Here in St. Petersburg, “Girls Rock” isn’t just a slogan. For those in the know, this summer camp provides a transformative experience focused on self-care, fearless expression and building community.
“Girls Rock St. Pete empowers girls to take up space, use their voices and to see each other as allies instead of competition,” says Executive Director Jesse Miller. “We serve girls and gender-expansive youth ages 8-17, regardless of their ability to pay or play an instrument.
Girls Rock St. Pete’s founder Rachael Sibilia was touring with her punk band when she learned about a Girls Rock camp in another city. She came home excited to bridge her passion for music and social justice and founded the camp in 2015.
After a career in foster care, Miller wanted a new opportunity to build confidence and self-worth for the girls who fell through the cracks. “We owe it to our girls to provide the tools to live confidently and bravely in a world that still condones gender inequity.”
Studies have shown that a collapse in the self-confidence of girls begins at puberty and often remains throughout adulthood. This can adversely impact a woman’s long-term personal and professional success as well as her mental health. Negative self-talk, body dysmorphia, depression, judgment, and anxiety can strip away self-confidence and create unhealthy lifestyle habits. “We are taught from a young age that our value is based on our appearance,” Sibilia says. “At Girls Rock we build self-worth through resilience and collective care.”
Volunteers Make it Happen
“Our volunteer base is a passionate crew of people with a huge range of expertise. Without them, camp just wouldn’t happen,” Sibilia says. “At the end of the week we always hear, ‘This is the camp I needed when I was young.’
”Personnel from camp nurse to guitar teachers are needed, and many roles don’t require musical skills. The “Vibe Tribe” runs daily activities like the morning scream circle, social justice workshops, and afternoon yoga. Men are welcome to volunteer in supportive roles as part of the “Dude Crew.”
This year the camp runs from July 18-22. The public is invited to the final concert from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 23, at Jannus Live, an event featuring professional opening acts, a silent auction and interactive stations for all ages.
Changing Lives
On the first day of camp, kids are assigned a musical instrument and form bands. They have just five days to learn the basics and write an original song together. On the sixth and final day of camp, they perform their original songs live on stage before more than 1,000 people. “Everyone is learning an instrument and being vulnerable,” Miller says. The space we create is intentional ,and once they realize it’s safe to make mistakes, they begin to explore. They have so much fun creating, they don’t realize they are learning life skills and building confidence.”
Sibilia and Miller hope to grow the program by adding afterschool classes and an instrument lending library. A new concert series is scheduled to launch this fall. Girls Rock is funded by donations and offers sponsorship levels with creative benefits like backstage tours and introducing bands on stage.
Parents rave about the changes they see in their daughters after attending Girls Rock camp. One mother commented: “She made new friends, has strong female role models and is so inspired. We can’t wait for next year!”
One happy camper reports: “Whenever I get down on myself, I remember what I did at rock camp and I feel more brave.”
For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, please visit GirlsRockStpete.org, email [email protected] or call (813) 476-2103.
