She Rock She Rock

What is Girls Rock n Roll Retreat?  
Started in 2007, the Girls Rock n Roll Retreat (GRRR) is an annual day camp (9:00 am-4:30 pm daily) that offers 5 days of music lessons, playing in a band, art classes, and exciting workshops all culminating in two Friday night showcase concerts for girls and gender-expansive youth ages 9-16. Our camp is offered to participants who play or want to learn electric guitar, electric bass, drums, vocals, or keyboards. We accept campers of all levels on each instrument, NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!    

Camp workshops include songwriting, music tech, self-defense, stage presence, band art, and of course instrument and band practice. Our teachers are all professional musicians from right here in the Twin Cities music scene. At the end of five days, our campers will have: formed a band, written original music, created logos and merchandise for their band, improved their instrumental skills and will have performed two concerts for friends and family on Friday evening!

What are the hours of camp?
Camp runs Monday-Thursday from 9:00 am-4:30 pm, and Friday 9:00 am-8:00 pm.

Where is camp held?
Camp will be held at the same facility we held our very first session of camp in 2007, Perpich Center For Arts Education in Golden Valley!

How much does it cost for my camper to attend?
Did you know the full actual cost of your camper to attend Girls Rock n Roll Retreat is over $1,000 per week? That includes qualified music coaches, camp counselors, camp administrators, band equipment, instrument rental, art supplies, building rental fees, media and transportation. To ensure income is not a barrier for all kids who want to jam, She Rock normally pays at least 50% of each camper's actual costs, regardless of family income.

However, like many small nonprofit organizations, She Rock continues to be hard-hit by a downturn in arts funding and donations after the pandemic, and now more than ever we could really use your help to give young rockers access to our unique summer camp experience. If your family is able, we encourage you to step up for your camper and their friends!

• LET'S ROCK! tuition package ($2,000). Includes the actual cost of your camper and 1 additional camper to attend Girls Rock n Roll Retreat for 1 week. The 2nd camper will be selected by She Rock’s Fairness Fund Scholarship Program, based on poverty guidelines. $1,505 can be counted as a tax deductible donation (we will mail you a receipt). 
• I ROCK! tuition package ($1,000). Includes the actual cost of your camper to attend Girls Rock n Roll Retreat for 1 week. $505 can be counted as a tax deductible donation (we will mail you the receipt). 
• ROCK ME! tuition package ($495). Includes the standard cost of your camper to attend Girls Rock n Roll Retreat for 1 week.  As the actual cost is $1,000, this means She Rock will be paying $505 for your camper to attend. 
• Before/After Camp Care (optional, $75). If you need the flexibility to drop your camper off as early as 7:30 am and/or pick them up as late as 5:30 pm.

Are there financial aid/scholarship options? 
Yes, financial aid applications open along with registration on February 2! However, there are limited funds available for scholarship. Priority will be given to folks who demonstrate financial need, first-time applicants, and families who come from marginalized and under-represented backgrounds. Fill out the FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION. Please do not fill out a registration form until you have heard from us that your financial aid form has been approved.

Who can come to camp?
Girls Rock n Roll Retreat is offered to girls and gender-expansive youth ages 9-16, who are comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of girls and women in music. No prior musical experience is necessary and all instruments provided (but of course campers can bring their own guitars and basses if they have one)!

What does a day at camp look like?
We encourage you and your camper to watch the video at the top of this page! You can also check out our Camp Schedule HERE.  Additionally, check out our YOUTUBE CHANNEL for performance videos from previous camps!

Can you accommodate campers with special needs who require one-on-one attention?
We strive to create a fun and inclusive environment for all campers. Our camp counselors are available to provide occasional additional support or breaks from the high-energy atmosphere when needed. However, we are not equipped to provide extensive one-on-one support for campers who may require it.

To ensure the best possible experience for everyone, our camp is most suitable for those who can function in a loud, lively and energetic setting. If your camper has specific needs or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to Jenny (jenny@sherocksherock.com), and we'll do our best to help determine if our camp is the right fit for them.

What if my child doesn’t have access to transportation? 
If campers and families feel comfortable and safe, She Rock encourages biking, walking and public transportation. We do our best to select central locations close to bus lines. We also have a list of all families interested in carpooling that we send out a few weeks prior to camp.

What if my child is a beginner or has never played an instrument before? 
We got you covered! We accept all levels of players — beginners to advanced — and we have plenty of instruments to borrow! There is no musical experience necessary to join GRRR. Teachers will show them the basics of how to play the instrument and help pair them with other campers with similar backgrounds/interests. 

What if my child doesn’t have an instrument?
We provide drums, keyboards, PA systems, microphones, and music stands for the campers to use.  We also have plenty of loaner electric guitars and basses that campers can borrow for the week if they don't own one. We have a form that the camper and guardian must fill out at on Monday morning during check-in.

What should my camper bring?
Make sure to wear comfortable clothes! Remember to bring a water bottle (with camper name labeled on it), notebook/pens/pencils and a bag lunch (there is a refrigerator that we can store lunches in). We will have some snacks, but full meals are not provided except for pizza between showcases on Friday (we try to provide gluten-free and dairy-free pizza options).

What instruments are campers able to learn?
We focus on rock band instruments at camp: Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Keyboards and Vocals. 

Can my camper learn/play an instrument in addition to vocals? 
No. Campers who select vocals will be able to focus on learning just vocals; during all instrument classes and band practice they will be able to develop their skills with singing, vocal confidence, and stage presence. If your vocalist camper is interested in taking instrument lessons outside of GRRR, we encourage them to sign up for music lessons.

Why aren’t there any GRRR sessions in St. Paul? Why do the camp locations keep moving from year to year?
As She Rock does not own a building/space to host GRRR, we depend on community partners that meet all of our building and affordability needs. Click here to see all of our facility needs. So far we have only found a space in the Minneapolis area that is available and meets all our needs. If you have a strong connection to or a leadership role within a community space in St. Paul that would meet our needs, we are always grateful for recommendations and we would love to be back in St Paul next year! Feel free to send us these recommendations along for future consideration and exploration. 

How quickly does the registration fill up before I will be added to the wait list?
Registration is first-come, first-served and tends to fill up VERY quickly. Please consider having your camper sign up for a different instrument if their first choice is no longer available. If all spots are filled, please sign up for the WAIT LIST.

What if my camper only has an acoustic guitar.  Can they play it at camp?
Guitar and bass players MUST use electric instruments (they can be acoustic-electric, but they need to have a pickup so they can be heard over the drums!). We have plenty of electric guitars to loan out. If you need advice or input on purchasing an instrument, we can help with that too. E-mail jenny@sherocksherock.com with further inquiries.

Do guitarists and bassists have to bring their own amps?
No, we provide amps, drum sets, microphones, keyboards, music stands, and PAs for the campers to use.  We also have plenty of guitars and basses to borrow if your camper doesn’t have one of their own!

Can my camper request to be put into a band with a friend who is also signing up?
Our goal at GRRR is to encourage campers to make new friends and promote musical growth. To accomplish this, there is a chance that friends and siblings will be not be in the same band. We strive to put the bands together based on three factors: the camper's experience level, their age and their musical interests. There will still be plenty of time for friends to hang out during workshops, lunchtime, and other activities each day!

If my camper has some conflicts during the week of camp (unpredictable/unmanageable transportation schedule, sports, vacation, etc), can they still attend?
We ask campers to fully commit to being at camp for all camp hours and the entire week (9:00 am-4:30 pm Mon-Thurs and 9:00 am-8:00 pm Friday, which includes the grand finale of the entire week, the 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm Friday showcase concerts). This attendance commitment includes reliable camper transportation and timely parental/guardian drop-off and pick-up. Much like any other team, band members count on each other to be at all their band rehearsals and both the final concerts. If one band member is missing or is late for daily rehearsals, it makes it difficult for the rest of the band to move forward, and we feel that is not fair to their bandmates. If your camper would need to miss any part of camp, we kindly ask that you wait until next year when they can attend the whole time.

Do you offer before and after-camp care?
Yes! For a one-time $75 care fee paid at registration, campers can be dropped off as early as 7:30 am and/or picked up as late as 5:30 pm. There will be a GRRR staff member available to provide care for your child. We do this in an effort to make this camp accessible to all youth who want to attend camp. The $75 fee is waived for low-income campers with approved financial aid applications.

What is GRRR's cell phone/device policy?
In our ongoing effort to create an optimal environment for growth and engagement during GRRR, we strongly encourage limiting cell phone and screen usage. To that end, we kindly ask that you have your camper leave their phone at home from Monday to Thursday, except in cases where it serves a medical purpose, such as managing diabetes with a continuous glucose monitor, etc. While we’re not making this a rigid rule, we firmly believe that promoting a device-free environment contributes to a more meaningful and connected experience for all participants. However, we understand the importance of capturing memories and allowing campers to take photos with their new friends; therefore, we will permit phone usage on Friday. Research consistently demonstrates the benefits of restricting screen time and access to cell phones. Studies show that these measures can significantly improve learning outcomes, social interaction, and mental well-being, including reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD. By promoting a sense of community and connection during camp, we aim to provide an enriching and memorable experience for all attendees. 

Can you accommodate campers with special needs who require one-on-one attention?
At GRRR, we strive to create a fun and inclusive environment for all campers. Our counselors are available to provide occasional additional support or breaks from the loud, high-energy atmosphere when needed. However, we are not equipped to provide extensive one-on-one support for campers who may require it. To ensure the best possible experience for everyone, our camp is most suitable for those who can function in a lively, energetic and cooperative setting. If your camper has specific needs or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to jenny@sherocksherock.com, and we'll do our best to help determine if our camp is the right fit for them.

Are the GRRR staff members background checked?
Yes!  Even though the State of Minnesota does not require background checks for summer camp counselors, all of our staff members undergo a mandatory background check.

Is there a waiver I'll need to sign when registering my camper?
Yes! You can preview it HERE.

If I need to cancel prior to camp, does GRRR offer a refund?
If you need to cancel, you must notify us by June 1st to receive a refund (less a $25.00 deposit). No refunds will be available after June 1st, but if a situation arises where a cancellation needs to be made, the tuition price can be considered a donation to She Rock She Rock and we can write you a tax-deduction receipt.

What does a typical day at GRRR look like? 
Most days we start with a camp assembly to prepare campers for the day. After that, campers will go to small group instrument instruction. During instrument instruction, campers will learn different cover songs and learn how to write and perform their own songs. In the afternoons, there will be music-related workshops and art activities. The rest of the day consists of band rehearsal where campers will be collaboratively writing an original song with their bandmates and the day is finished off with a closing assembly. 

Are there volunteer opportunities for GRRR?
Yes! Email tracy@sherocksherock.com for more info!