What is it?
Girls Rock Philly is a music-based empowerment nonprofit (501c3) for girls and women. Our signature program is a girls-only week-long day camp, whose first session was held in 2007. We have since expanded to include an annual Ladies Rock Camp and year-round practice sessions and lessons at our headquarters.
Girls Rock Camp FAQ Ladies Rock Camp FAQ Practice Space FAQ
GIRLS ROCK CAMP FAQ
What are the hours of camp?
GRP runs Monday to Friday, from 9am until 5pm or 5:30pm. The camp week will be followed by a matinee showcase on Saturday that will be open to the public, as well as a recording day, where campers spend the day in the studio recording a CD of their original music, on Sunday.
Where is camp located?
Girls Rock Philly takes place at Girard College (2102 S. College Ave.) in Philadelphia. Girard College is a private boarding school for students, grades 1 through 12 & employs year-round campus security that works with Girls Rock Philly’s volunteers to ensure a safe environment for all campers.
What about food?
Campers are encouraged to bring their own lunch, though we will provide a limited amount of food for girls on a free lunch program as well as snacks for everyone in the morning and afternoon.
My camper doesn’t know how to play any instruments yet. Is that okay?
Of course it is! GRP takes girls at ALL levels of instruction, including beginners. One of the major points of GRP is to try something new.
What will the girls do all week?
After morning assembly, the girls go to instrument instruction. After lunch, they visit band practice & write a song together as a band for the showcase. In between practices, they attend various workshops, such as non-traditional instruments, history of women in music, sound & recording & band art, where they will make band t-shirts & buttons to wear (and sell!) at the showcase. Afternoon assemblies may include some special guest performers who play for the campers & take questions.
What instruments will the girls get to learn?
Girls will be asked for their top two instrument choices on their applications & will be assigned one for camp. Choices include guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals, drums or DJ’ing.
What if my camper wants to sing in her band but she’s learning bass?
Girls can take on any roles in their bands that they want. Each band has a volunteer acting band coach to guide them through the songwriting process, but it is up to the girls to choose their roles in their own band.
How are the bands formed?
On the first morning, girls will go through several activities that help them get to know each other, then will make a list of people they want in their band. They then head off to instrument practice & lunch while the camp directors match them up. This means that some bands may have 2 drummers, others may be only 2 drummers – all formations are welcome.
How much does GRP cost?
The standard fee for a GRP camper is $400, though GRP offers financial assistance & full scholarships.
Why hold a girls-only program? Aren’t there enough rock camps/schools for kids in Philadelphia?
Seriously - there are a number of schools & camps dedicated to contemporary music. BUT, GRP has a couple of different angles. The female-only environment is a rare one & one with a lot of benefits for campers & volunteers, including a high comfort level. Second, GRP gives the campers a chance to write their own songs in a band setting, letting them figure out what & how they want to play, how they work best & how to get along with other people cooperatively to achieve a final goal. They are in charge of their creative process from beginning to end & they will have complete ownership (including copyright!) of their songs, instead of just learning rock standards.
LADIES ROCK CAMP FAQ
What is Ladies Rock Camp?
Ladies Rock Camp is a 3-day program for women ages 19 and up who wish they’d had rock camp when they were younger.
When & where is LRC & what are the hours?
Ladies Rock Camp occurs at Freire Charter School in Center City Philadelphia over a holiday weekend — most regularly over President’s Day Weekend in February. We start with an opening brunch/lunch on the first day & run till dinnertime, though bands can take more practice time in the evening as they need/want to.
What instruments do you teach?
Ladies Rock Camp offers instruction in guitar, bass, keyboard, or drums.
I’d love to go to Ladies Rock Camp, but I don’t know how to play any instruments/it’s been years since I played!
Not a problem! We have instructors at all levels & there is no judgement in trying something new. In fact, we encourage it!
Are there scholarships for Ladies Rock Camp?
Since Ladies Rock Camp is a fundraiser for Girls Rock Camp, we tend not to offer scholarships. If you hit us at the right time, we *may* be open to trade/barter in exchange for rock camp.
PRACTICE SPACE FAQ
Where is your practice space located?
We have two practice rooms in a shared artists’ space just off of Frankford Avenue in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia. The official address is 1866 Sepviva St. & is also the home of our administrative office.
Who gets to practice at the GRP practice space & how much is it?
The GRP practice space is open to all past, present & future (already registered) campers & volunteers. Campers can use the practice space for FREE under the watch of a GRP volunteer & GRP volunteers are allowed to use the space for a very low hourly rate.
Do I have to bring my own gear?
If you love your own gear & want to bring it, go ahead! But both rooms are full of GRP-owned gear that you’re welcome to use unless it’s specifically labeled otherwise.
How can I get there/is there parking?Our practice space is conveniently located two blocks from the Berks stop on SEPTA’s Market-Frankford line. There is also on-street free parking right by our entrance.
How can I book time at the GRP practice space?
Easy! Just e-mail our practice space coordinator with the times that work best for you/your band & we’ll let you know what times are available.
Any other questions?
Contact us!
