I am so so so EXCITED to be photographing the Bay Area Girls Rock Camp! As a way of introduction, and to provide some context, I thought I would offer some background on the camp and my interest in volunteering to document this first year of the camp. There is a lot of detail here, and much provided by the BAGRC site, but I promise, images are coming soon!
The Bay Area Girls Rock Camp is modeled after the Girls Rock Camp in Portland, Oregon, and this is it's first year in the Bay Area. I found out about it through a documentary just released about the Portland camp, called Girls Rock. It's an amazing documentary, and will be released on DVD this Fall - definitely add it to your rental cue. So, after learning more about the camp, I contacted the Bay Area founders to find out if they would like to have their first year documented.
There are so many reasons why this project appealed to me. Not the least of which, is the mission of the camp (from BAGRC site):
"to empower girls through music education, promoting an environment that fosters self-confidence, creativity and teamwork. The BAGRC strives to challenge gender stereotypes, encourage collaboration and tolerance among peers, and provide a comfortable space for people of all backgrounds to express themselves. Through music lessons, workshops, group activities and performance, girls will acquire skills that will help guide them throughout their lives."
As a mother of a 7-year old daughter, the story & mission of the camp really hit home for me.
I've also been singing since I could speak, spent many a summer at "music camp," sang with a group of 14 women all throughout college, and then with a theremin-led lounge band in SF until I was about 7 months pregnant with Izzi. Having children redirected my creative outlets back to photography for many reasons, but my passion for music will always be interwoven into my sense of self.
Needless to say, the storyteller in me loved the idea of helping to document the first year of the camp here in the Bay Area. I was also really drawn to the idea of being the "fly on the wall" for 5 full days, being able to observe quietly, while challenging myself to find ways to tell the story in images.
The camp is in Oakland, at the Julia Morgan School for Girls on the Mills College Campus. The girls are all aged 8-18 (yes! Izzi can't wait to be 8 so that she can attend next summer!), and they are an amazing and diverse group of girls. I have been completely blown away watching them interact and learn and collaborate and transform this week. Observing their courage and strength and shine in the past few days, has been an incredible privelege. I am filled with hope and awe.
A brief synopis of how the camp is structured (from BAGRC site):
"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. Daily lessons are held in small groups of 3-5 students, grouped according to experience.
Workshops address many aspects of being a musician and being a girl. Topics include songwriting, self-defense, image and identity, live sound tech and more.
Campers also get a chance to see live bands perform each day at lunchtime, followed by a Q&A session with the musicians.
On the Saturday following camp, each of the camper bands will perform their original music at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, open to family, friends, and the public.
By the end of camp even the most shy among us will be able to crash, bang, twang and screech with her new skills and with her newfound friends. A staff of female volunteers provide instrument lessons, band coaching, and lead workshops."
A quick note on the volunteers. Well, maybe not so quick. I have so much to say! ;)These women are incredible. I am inspired each day watching them with the girls. They are all volunteering for the week, to manage the bands, teach, coach and lend a hand wherever needed. They are musicians, teachers, advocates and believers in the power of women. And because they were all once young girls as well, they each bring their own unique experiences to the camp. Yet however different in experience, they all approach the girls with the inherent belief that the girls are all "creative, resourceful and whole." Meaning that they are fostering a learning process and experience that allows the girls to find their creativity at their own pace, on their own path and in a way that honors who they are and the choices they make.
Finally, here is a schedule of what a typical camper day looks like (from BAGRC site):
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 (Loud Band Practice)
2:45-3:30 Band Meeting (Quiet Band Practice)
3:30-5 Workshops
5-5:30 Afternoon Assembly
5:30 Camper departure
There is a ton more information on the BAGRC site - so check it out!
I'll start posting some images from each day starting tomorrow. I may not be able to post everyday, as I'm not home until 7pm, then hanging with the family until bedtime. That said, I'll get each of the days and the final showcase at Bottom of the Hill up in chronological order, so you can follow along if you like! :)
In the meantime, here is a quick fave from the first hour of camp, of three girls looking over the camp handbook while waiting for the morning assembly to begin.
