As a new project for female youth, Girls Rock Camp Vancouver is an empowering journey to allow females from ages 8-18 years, to have the opportunity to explore, access and play music with positive mentors, surroundings and workshops. As our society continues to push unattainable body image values, we want to reassure the leaders of tomorrow that there is more than a microphone and size 0 waistline. At Girls Rock Camp Vancouver we want the young ladies to pick up the guitars and rock out.
The first Vancouver Rock Camp For Girls was held from Monday, August 17th through August 21st, 2009, with a final showcase the night of Saturday, August 22nd at the newly renovated historical theatre, The Cultch, in East Vancouver. The camp’s space was graciously donated by the Urban Native Youth Association at 1618 Hastings St.
We are currently organizing and fundraising for a Day Program, which will provide a similar environment and programming for female children and youth during the school year.
If you would like to hear some sounds from this year’s rock camp, you can hear a podcast produced by Rock Camp Volunteer and Organizer Sarah Buchanan, here: Life After Radio.ca
Girls Rock Camp Vancouver is part of the Girls Rock Camp Alliance – an established community of camps that are spread all around North America. GRCV is a registered not-for-profit in British Columbia.
The Girls Rock Camp originated in Portland, Oregon over 8 years ago and is now a well-established camp and organization that has inspired and influenced hundreds of young rocking ladies. The camp itself has now expanded into 3 sessional camps with various program options as well as a showcase performance at the end of camp with more than 700 attendees.
The objective of the 2009 Vancouver camp was to provide space for 25-30 female youth to attend and learn a key instrument, thus enabling them to play within a band setting. The week finished with the ultimate experience of playing a live show in front of an audience of family, friends and screaming fans. The week included performances from experienced female musicians, workshops, and one on one sessions with the youth. Professional support included teachers, nurses and registered councilors was provided in both the planning stages as well as during the camp.
As firm believers in this project and the impact it will have, we are committed to building self-esteem and developing life skills in young women while cultivating a supportive community of peers and mentors.