Summer Camp

Our summer camp is a week-long program for girls ages 8-18.  Campers attend instrument lessons, form a band, collaboratively write an original song, participate in daily music and empowerment-related workshops, and perform with their band at a live showcase at the end of the week.

Summer 2012 Dates:

Session 1: June 25th - 30th
Session 2: July 16th - 21st
Session 3: July 30th - August 4th

Camp will be held at Oakland School for the Arts in downtown Oakland, CA.

Applications are online! If you are applying for financial aid, please fill out both the Summer Camp Application and Financial Aid Application.
Summer Camp Application | Financial Aid Application

Camp activities:

  • Instrument instruction: Campers sign up to learn bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, or vocals, and attend daily two-hour lessons in groups of 3-5 students.  No musical experience is required and campers are grouped by experience level. We provide instruments for everyone (but campers are welcome to bring their own guitar or bass).
     
  • Band practice: Campers form bands with their peers on the first day of camp, and work together to collaboratively write an original song. Each band works with a female mentor (their "band manager") who provides guidance, encouragement and technical support throughout the songwriting process.
     
  • Workshops: Campers attend a different workshop each day, all geared toward self-expression and building confidence, while challenging gender stereotypes and addressing discrimination. Workshops include Music Herstory, Zine & Comic Making, Screenprinting, Image & Identity, Healthy Relationships, Video-making, Songwriting, How to Book a Show, Breakdancing, Self-Defense, Alternative Instruments and more. We are planning to offer an alternative track of new workshops for campers who have previously attended 2 or more of our programs.
     
  • Lunchtime Performances: Each day at lunch we invite a band or performer to play for the campers and talk afterward about their experience as musicians. In order to expose campers to new types of music and different performance styles, we invite musicians from a variety genres.
     
  • Showcase: On Saturday afternoon, each band performs its original song at a live showcase, attended by 300-400 friends, family and adoring fans.

Sample Schedule:

8:00-9:00am: Camper Arrival & Check-in
9:00-9:30: Morning Assembly
9:30-11:30: Instrument Instruction
11:30-12:30: Lunch & Live Performance
12:30-2:30: Loud Band Practice
2:30-3:00: Quiet Band Practice & Snack
3:00-4:30: Workshop
4:30-5:00: Afternoon Assembly/Presentation
 

Tuition:

Full tuition for a session of camp is $400. We offer full and partial financial aid upon request, and no one is turned away for lack of funds.

How to apply:

1. Fill out the online application or contact us to apply by phone. You'll hear back from us within two weeks of submitting your application.

2. Send us your Express Yourself piece: The Express Yourself piece can be any creative piece you'd like to share with us - a story, drawing, painting, song, video, collage, etc. The purpose of the piece is to get to know our prospective campers and find out why they're excited to come to camp. Paper pieces should be no more than 8.5"x11" and mailed to us; digital piece emailed natalie[at]bayareagirlsrockcamp[dot]org.

3. After receiving confirmation that your application went through and your spot is reserved, submit your tuition payment via check or Paypal.

Interested in volunteering at summer camp? Find out more on our volunteer page.