Student and Camper Information

Apply now for Summer Camp
Online Application Online Financial Aid Application Who: Girls Ages 8-18 (Note: Both sessions are full for 8-11 year olds. We are still enrolling ages 12-18) When: Session 1- June 21-25, Showcase June 26th Session 2- July 12-16, Showcase July 17th Where: Oakland School for the Arts, 530 18th St (in the Fox Theater building) in downtown Oakland. Tuition: $400, partial and full financial aid is available TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS The Oakland School for the Arts is easily accessible by public transit. The 19th St. BART Station is one block away. There are also multiple AC Transit lines that stop within 3 blocks. If you would like an escort for your child from BART or the bus stop, let us know. If you are interested in carpool options, please let us know and we will organize a carpool list. Contact us if you'd like a paper application sent to you. Email carey [at] bayareagirlsrockcamp.org with Summer Camp questions.
A Week at Camp
Campers form bands on the first day of camp, then spend five days learning to play their instrument of choice, and collaborating with their bandmates to write an original song. The instrument choices are bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, vocals and DJ turntables. Daily lessons are held in small groups of 3-5 students, grouped according to experience. Workshops held every afternoon address many aspects of being a musician and being a girl. Topics include songwriting, self-defense, image and identity, screenprtining and more. Each day at lunchtime, campers get to see live bands perform and have a Q&A session with the musicians. On the Saturday following camp, each of the camper bands perform their original music at a popular live venue, open to family, friends, and the public. A staff of female volunteers provide instrument lessons, band coaching, and lead workshops.
A DAY AT CAMP
Sample schedule: 8:45-9 Camper arrival and check-in 9-9:30 Morning Assembly with skits and camp song 9:30-11:30 Instrument Instruction 11:30-12:30 Lunch w/ Live Band and Q&A session 12:30-2:45 Band Practice 2:45-3:30 Band Meeting/Break 3:30-5 Workshops 5-5:30 Afternoon Assembly 5:30 Camper departure
GIRLS ROCK AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
The Winter session of GRASP is running from January 11-March 20th. Come to the Girls Rock After School Program Showcase, Saturday March 20th at the Oakland Metro Operahouse! Bring family, bring friends! Buy will-call tickets online! Email anna [at] bayareagirlsrockcamp.org with GRASP questions. PICKUP and DROP-OFF All students must be signed in and signed out by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult. The entrance to the school is located on 18th St. Drop-off is between 4:15 and 4:30pm. Students need to be picked up by 7:15pm. If you need to make other arrangements, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance. There is no parking lot for the school so be prepared for parking meters. GRASP overview: Girls have the option of learning guitar, bass, drums, vocals, keyboards, or turntables. They meet once a week for 10 weeks for instrument instruction in small groups and then have band practice, where they write original songs with their bandmates. At the end of 10 weeks, all of the bands perform their original songs at a showcase for family, friends and the general public. The staff is made up of enthusiastic female musicians. Full and partial financial aid is available.

Girls speak out about rock camp!
"You can be yourself and no one will judge you." (Student, age 17) "You get in touch with this part of yourself that you don't let shine through when you're constricted by school." (Student, age 12) "I can really play an instrument and I had hardly played before." (Student, age 9) "The volunteers are so supportive and everyone else is so supportive. They are really awesome and cool people." (Student, age 12) "I learned I'm stronger than I thought I was." (Student, age 15)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!
Q: What instruments can I learn? A: You can choose either guitar, bass, keyboards, DJ turntables, drums, vocals. Q: Do I need to have my own instrument? A: No. Feel free to bring your own if you have one, but we will provide everyone with instruments when they get to camp. Q: Do I already need to know how to play an instrument? A: No way! Some campers have never touched their instruments before, others have been playing for years; we have lessons for girls at all different levels. Q: Do I have to play rock music? A: No. You write own songs so you can play any genre of music you want - punk, metal, R&B, country, blues, hip hop, indie, emo. . . you name it! Q: Who teaches instruments and workshops? A: Our all-volunteer staff is made up of female musicians and teachers, most of whom have years of experience playing music, touring with bands, writing songs, and working with youth. Q: Can I come to camp if I don't live in the Bay Area? A: Yes. We will do our best to provide host families who also have a daughter attending camp for out-of-town campers. Q: Who do I contact with other questions? A: Send an email to carey[at]bayareagirlsrockcamp.org.