Rock n Roll Camp for Girls and Friends of Noise Announce...

Rock n Roll Camp for Girls and Friends of Noise Announce New Operating Agreement, All Ages Lineup for Friday May 12

Rock Camp is now a program of Friends of Noise

PORTLAND, OREGON (May 9, 2023) - Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls (“Rock Camp”) and Friends of Noise announced today that Rock Camp has become a program of Friends of Noise. The organizations will celebrate this important milestone at an all ages show produced by Friends of Noise youth on Friday May 12 at JaJa PDX (819 SE Taylor Street) from 6-11pm featuring the bands Mauve, Femme Cell, Mr. Dinkles, As Above, and School Project. Sliding scale tickets are available at www.friendsofnoise.org. Supporters of both organizations are invited to attend. 

The new operating agreement marks a significant transition for “the original Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls,” which was founded in Portland in 2001 and went on to become a worldwide phenomenon with 100+ camps in North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. It also highlights Friends of Noise’s leading role in building a safe and accessible community for Portland creative youth of all genders and orientations, through inclusive, youth-led programming, all ages concerts, and professional development learning opportunities spanning Portland’s cross-genre music scene. 

“After more than twenty years of empowering girls, women, and gender-expansive youth to turn it up, we are excited to pass the baton to Friends of Noise and their innovative, youth-led programming model,” said Rock Camp board president, Charlene Quaresma. “We know that Friends of Noise will continue to provide Portland-area femme youth with the resources and safe spaces needed to be themselves and to make the world a better place through live music.” 

“Friends of Noise values safer spaces that amplify the diverse chorus of voices of our youth in order to build a healthier, more inclusive music ecosystem that will inspire young people for generations,” said Andre Middleton, Founder and Executive Director of Friends of Noise. “Our youth-led community is honored to be entrusted with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls legacy and to write the next chapter of such a storied organization.” 

Under the agreement terms, Rock Camp will donate its assets, including cash on hand, musical instruments and equipment, curriculum, trademarks, and intellectual property to

Friends of Noise and will also make a meaningful donation to My Voice Music, a Portland 501c3 whose youth and young adult programs include MVM Studios, Summer Rock Camps, after school programs, and satellite sites at therapeutic centers, juvenile detention centers, schools, and other youth organizations. Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls will cease operations as an independent 501c3 at close of business on Tuesday May 9. 

Friends of Noise will next look to its community of creative youth aged 14-22 to define new programming concepts and opportunities inspired by Rock Camp, such as live shows and open mics that center femme voices. Former Rock Camp campers, interns, and volunteers who’d like to get involved are encouraged to sign up for Friends of Noise’s mailing list at friendsofnoise.org and to follow their socials @friendsofnoise.

While there are no immediate plans for Friends of Noise to offer traditional summer camps at this time, they are optimistic that organizations like My Voice Music and other Portland nonprofit programs, camps, and music schools might fill this gap for Rock Camp families and youth aged 9-13. Scholarships are available for My Voice Music Summer Rock Camps.

Today’s announcement is the culmination of an 18-month community input and exploratory process facilitated by Rock Camp with support from Lisa Sloan of Page Two Partners which specializes in nonprofit transitions and board advising. 

Rock ‘n Roll Camp for Girls’ memorabilia will be archived at Portland State University, bringing the organization full circle to its origins as a PSU Women’s Studies project more than twenty years ago. Those who are interested in contributing materials to the PSU archive can contact rnrc4garchive@gmail.com.

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For further information please contact:

Friends of Noise: Andre Middleton andre@friendsofnoise.org 971 808 2342

 Rock Camp: Abby Guyer abby@abbyguyer.com 503 267 0969

About Friends of Noise 

Friends of Noise is a non-profit organization built on the values of collectivism and restorative justice. We seek to transform the culture of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth access to the music industry. We foster a healthy ecosystem for all ages to thrive by providing youth-focused programs, teaching industry skills, developing resources, mentorship and professional development. We meet young people where they are by facilitating opportunities for immersion into a safer arts community while uplifting youth voices. 

About Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls 

Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls (Rock Camp) was a 501c3 non-profit organization that empowered girls and trans youth to be their authentic selves by providing them opportunities to learn an instrument, form a band, and perform live for their family and friends in a welcoming and inclusive space. Founded in 2001 as part of a Portland State University student project, the organization announced in May 2023 that it would cease independent operations and become a program of Portland’s Friends of Noise.