There are a couple of ways for teens to help shape and lead at GR!DC: at camp as a Youth Leader or throughout the year serving on the Youth Advisory Board. Both make sure that GR!DC advocate for and amplify DC youth perspectives and voices.
Our Youth Leadership Initiatives strive to create the most inclusive, safest space possible for all applicants and participants.
As is the case at all Girls Rock! DC programs, we do not tolerate racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, or any other form of discrimination and bigotry. We also strive to create a leadership team that reflects the diversity of our youth and the DC community. We strongly encourage youth of color; youth who are queer, gender non-binary, and/or trans; and any folks who come from traditionally oppressed experiences to apply to be Youth Leaders and Youth Advisors.
Youth Leaders at GR!DC Summer Camp help guide camp programming
Youth Leaders are:
- attending this year’s summer camp;
- 15-18 years old at camp;
- former participants in at least one previous Girls Rock program (this includes Girls Rock! DC Summer Camp, Girls Rock! After School Program, or a Girls Rock program in a different city);
- passionate about creating change in their community!
Youth leaders are campers and still receive instrument instruction, participate in workshops, and form DJ crews or bands. They also plan and lead activities including assemblies and workshops!
Youth Leaders begin meeting in the weeks and months BEFORE camp.
Youth Leadership meeting dates will be chosen to work best for the current group of members. So when applying, be sure to give us as much information as possible about your schedule and availability!
Participants will be selected by the GR!DC leadership team on the basis of eligibility and with an aim to ensure that participant’s viewpoints and experiences are reflective of GR!DC’s camper base as a whole. There will be an opportunity for compensation!
The Youth Leadership Program is a step in creating a permanent, year-round youth decision-making presence at Girls Rock! DC.
Summer camp youth leaders will have the chance to serve on a year-round Youth Advisory Board that will consult with the adult leadership team to make decisions about GR!DC’s future priorities and actions.
If you have questions or would like to apply, please email saman@girlsrockdc.org.
“Youth leadership is empowering because Girls Rock is for girls [and trans and gender nonconforming youth] and is now run by girls [and trans and gender nonconforming youth].”
Girls Rock! DC’s Youth Advisory Board gives young folks a voice in our programming.
At GR!DC we do all we can to make sure youth voices are heard, and for that, they need to be amplified.
The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a group of 5-10 teens that meet to strengthen their communication and leadership skills and make GR!DC more youth-driven. The program aims to give young folks a louder voice in deciding GR!DC’s priorities, direction, and major organizational decisions.
YOUTH ADVISORS ARE:
- 15-18 years old by the first meeting of their cohort;
- former participants in at least one previous Girls Rock program (this includes Girls Rock! DC Summer Camp, Girls Rock! After School Program, or a Girls Rock program in a different city);
- passionate about creating change in their community!
The Youth Advisory Board is a year-round leadership opportunity for GR!DC youth.
It is separate from the at-camp Youth Leadership Program, and youth are welcome to apply to both. YAB members DO NOT have to attend GR!DC Summer Camp (though it’s great if they do)!
This program is the first step in creating a permanent, year-round youth decision-making presence at Girls Rock! DC. It was formed to be a leadership body for GR!DC teens, but the exact scope of its work is defined by its members. First and foremost, the Youth Advisory Board will consult with the adult leaders to make decisions about GR!DC’s future priorities and actions.
If you have questions or want to apply to be a YAB member, email saman@girlsrockdc.org.
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.
