女孩们的摇滚

2019-11-13 16:31:55

Finally tonight-music lessons. Rock and Roll might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about teaching kids positive values. But one summer camp has figured out how to teach girls a little about rock and a lot about themselves. Here is ABC's Nill Carlensky.

9-year-old Anna Lee here is on the way to summer camp. Welcome to the Rock and Roll camp for girls in Portland Oregon where the motto is "we put the 'amp' in camp".

Girls ranging from 8 to 18 spend a week here singing, head banging, playing music. It may be Rock and Roll camp but music is just the tool that helps girls build a more confident view of themselves.

“We are a self-esteem development. Programs we use: music education and mentorship in community, building, networking. Taking away the boy aspect makes girls more relax, because they don't have to constantly compare themselves to like what the guys and boys are doing.”

10-year-old Emilia Burger is back at camp again this year. For her the real life changing moment came, when her father played her a Jimi Hendrix song.

“There can’t be a great many 7-year-old girls, getting their inspiration from Jimi Hendrix.”
“Yeah, before that I was like I wasn't the most girls who liked Britney Spears, Hilary Duff stuff now I was like, because I wanted to be popular and that was like what was popular and so...”
“And then you saw Hendrix.”
“Yeah, and then i wanna forget all that junk.”

11-year-old Cury Linver is a little on the small side for her age. Something that isn't always easy. She says she is shy too.

“There is so much emphasis on girl power and on being yourself and not worrying about what other people think, is that help you?”
“Yes, it has. Tell me that I feel more confident about myself and who I am.”

This is what that shy little girl look like when we pick the honor during a practice.

When the week is over, camp goes out with a bang- a real rock concert as each camper's band performs before an audience of hundreds. Every last one a rock star, and if the organizers get their wish, they are leaving here full of confidence that girls really do rock!