Girls Rock camp is a week-long music day camp in Milwaukee for girls and gender-expansive youth (ages 8-16). Campers of all skill levels learn an instrument (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, or vocals), form a band, write a song, and perform their song at an end-of-week showcase for friends, family, and fans.

2024 GIRLS ROCK CAMP DATES:
SESSION I: June 24-28 | Showcase June 30
SESSION II: SOLD OUT July 29 - August 2 | Showcase August 4

WHAT HAPPENS AT GIRLS ROCK CAMP?

During camp, campers receive small-group instruction on instruments, attend workshops, and practice with their bands. Workshops focus on topics such as songwriting, conflict resolution, women in rock, band merchandising/marketing, and others emphasizing leadership and the skills women need to take over the world! Instrument instruction and workshops are taught by a volunteer staff of Milwaukee-area musicians, teachers, artists, crafters, business owners, and community organizers.

Workshops offered during past camps have included songwriting, finding your voice, conflict resolution, poster- and flyer-making, history of women in music, stage design, how to be brave on stage, and many others! Campers are also treated to private performances from some of our favorite local lady rockers, with past performers including REYNA and Scam Likely. Specific workshops to be offered each year are TBA.

INSTRUMENTS

No musical experience is required! Campers do not have to bring their own instrument, although they are welcome to do so. We will provide instruments and equipment during camp. In their registration, campers will be asked to pick two different instruments they would be interested in playing in their band. The choices are bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, or vocals.

We do our best to accommodate all participants with the instrument they would like to play at camp while making sure we have a balance of vocals and instruments in each band.

TIMES & LOCATIONS

Camp is held from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and ends with a showcase that runs from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Sunday (campers may need to arrive as early as 10:00 a.m.). Campers must be able to attend all days of the camp, as well as the showcase performance.

The 2024 camp session will be held at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts’ Helene Zelazo Center, with showcase performance at Turner Hall Ballroom.

EXAMPLE CAMP DAY SCHEDULE:

9:00-9:30: Morning Assembly and Camper Check-In
9:30-10:30: Workshop 1
10:30-12:30: Instrument Instruction
12:30-1:30: Lunch Break
1:30-2:30: Workshop 2
2:30-4:30: Band Practice
4:30-5:00: Band Performance and Q&A Session

CAMP SESSION I

Monday – Friday
June 24-28
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
Helene Zelazo Center
at UW-Milwaukee
2419 E. Kenwood Blvd. 
Milwaukee, WI 53211

CAMP SESSION I - SHOWCASE

Sunday
June 30
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
Turner Hall Ballroom
1034 Vel R. Phillips Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53203

*Campers must be able to attend all days of the camp, as well as the Sunday Showcase.

CAMP SESSION II

Monday – Friday
July 29 - August 2
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
Helene Zelazo Center
at UW-Milwaukee
2419 E. Kenwood Blvd. 
Milwaukee, WI 53211

CAMP SESSION II - SHOWCASE

Sunday
August 4
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
Turner Hall Ballroom
1034 Vel R. Phillips Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53203