Rock ’n’ Roll Camp for Girls was founded in 2001 by Portland State University student, Misty McElroy, as her Senior Capstone community service project. In 2003, the organization moved into its own space in Northeast Portland and, in an effort to further fulfill the mission of the organization, launched the Girls Rock Institute, an after-school program that provided opportunities for girls and trans youth to get involved throughout the year. Also, by this time sister camps had sprouted up in New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Sweden. A movement was born that now boasts 100+ camps worldwide.
“Girls Rock! The Movie,” a feature documentary following four girls through their experiences at the 2005 Summer Camp, was released nationally in 2008. That same year, Chronicle Books published “Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls: How to Start a Band, Write Songs, Record an Album, and Rock Out!” based on early versions of the Rockin’ Road Map, our Summer Camp program guide.
Our programming has grown and changed over the years to include Liberation Rock Camp, Hip-Hop Elements, and Rock Camp Studio. We are very proud of our ever-expanding student base and we are honored by the abundant positive press, community pride, and the individual, local business, foundational, and corporate support we have received over the years.
Since 2008, we have hosted our programming in a variety of locations, but are still searching for our forever home. Until we find such a space, we are thinking outside the brick and mortar, and are working to build a traveling after school program called Roaming Rock Camp or RRC. RRC will feature Rosetta, our mobile band practice and performance space, built inside an Itasca Motorhome, which was generously donated by Bill & Patti Linscott, October, 2016.
2021 will be the 20th Anniversary of Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls and the start of this movement to show girls and trans youth they can get loud and take up space, they can use the power of their voice to change the world. Over 20 years, and 100 camps globally, hosting 80 - 300 campers each summer, we’ve empowered an entire generation of young people through the power of music creation and performance, and we are excited for what’s to come in the next 20 years.
Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The full amount of any generous contribution, minus the value of gifts recieved, is tax deductable and greatly appreciated. Tax id# 83-1321280
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