The Bay Area Girls Rock Camp (BAGRC) is a nonprofit organization which aims to empower girls through music education, promoting an environment that fosters self-confidence, creativity and teamwork. The BAGRC strives to challenge gender stereotypes, encourage collaboration and tolerance among peers, and provide a comfortable space for people of all backgrounds to express themselves. Through music lessons, workshops, group activities and performance, girls will acquire skills that will help guide them throughout their lives.

This summer, camp will be held July 7-11th at the Julia Morgan School for Girls in Oakland, with the showcase performance on the night of the 12th at a live venue, Bottom if the Hill in San Francisco. Campers form bands on the first day of camp, then spend five days learning to play their instrument of choice, and collaborating with their bandmates to write an original song. Daily lessons are held in small groups of 3-5 students, grouped according to experience. Workshops address many aspects of being a musician and being a girl. Topics include songwriting, self-defense, image and identity, live sound tech and more. Campers also get a chance to see live bands perform each day at lunchtime, followed by a Q&A session with the musicians. On the Saturday following camp, each of the camper bands will perform their original music at a popular live venue, open to family, friends, and the public. By the end of camp even the most shy among us will be able to crash, bang, twang and screech with her new skills and with her newfound friends. A staff of female volunteers provide instrument lessons, band coaching, and lead workshops.

For more information on the camp, see our Camp Basics and FAQ on the Campers page.

In 2000, the Portland Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls opened as the first summer day camp of its kind. Eight years later, the Portland camp is running strong with three summer sessions and a year-round after-school program called the Girls Rock Institute, as well as other programs throughout the year. Their success has led to the formation of camps with a similar vision all over the country including Bay Area Girls Rock Camp, whose founding members have worked at the Portland camp in past years.

BAGRC is a member of the Intersection Incubator, a program of Intersection for the Arts providing fiscal sponsorship, networking and consulting for artists. This program allows us to apply for grants and accept tax-deductible donations while we prepare to become an independent nonprofit organization. Visit www.theinteresection.org for more information.