FAQ
- What is the age range for Girls Rock Camp Austin?
Age 10 to 17, at the time of camp
- Where is rock camp happening?
The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, 2206 Prather Lane, Austin, TX 78704. Get directions to the camp.
Girls Rock Camp of Austin and the Ann Richards School share the goal of educating and inspiring young women leaders, albeit through somewhat different vehicles. We are very pleased to be working with them, and to be able to hold camp in their facilities Summer 2008.
Learn more about the Ann Richards School.
- When is rock camp happening?
Session 1: July 7-11, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Showcase on July 12th at noon
Session 2: July 21-25, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Showcase on July 26th at noon
- What level of musician is accepted at rock camp? What if I don't have any experience with music?
Girl musicians of all levels should come to rock camp! We welcome beginners, novices, virtuosos and everything in between.
- What instruments do you teach?
Guitars, drums, bass, keyboards and vocals. We have instructors for all of these instruments. Additionally, the girls will form their own bands and learn to write their own songs. They will perform these songs at a showcase scheduled at the end of their camp session.
- Why a rock camp just for girls?
Representation of girls in the rock-music industry and culture has always been the exception rather than the rule. As much as we'd like to think that all things are equal now, reality shows us that girls and women still have an uphill battle in the world of rock music as well as in many other fields. Female artists still tend to be less respected, less supported and viewed as less skilled in nearly all facets of the music industry.
The strength of Girls Rock Camp is its focus on female empowerment; music is the vehicle for positive messaging. We show young girls that they can write music, play instruments, sing, and perform as well as anyone who puts her mind to it. We're working for a better future for girls who want to rock in whatever endeavor they choose.
Now many women, musicians and otherwise, embrace the idea of a rock-music camp just for girls, while simultaneously bemoaning the absence of such an organization when they were girls. It's strange, then, that with so many women - women under 20, women over 60 - wishing they could have attended a girls-rock camp in their youth, the first camp of that nature was created just seven years ago. As is true with so many aspects of society, without demand there will be no supply.
- Do you teach anything besides rock music at your camp?
Absolutely! The girls who come to Girls Rock Camp Austin are encouraged to explore all types of music that interest them, from country to rap to Latin music and more. Girls Rock Camp Austin is all about teaching girls to creatively express themselves with music, and they are certainly not constricted to only performing rock music.
- How did Girls Rock Camp Austin begin?
Girls Rock Camp Austin is inspired by Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls, which debuted in Portland, Oregon in 2001, as well as the other camps it spawned; Girls Rock Camps have gone international. They have formed throughout the United States and beyond, including California, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, England, and Sweden. Girls Rock Camp Austin seeks to emulate those camps in many ways and at the same time to offer a camp that is distinctly local.
- What if a girl really wants to go to rock camp and can't afford it?
She should still apply! Partial and full scholarships will be offered on a need basis. We encourage everyone who can easily afford tuition to pay it in full. For the rest, we hope to raise enough money with fundraisers and donations, as well as depending on a great deal of volunteer labor, to help everyone who wants to participate in Girls Rock Camp Austin.
- How can I help or support Girls Rock Camp Austin?
The answers are all here on our How to Help page.