Girls Rock Columbia Campers Conclude Fourth Year of Camp with Rock Concert 20 bands comprised of 77 8-17 year olds take the stage Columbia, S.C.
Girls Rock Columbia campers from two sessions will let their confidence shine at a showcase this Saturday at Columbia Museum of Art. The showcase will last from 3pm until 5pm and the doors open at 2pm.
The camp, which concludes its fourth year of camp on Friday, extended its programming to two weeks this year. The first week of programming catered exclusively to teenagers and those teenagers applied what they learned as junior counsellors during the second camp session, for campers 8-12. In addition to learning a traditional rock instrument and writing a song, campers also participate in band coaching, and workshops; Audio Console Mixing, Stage Presence, Herstory of Women in Rock, Body Positivity, Building a Pedalboard, Rock Photography and Zine Making.
“Too often people look at youth as having the potential to be something powerful someday,” said Mollie Williamson, executive director, “but at Girls Rock Columbia we think it’s important to recognize that these kids are change makers today. They are brave, powerful and changing the word right now. It’s really incredible to see them recognize that in themselves over the span of five days. Kids who are too shy to speak into a mic the first day are playing drum solos and screaming out lyrics by the end of camp. Being a part of helping these youth recognize their potential for making positive long lasting changes in the community is something that I feel so proud to be involved with. These are a generation of kids who are going to change the world.”
In its fourth year of operation, Girls Rock Columbia has more than quadrupled in size. Girls Rock Columbia is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a community of girls, trans* and non-binary youth in Columbia and empowering them through music education. The program encourages an environment that cultivates self-confidence, challenges gender stereotypes, promotes positive relationships, creativity, and leadership. The ultimate goal of Girls Rock Columbia is to empower everyone involved; both campers and volunteers, to take the sense of community learned from within the organization and carry that throughout the city they call home.
Admission to the showcase is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12. Children 3 and under are free. Doors open at 2pm. For more information about Girls Rock Columbia, please visit www.girlsrockcolumbia.org or follow on Twitter and Facebook.