsors
Sponsors
Boutique
