After COVID-19 rocked plans in July 2020, local music mentoring organisation, Girls Rock! Adelaide, have now announced applications are now open for their 2021 summer camp.

Girls Rock! Adelaide is a swiftly growing local youth organisation and, dare we say, movement, which is all about making space for girls, trans, and non-binary young people in the music scene.

One of their key programs is a week-long camp where attendees are encouraged to have a go at music in a safe and encouraging environment. 

Throughout the week attendees learn an instrument, write songs and participate in creative workshops. They listen to inspiring lunchtime concerts from established artists and by the end of the week they experience what it’s like to perform live to an audience.
 
“It is truly the most punk rock thing I have ever seen,” says Girls Rock! Adelaide Co-Director Hannah Fairlamb. “Watching our young campers that have just met, and maybe only just picked up an instrument for the first time, playing songs that they wrote mere days ago live on stage in front of an audience.”
 
Campers build confidence and communication skills as they’re supported to learn their instrument, understand the music industry and find and raise their voices.

Presentation and workshop topics include songwriting, stage confidence, zine making, and screen printing band t-shirts. No prior music experience is necessary and Girls Rock! Adelaide provides the instruments.

Importantly, the whole program is staffed by non-male role models.

Hannah speaks highly of the community surrounding the initiative, many of whom choose to volunteer their time to see the camp come to life.

“Girls Rock! Adelaide has grown to encompass a community of women, trans and non-binary musicians, and volunteers that have huge hearts and masses of energy for our vision,” she says.

This year’s 5-day program will be held at Goodwood Community Centre from January 11 – 16, with a showcase event on Saturday the 16th where campers share songs written during the week.
 
Girls Rock! Adelaide welcome camp applications from anyone aged 10-17 who doesn’t identify as cis male—this includes girls, trans youth of any identity (including trans boys), non-binary youth, and gender diverse youth.
 
Partial and full scholarships are available for applicants, with Girls Rock! Adelaide committed to making the program available to any young people interested in attending.

Due to the success of the organisation’s Pozible campaign earlier in August, this year the team have some funding available to help rural and regional campers with travel and accommodation costs.
 
“We are so excited to be back after postponing our planned follow up in July 2020, and looking forward to seeing familiar faces at camp as well as meeting some new young rockstars!” says Hannah.
 
You can learn more, and apply at www.girlsrockadelaide.org/program
 
Girls Rock! Adelaide is made possible with the support of the Music Development Office, APRA AMCOS, Moshtix and MusicSA.