Music on a mission, Girls Rock! Des Moines embraces the creative process

DES MOINES, Iowa — Inclusivity and community took center stage Sunday night at Skateland, thanks to a summer camp giving local youth a voice.

Girls Rock! Des Moines has been providing a safe space for marginalized kids and teens to step into the spotlight for 11 years. Their youth summer camp is just one of many programs they offer allowing campers to learn about music and themselves.

“We’re really about amplifying voices that have been left out of conversations, creating safe spaces for those voices to sound their paths through music and to, you know, learn how to run the show and embrace their artistic ability and creative autonomy,” Girls Rock! Des Moines said Executive Director Rachel Gulick.

The organization teaches cis-girls, non-binary, and trans youth how to rock the stage, record a track, and run the show from the sidelines.

More than 50 campers ages 6 to 18 participated in the two-week camp which consisted of learning how to play instruments, taking vocal lessons, forming a band, and creating a logo. This year was the first where everything off-stage from lights to sound to set up and take down is also done by the kids.

Campers say they’re not only walking away with new musical skills, but they’re gaining confidence and community.

Girls Rock! Des Moines has camps and classes year-round. Their next camp starts next week and it will focus on recording and producing a track.

To learn more or see other upcoming camps visit their website girlsrockdsm.org .

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