One thing about me...I'm going to take a selfie. I just think it captures the moment better than a regular group photo! And I'm a millennial, sue me! But this is one of my favorites ever, and what a moment it was.
This picture was taken on Day 5 of week 1 of Girls Rock! Phoenix Rock Camp last year with the band I managed, Organ Thief. At this point, these teenagers learned an instrument, co-created a band logo and name, wrote a whole song, memorized it (mostly), recorded this song in a few takes, screenprinted their logo onto tshirts, AND they went to 4 workshops and saw 4 local bands play in between all of this. In a week, they'd perform on stage at Walter Studios.
But in a layer behind all of that, this was the first time as an organization that we had taken on planning two weeks of camp instead of one, and it was our first camp since COVID made us pivot and pivot and pivot.
We had a new camp venue, a new showcase venue, new volunteers and board members, a new (first) paid position, new ways of doing things, and brand new challenges.
We were just as exhausted, in awe, and immersed in the process as these teenagers were. Actually - maybe a lot more exhausted since they have their youth to fuel them and they don't have to pay rent...
It is by sheer will that the organization even stayed afloat during COVID, frankly. As a working board and as a volunteer force, we couldn't let go of what we have collectively created since 2015. One year from now, we'll be a 10 year-old organization. This year, I'll have been (very) involved for 8 years. All of this is mind-blowing. A lot of my adult life I've spent with the fine folks in this community, which is ever in flux. No doubt it's shaped a lot of my adult Self.
This year, we're a little more primed for the exhaustion that June will bring. We remember well what it takes to get through two weeks of Rock Camp. We have brand new instruments thanks to Roland Global / Boss Global. We're adding more board members, recruiting more volunteers, and trying to increase that camper number based on volunteers.
So all that to say...please tell your network, if they love music and/or art and/or kids and/or helping people live life authentically, they belong at Girls Rock! Phoenix Rock Camp this summer. Head to https://lnkd.in/gJXFaNiq for more information, and hit that "Get Involved" button to GET INVOLVED!!!! 🤘
✨ THIS COULD BE YOU! ✨
#nationalvolunteermonth
Our two weeks of camp are officially FULL for June 2024! 🤩
We've got campers from all over the valley ready to #riseupandrockout 🤘
They'll learn an instrument, form a band, write a song, AND perform it on stage within five days. They'll also screen print band tees, learn lots from one of our many workshop facilitators, and make so many new friends and memories that will last a lifetime
✨ YOU COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE in those waitlisted campers' fate! ✨
More volunteers = more campers. 💡
It's simple math! Whether you've volunteered before or are brand new to
#GRPHX, head to girlsrockphoenix.org to learn more, and sign up today.
We'll be sharing more in-depth about the roles here, too, so stay tuned this week and DM us with any questions!
Volunteers must be 18 or older.
#volunteer #volunteerphx #musicphx #phxmusicians #azmusicians #musicians #phxcommunity #volunteeraz #girlsrockphx