FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ANSWERS APPLICABLE TO BOTH OUR YOUTH AND ADULT CAMPS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Why G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento?
In the short five days (+ a 2-hour weekend showcase) that is an award-winning GRS youth camp, our campers, who represent all backgrounds, can arrive every day feeling free from judgment or scrutiny. Our decision to create a safe, nurturing environment for girls, trans, non-binary, or gender expansive youth promotes creativity, freedom, and empowerment in a world where too many are denied such unconditional and unbiased support.
How is this different than other music camps?
G.I.R.L.S. (Gender Inclusivity through Radical Love and Support) Rock Sacramento is much more than a music education and band performance summer camp. We believe that creativity, positivity, and community are key elements of personal and collective empowerment and positive social change. A portion of the camp may be dedicated to workshops where campers participate in age-appropriate workshops and facilitated discussions about topics affecting their daily lives, such as gender justice, anti-racism, bullying, self defense, media literacy, and body image. We also do the typical fun camp stuff like art projects, yoga, and dance parties too, in addition to daily music instruction and band rehearsals.
If you are offering multiple camps for my child’s age range this summer, can we apply for more than one?
Due to the fact that we often have waiting lists for our summer youth camps, we cannot allow for participants to attend more than one camp per season. This guideline guarantees that we can serve the maximum number of local youth as possible.
Where and when are camps?
G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento hosts our week-long summer youth camps at variable times and in different locations in the greater Sacramento area. Due to the fact that we currently do not occupy a large enough permanent space to accommodate these camps, we must rent other facilities—usually local schools or community centers—which take time and resources to reserve and coordinate. Most often, our camps start at 10 or 11am and end between 2 and 4pm, between late June and early August. Each camp culminates with a one-hour live performance on the Saturday following camp—usually in the late morning or early afternoon.
Liberation Rock Camp (for adults), hosted in the spring and fall, is a much smaller camp and takes place at our HQ in North Sacramento. See more info here.
When is registration?
We cannot announce registration dates until camp locations and/or showcase locations have been secured, but typically begin accepting applications for our summer youth season sometime in the early spring. Please click on “Our Programs” above for more information, and check back often, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our email list for regular updates on camp registration.
Is attendance for all camp days and the Saturday performance mandatory?
YES! Your camper will have spent their time with us collaborating with bandmates on writing and performing an original song (or for our adult camp, learning 2-3 cover songs), so their presence for every step of that process is absolutely necessary. Being in a band is like taking a road trip with your best friends. Everyone needs to be there for the experience to be as rewarding as possible, and all the wheels need to be on the car or else it doesn’t roll!
Are the concerts free?
All camps culminate with a live concert (showcase). Admission to most are free except for our Teen Camp showcase and our Liberation Rock Camp (adult camp) showcase, which are $15-$20 per person for admission. Each Teen Camper will receive 2 complimentary tickets to the final concert. Liberation Rock Camp events are fundraisers for our youth programs. All GRS youth concerts are family-friendly and welcome to all ages as well as the public. Liberation Rock Camp concerts are 21+ only. Please keep in mind that some concert venues offer very limited seating. Standing at a GRS concert for approximately one hour is common practice.
How much is camp tuition? What is included?
Liberation Rock Camp (ages 21+) is $250 per sesson. Mini camp (ages 8-11) is $350 per session. Teen camp (ages 12-17) is $450 per session. Some scholarships are available, and we also offer flexible tuition for all who qualify (email girlsrocksacramento@gmail.com for more information). Each camp includes daily instrument lessons (guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, vocals) and band rehearsal with professional teaching artists, use of an instrument, and all necessary gear such as amps, cables, microphones, etc., daily workshops and lunchtime performances (youth camps only), 2 complimentary finale showcase tickets (Teen Camp only), and a daily lunch for those who need one (youth camps only).
Is tuition tax-deductible?
Tuition is not, but any amount above it is! We welcome any and all monetary donations to G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento to help us fund our future camps and programs. Or, you can designate your donation to help pay the tuition for another potential camper! To make a donation to GRS separate from payment of your camper’s tuition, click HERE.
Do I need to know how to play an instrument?
No! GRS is open to all potential campers who want to play in a band, even if they've never picked up an instrument before! All levels of proficiency, even complete beginners, are welcome. We will teach you, and we will provide the instruments (guitar, bass, drums, or keyboards)! And while we do consider the voice to be an instrument, we no longer offer it as a primary selection option. We encourage all of our campers to choose something wth strings, sticks, or keys as their primary instrument at camp, as vocals can always be added.
Can I play whatever instrument I want?
GRS offers rock-band style instrument options (guitar, bass, drums, keyboard). You may apply for your first and second choice of instrument, and we will do our very best to accommodate one of those, however a certain ratio of instruments is necessary in order to form band groups, so there are no guarantees. And as noted above, we do consider the voice to be an instrument, but due to historically overwhelming interest in vocals only, we encourage all of our campers to choose guitar, bass, drums, or keys as their primary instrument at camp, as vocals can always be added.
When do I find out what instrument I’ll be playing at camp?
You’ll find out during camp orientation, at the same time that you find out who your bandmates and mentors are!
Are camps ADA accessible?
Yes.
I have sensory issues. Will camp be loud?
GRS camp does involve activities such as, but not limited to, a loud environment, self-defense workshops, active group games and movement activities, and the use of loud instruments and electrical equipment.
Do I have to own an instrument?
No! We supply instruments for all campers to use while at camp (but you’re welcome to bring your own guitar or bass if you’d like).
Can I sign up with a friend?
We always encourage our campers to meet and collaborate with new people, but if you have ONE friend signing up for camp too, we can try our best to place you in a band together, but there are no guarantees. We do NOT allow for groups of more than two friends to join GRS together as a band.
Can a boy participate?
G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento welcomes those who identify as female, girls, trans, non-binary, or gender-expansive.
What is your refund policy?
Tuition is fully refundable until two weeks before camp.
Do your campers perform at events?
As we work to empower our participants through music education and do not require our campers to know how to play instruments before attending camp, the majority of our youth are not experienced enough to perform at events. In most cases, they have only written and performed one song at camp and don’t have the capacity to work as professional musicians. However, we do have a “house band” comprised of veteran and alumni campers, as well as a roster of teaching artists who are professional adult musicians, whom we can refer you to if you need to hire someone. Please note that we do not encourage artists to perform for free on behalf of GRS and we do not “represent” them as a talent agency or other comparable entity. We do believe that professional artists deserve to be paid for their services—details of which you may coordinate directly with the artist.