Create original music. Rock out together.

Unleash your inner rockstar at Girls Rock! DC’s Summer Camp, a week-long in-person music education program for young folks ages 8 to 18 in the DC area

SUMMER CAMP IS BACK!

We’re holding TWO sessions of Summer Camp this year at the National Public Radio (NPR) Headquarters, 1111 N Cap St NE!

  • July 15-20, 2024
  • August 5-10, 2024

This program is a day camp. Sessions are 8:30am-5:30pm Monday-Friday and 9am-2pm Saturday. Each session is unique! Campers are welcome to attend one or both sessions.

Summer Camp is open to all young folks in DC, Maryland, and Virginia ages 8-18. Girls Rock! DC centers girls, femme-identified folks, trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive youth, with a focus on Black, brown, and Indigenous young people, as well as native Washingtonians in DC.

Summer Camp tuition is $0-580 per session, available on a pay-what-you-can sliding scale.

WHAT YOU’LL DO AT CAMP

  • Get an instrument of your very own to use during camp.
  • Learn to jam on electric guitar, groove on electric bass, kick it on keys, sing like a super-star, or rock out on drums from local DC musicians. 
  • Participate in more than 40 hours of fun activities and lessons.
  • Form a band with your fellow campers and collaboratively write an original song.
  • Hear from DC musicians, organizers, and creatives about how they do what they love and connect art to activism.
  • Spend quality time in workshops and conversation with other rad folks like you.
  • Perform on stage with your new band at a live show for a real audience. 

See the full 2024 Summer Camp schedule here.

HOW TO APPLY

Summer Camp applications are open now until April 1, 2024. Apply early, as camp will fill up quickly. Apply here!

ANSWERS TO ALL YOUR QUESTIONS

When is Summer Camp?

There are TWO sessions of Summer Camp. 

  • Week 1:  July 15-20, 2024, 8:30am-5:30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am-2pm on Saturday
  • Week 2: August 5-10, 2024, 8:30am-5:30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am-2pm on Saturday

See the full schedule for camp week here.

Where is Summer Camp?

Summer Camp is at NPR Headquarters located at 1111 N Cap St NE Washington, DC. The location is in Ward 6 near Union Station and is metro and bus accessible.

How physically accessible is the space?

The building is ADA accessible and has ramps and elevators. All activities will be held on the first floor.

Who can attend Summer Camp?

Summer Camp is open to all young folks ages 8-18 in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas. Girls Rock! DC centers girls, femme-identified folks, trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive youth, with a focus on Black, brown, and Indigenous young people, as well as native Washingtonians in DC.

How much does Summer Camp cost?

Summer Camp tuition is $0-580 per session, available on a pay-what-you-can sliding scale.

What is the registration process?

Use this form to apply to Summer Camp. Applications are open until April 1. Acceptances will be sent out on a rolling basis.

Girls Rock! DC does not accept campers on a first-come first-served basis: instead, we select campers based on a number of factors. We prioritize young people that represent the diversity of the DC metro area, centering girls, femme-identified folks, trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive youth, with a focus on Black, brown, and Indigenous young people, as well as native Washingtonians in DC. We also try to maintain a balance of campers across the age range (8-18), skill level (from no musical experience to advanced), and Ward residency. 

This online application page is for campers and families comfortable completing these forms in English. If you need help completing the application, or require the application in a different language please email us at info@girlsrockdc.org.

What is the Showcase?

The Showcase is the culmination of camp, the grand finale, where campers perform their original songs with their band on stage at a real live DC music venue, such as Black Cat. Friends and family are encouraged to attend and cheer on their campers and listen to their rockin’ song! Tickets to the show can be purchased online or at the door for a sliding scale of $10-20. Girls Rock! DC strives to remove barriers of accessibility, including financial barriers. Ticket sales, merch sales, and all other proceeds from this event go to supporting Girls Rock! DC’s youth programs, so we can encourage the next generation of rock stars!

I’m concerned about my camper’s age. Will they have fun at camp?

We’ve designed our Summer Camp program to be easily navigated and engaging for campers in all age brackets. 

Camp activities are tailored to our three camper age groups: Verse (8-10 years), Bridge (11-13 years), and Chorus (14-18 years). Camper bands are divided by these three groups, so that campers are amongst their peers and receive the support and guidance they need.

Is Girls Rock! DC Summer Camp just for girls?

Nope! Summer Camp is open to all young folks in DC, Maryland, and Virginia ages 8-18. GR!DC programs  center femme-identified folks, trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive youth, with a focus on Black, brown, and Indigenous young people, as well as native Washingtonians in DC. This means that our programming is explicitly feminist and anti-racist and we focus on uplifting Black and brown young folks and people of non-dominant genders.

Will campers learn how to play an instrument?

Yes! Girls Rock! DC will provide an electric guitar, electric bass, keyboard, drum kit, or microphone to use during camp. 

Each day of camp, campers receive tailored small group instruction from a local DC musician. Instrument lessons focus on building technical skills, confidence, and music appreciation.

Although instruments will not be going home with campers after each day, the daily instrument lessons are designed to ensure campers will be fully ready to hit the stage and rock out!

Do campers only learn about rock music?

We are called “rock camp”, but we welcome campers interested in all musical genres! GR!DC reflects the musical diversity present in DC. Campers are encouraged to explore different styles and genres to express themselves through the music they create.

Do campers need to have musical experience?

Nope! We welcome campers of all experience levels, from “not musically inclined” to “sings in the shower” to “composes original rock operas”. The only requirement is a love of music!

What language is Summer Camp held in?

Camp will be held in English. If you would like to request support such as a live Spanish or ASL translator, please contact us at info@girlsrockdc.org by April 1, 2024.

Will there be food at Summer Camp?

Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided to campers each day. Campers are expected to bring their own bagged lunch each day. We’re happy to connect camper families with free and low-cost produce and meal resources if the cost of providing lunches is a barrier. This is a NUT, SHELLFISH and BANANA FREE camp! Please leave those items at home.

How do I get to Summer Camp?

Campers are expected to provide their own transportation to and from Summer Camp. You’ll receive public transportation information in your welcome packet. If the cost of transportation is a barrier, we’re happy to connect camper families with free and low-cost resources.

Is Summer Camp COVID-compliant?

Yes! We’re taking every precaution to make this a safe and healthy camp, not only from COVID, but from any contagious illnesses. The following protocols must be followed by all participants and volunteers. Anyone found not following these rules may be removed from the program.

  • Masks are optional at Summer Camp, and we will foster an environment where all campers and counselors, whether they choose to wear a mask or not, feel respected.
  • If you feel sick, do not come. If you have new symptoms that aren’t related to an existing medical condition (including any of the following: fever over 100.4, intense shivering or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, unusual fatigue, muscle or body aches, unusual headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea), email us at info@girlsrockdc.org to let us know that you will be absent and do not come to the session. 

These guidelines are subject to change. Girls Rock! DC takes into consideration prevailing District and Federal public health guidance.

How can adults get involved?

Volunteer! Summer Camp is driven by local instructors, musicians, and other rad folks like yourself. Adults 19 and older can be volunteers. Visit girlsrockdc.org/volunteer to learn about the available volunteer roles!

I have another question!

Email us at info@girlsrockdc.org and we’ll be happy to find you an answer!

Campers leave with more confidence:

100% of 2022 Summer Campers would recommend camp to their friends. More than 90% said they learned something new and are stronger musicians and more confident performers after camp!

Camp makes an impact:

From a 2022 Summer Camper’s guardian: “[Camper] had such a wonderful time last week at Girls Rock DC! camp. She learned so much from the counselors and campers. I love how this program allowed her to be herself and creative. [Everyone] did such a phenomenal job!”

SUMMER CAMP SPONSORS

We’re grateful to the sponsors of Girls Rock! DC’s 2024 Summer Camps! Our sponsors are helping DC’s youth find their voices, express themselves, and flourish as leaders.

Want to join them and make a difference in your community? Become a sponsor today!

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY: Girls Rock! DC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national and/or ethnic origin, marital status, sexual orientation, body type, physical ability, gender expression, or other individual identities in the administration of any of its educational programs, admissions policies, scholarships, and other Camp-related policies and programs, as well as volunteer policies and activities. All Camp activities will promote and maintain the personal and emotional safety of all campers and staff. We do not tolerate racism, homophobia, sexism, or other discriminatory behavior or expression.