What we're all about...
We empower girls and gender expansive youth through music education, creation, performance and community, working to put instruments in their hands to unveil what they already possess in their feet, fingertips, vocal cords, hearts and minds.
We believe...
*Girl is a complicated term and can mean many things. "Girl" doesn't automatically include all aspects of the gender spectrum and that is welcome within our organization. We acknowledge that we do not live in a post-gender world, and maintain the value in creating safe spaces of expression and growth for girls, trans, and gender-nonconforming individuals.
We believe...
- Girls* should be seen and heard.
- Potential is not dictated by gender.
- In providing girls* with a nonjudgmental space where they can be themselves.
- In a girl's right to confidence, self-reliance, and courage.
- Girls* should be encouraged to express themselves with creativity and enthusiasm.
- In the power of women and girls* learning from each other.
- that "rock" is a verb rather than a genre and we support all types of musical interests.
*Girl is a complicated term and can mean many things. "Girl" doesn't automatically include all aspects of the gender spectrum and that is welcome within our organization. We acknowledge that we do not live in a post-gender world, and maintain the value in creating safe spaces of expression and growth for girls, trans, and gender-nonconforming individuals.
HERStory
Girls Rock Denver formed in 2007 and held our first summer camp in 2008 with 25 rockers and a handful of dedicated volunteers. We've grown each year and in the summer of 2019, were able to support 78 rockers with the help of over 100 volunteers.
We are completely funded by our community, and as a donations-based organization, hold many fundraiser events and work with various community partners to support our organization. As a 100% volunteer-operated project, we are always looking for dedicated supporters to help us sustain and grow our efforts.
We are completely funded by our community, and as a donations-based organization, hold many fundraiser events and work with various community partners to support our organization. As a 100% volunteer-operated project, we are always looking for dedicated supporters to help us sustain and grow our efforts.
Diversity, Equity and INclusion
Girls Rock Denver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national and/or ethnic origin, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, or gender identity or expression in the administration of any of our educational programs, admissions policies, scholarships, or other Camp-related policies and programs, including volunteer policies and activities.
Girls Rock Denver welcomes campers who self-identify as girls, trans, gender expansive, or as gender minorities. Girls Rock Denver also welcomes individuals who self-identify as women/girls and gender minorities to apply for leadership volunteer positions at camp. Non-leadership volunteer roles are open to individuals who self-identify as male. For more information, see the job descriptions for volunteer positions.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion do not mean equitable, and working to create equity among our campers and volunteers, at organizational and individual levels. Just as we aim to dismantle (and outright smash the patriarchy), we recognize we have other systemic structures to address. We know we are not, and will not be, perfect, AND we are investing efforts to achieve equity. We strive to face issues of race, gender, queerness and economic oppression with care, respect and a solution-oriented approach. These beliefs are core to what we embody at Girls Rock Denver, and the safe space we provide to our campers and volunteers. We fully expect our privileged volunteers to be doing the hard work of educating themselves and one another, and listen to, amplify and support BIPOC leadership and voices.
We recognize our volunteer base actively participates in intersectional social justice, and at this time you may be prioritizing your attention on the present. We urge you to do so.
Girls Rock Denver welcomes campers who self-identify as girls, trans, gender expansive, or as gender minorities. Girls Rock Denver also welcomes individuals who self-identify as women/girls and gender minorities to apply for leadership volunteer positions at camp. Non-leadership volunteer roles are open to individuals who self-identify as male. For more information, see the job descriptions for volunteer positions.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion do not mean equitable, and working to create equity among our campers and volunteers, at organizational and individual levels. Just as we aim to dismantle (and outright smash the patriarchy), we recognize we have other systemic structures to address. We know we are not, and will not be, perfect, AND we are investing efforts to achieve equity. We strive to face issues of race, gender, queerness and economic oppression with care, respect and a solution-oriented approach. These beliefs are core to what we embody at Girls Rock Denver, and the safe space we provide to our campers and volunteers. We fully expect our privileged volunteers to be doing the hard work of educating themselves and one another, and listen to, amplify and support BIPOC leadership and voices.
We recognize our volunteer base actively participates in intersectional social justice, and at this time you may be prioritizing your attention on the present. We urge you to do so.
Black Lives Matter.
Our country was built through centuries of slavery and oppression, and rather than coming to an end, they have just taken new forms within the systems that we recognize as foundational to our society. It is the work of all humans to collaborate to dismantle all systems of oppression, internally and externally, and to seek intersectionality within our activism.
Although it may seem like our focus is on gender, sexuality, and identity, we are committed to the fight against racism in all its forms.
The opposite of being racist is not abstinence; it instead is active anti-racist action. Girls Rock Denver is a place for conversations about racism, ableism, sexism, ageism, classism, homophobia, and colonialism because we are actively working towards dismantling those systems that bring violence to anyone.
All volunteers can expect to participate in training and conversations on Inclusivity and Anti-Racism. Furthermore, we recognize our privilege and openly acknowledge a need for greater numbers of BIPOC voices and hands on our leadership and volunteer teams.
At Girls Rock Denver, we work to cultivate our campers’ ability to express themselves, to support and shape their communities; we merely amplify them.
We are committed to anti-racist work, to acknowledging where it intersects with our work empowering girls and gender-expansive youth. We are here to acknowledge inequity in all its forms, and to respond with hope, solidarity, and action.
All volunteers can expect to participate in training and conversations on Inclusivity and Anti-Racism. Furthermore, we recognize our privilege and openly acknowledge a need for greater numbers of BIPOC voices and hands on our leadership and volunteer teams.
At Girls Rock Denver, we work to cultivate our campers’ ability to express themselves, to support and shape their communities; we merely amplify them.
We are committed to anti-racist work, to acknowledging where it intersects with our work empowering girls and gender-expansive youth. We are here to acknowledge inequity in all its forms, and to respond with hope, solidarity, and action.
A special note to male allies: Girls Rock Denver is primarily led by and for women, girls, femme-identified, and gender expansive individuals. We value diversity, inclusion, and sensitivity towards all individuals, regardless of gender identity or expression. The organization welcomes the support of male allies, and expects male allies who would like to volunteer to respect the importance of leadership by those whose experiences we are committed to centering in our work.