Local branch of international alliance shines in Concourse showcase
by Jennifer Duncan-Rankin
Growing out of weekend workshops in 2009, the weeklong Knoxville Girls Rock Camp has entered its sixth year working with young women, as well as queer, transgender and non-binary youths between the ages of 9 and 17 years. Organized by local nonprofit KnowHow, campers with varying degrees of musical experience form bands on the first day before spending the week learning – among other things – how to play an instrument and writing a song to be performed at a showcase at the conclusion of the week. As with previous iterations, this year’s finale was open to the public, donation-based and took place on Saturday, July 27, at The Concourse.
The product of this time and effort spent never ceases to amaze and inspire, displaying what can be accomplished when young people are given a safe and supportive space in which to learn and create. As coordinator Elizabeth Wright says, “[Girls] Rock Camp is my favorite week of the entire year, a bright light of what is possible when young, marginalized people are given center stage and encouraged to experiment and collaborate, to be loud about their feelings and experiences and to be their true selves with no judgment and total support.”
Each year, coordinators such as Carley Dorsey, CharLee Howard and Steph Gentry attend an annual conference hosted by the Girls Rock Camp Alliance, a global organization, in order to share ideas, discuss challenges and compare curriculums. The experience is not only informative; it helps to energize and inspire the leaders, as well. Though KGRC may appear to be mostly about learning how to make music, coordinators devote time to teach other lessons, too, such as body positivity, self-defense, setting boundaries, healthy communication and other topics which are the focus of workshops throughout the week.
“What we really want our campers to leave camp knowing is that they are important, valuable enough and uniquely awesome,” coordinator Heather Robinson says. “If our campers can love themselves and support each other, they are more able to navigate the world outside of our camp.”
Inclusion is a central theme of KGRC, and through a singular yet devastating tragedy that affected the local chapter, even more youths will be able to participate in the future. What coordinator Susan Bauer Lee described through tears at the finale as a “tremendous loss,” original organizer Kristi Larkin Havens unexpectedly passed away earlier this year. A scholarship has been founded in her honor so that future girls and marginalized youths will have the opportunity to attend the camp, regardless of financial need.
The application period for KGRC usually opens in May of every year for those interested in attending. There also are opportunities to volunteer or donate to this highly valuable and rewarding program. Thankfully, there are plenty of outlets to learn more about this most righteous of groups. Returning campers entering their first year of high school, designated as team leaders, have taken over the Instagram page knoxgirlsrock, and it is so much fun to see the project through their eyes. You also may hit up their Facebook page (Knoxville Girls Rock Camp) for more information and to see videos of some of the downright impressive performances from this year. Or you can visit www.knoxknowhow/girls-rock-camp for even more info about the program.
