Volunteer

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 2013 Dates:

Session 1: June 24th - 29th
Session 2: July 15th - 20th
Session 3: July 29 - August 3rd

Camp will be held Monday through Friday at Oakland School for the Arts in downtown Oakland.

Showcases will take place Saturday at The New Parish in downtown Oakland. Doors at 2 pm / Show at 3 pm

We have a variety of musical and non-musical volunteer positions for all of our programs, and we post applications several months in advance. Positions include instrument instructor, band manager, band coach, roadie, workshop leader, kitchen crew, front desk crew, and more.

Our campers reflect the rich diversity of the Bay Area; they come from a wide range of neighborhoods and socio-economic backgrounds, and two-thirds are youth of color.  We strive to create a board, staff and volunteer base that reflects this diversity, and strongly encourage people of color to apply.

Mentorship positions are open to female, trans and gender non-conforming volunteers only; non-mentorship positions are open to people of all gender identities.

Summer Camp

Thinking about volunteering?  Great idea!  If you're new to volunteering with us, please carefully read the descriptions of each position below, and then. . . Click HERE to apply volunteer.

Interested in being an intern this year?  Click HERE for the internship application.  **Internships are open to 15-18 year olds who have attended 2 or more of our programs.

Want to perform at camp?  Click HERE to apply to be a lunchtime performer.

Please note that there is a mandatory training for all volunteers (new & returning) and interns the day before each session begins.

Volunteer Positions:

The following positions are open to female, trans and gender non-conforming volunteers:

Instrument Instructor:  Instrument instructors work with groups of 4-6 girls, conducting two-hour lessons each morning of camp.  We offer bass, drums, guitar, keyboards and vocals.  Groups are organized according to experience level, and often have a wide range of ages and musical interests.  Instructors are responsible for designing a detailed curriculum for the week, to be submitted no later than the Friday before the start of the camp week.  Lessons should aim to give campers skills they can put to use right away in band practice.  Instructors should take into account the different learning styles and needs of the group, as well as the various musical interests of the campers.  The curriculum should be flexible and guided by the interests of the group.  We provide instruments for all campers and instructors. 
Time commitment: Mon: 10:30am-12pm, Tues-Fri: 9:30-11:30am (optional volunteer meeting every day, 5:30-6:30pm). 

Band Manager: Each band is assigned a band manager and a band coach who works with them in band practice and accompanies them to workshops.  Band managers help guide the songwriting process in band practice by helping the group set goals, giving constructive feedback, and mediating conflicts.  No musical experience is required for this position; youth work experience is recommended.  Managers without musical experience will work with a coach who has musical experience.
Time commitment: Mon-Fri: 12:30-5:00pm (optional volunteer meeting every day, 5:30-6:30pm). 

Band Coach: Band coaches are volunteers with experience playing music and setting up equipment.  They are assigned to a band on the first day of camp, and spend the week working with the band, along with the band manager.  Band coaches fulfill the same role as band managers, as well as help the band set up equipment, check levels, and troubleshoot sound problems.  Coaches may work with a manager who has little or no musical experience.
Time commitment: Mon-Fri: 12:30-5:00pm (optional volunteer meeting every day, 5:30-6:30pm). 

Workshop Leader: Each workshop happens 2-4 times per week, depending on the workshop.  Leaders are responsible for designing the curriculum of the workshop, to be submitted no later than the Friday before the start of the camp week.  Some workshops are conducted in groups of 15-20 campers, and others are in groups of 30-40.  Groups are formed according to age, and leaders should make sure their workshops are age-appropriate.  Leaders should also take into account the diversity of backgrounds, experiences and musical interests represented in the group.  If the workshop is music-related, leaders should present a variety of genres, cultures and eras. 
Time commitment: 1.5 hours per workshop (optional volunteer meeting every day, 5:30-6:30pm). 

A&R Crew: A&R crew members are people with a solid background in social work, counseling and/or education who can be available to help out throughout the week with campers in need of extra assistance due to behavioral/emotional issues or learning disabilities.
Time commitment: We aim to have 1-2 crew members at each session of camp who can be available for most or all of the day (optional volunteer meeting every day, 5:30-6:30pm).

The following roles are open to all gender identities:

Front Desk: The front desk person is responsible for answering phone calls, relaying messages, handing out earplugs, selling merch, and performing other tasks as needs. 
Time commitment: shifts vary according to availability.

Roadie: Roadies help move and set up equipment.  There are two roadie shifts per day.  
Time commitment: Roadies may indicate which days and for which shifts they are available.  Shift one starts at 12pm on Monday, 11:30 Tues-Fri.

Kitchen Crew: The kitchen crew helps set up volunteer meals (breakfast, lunch and snack), prepares lunches for campers who’ve signed up to receive lunch, and hands out camper snacks.
Time commitment: shifts vary according to availability. 

Showcase Crew: The showcase crew helps set up and run Saturday's showcase (specific shifts are assigned the day before). 

Lunch Chef: We provide lunch for our 40-50 volunteers each day.  The lunch chef is responsible for preparing a meal and delivering it to camp by 11:15 every day. We provide a stipend for groceries as well as a stipend for labor.  Experience preparing meals for large groups is preferred.

Questions?  Contact Carey or call the BAGRC office at (510) 267-1808.

Women's Rock Camp

Women's Rock Camp runs May 3rd-5th, 2013 at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts.  Join us at the showcase: May 5th at the New Parish.  Doors open at 2pm. 
Check back next year for volunteer opportunities. 

Girls Rock After School Program (GRASP)

GRASP will start up again in Fall 2013.  Volunteer applications will be up in August.