6:02 am…
This is the time I’d planned to wake. Instead, I woke at 4:45 and have been up ever since. My head is crazy-full of Rock Camp thoughts! I’ve just finished some yoga stretches and the coffee is brewing. I think I’ll make it…
Much, much later…
So here’s the deal: it’s never what you think it will be.
Yes, it is amazing to connect with other volunteers – the people you sometimes only see once a year. Yes, it’s awesome to see the returning campers – the girls who’ve attended Rock Camp before. Yes – it’s beautiful to meet new campers – the first-timers. All these things are exactly what you expect. No, they’re more than you expect. In a good way. In the best way actually.
It’s everything else that surprises you. How tired you are by noon. How fulfilled you are in the first hour. How mind-blowing the lunch-time entertainment can be. Sia, yo!
The food! (I failed to photograph this today. I’ll try to be better tomorrow.) The bands!
On that note, allow me to share a bit about the band I’m working with. They’ve named themselves “ADHD” and they’re totally rad. There’s a singer, a drummer, a guitarist and two – I said two – bassists. All I can tell you is, ADHD is pretty flippin’ awesome.
But all the bands are awesome. All the campers are awesome. Honestly, being around so much positivity and light is truly uplifting.
And exhausting. Energy is energy. This lovefest is wearing me out. And it’s only the first day, y’all!
But no matter how tired I may be, it’s okay. Wanna know why? Watch this fantastic video from last year’s camp. It features Linda Perry and a couple of our campers. And just so you know, when this all went down at last year’s camp, just about every volunteer had to excuse herself to go have a major cry. That’s just how powerful the moment was. (I just watched the video a moment ago, and I’m fighting tears now. But I’m also smiling like a happy monkey!)
Back to this year’s camp… I’ve promised myself I’ll try to get some good sleep tonight. I need to make sure I’m there for the kids. They deserve it. And they’re super-worth it. Each and every one of them. Hallelujah!
P.S. This year’s campers’ showcase will be held at the El Rey Theatre!
Doors are at 3 p.m. and show is from 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. THE EL REY, yo!!!
This event is all-ages and open to the public.
Tickets are $10. INVITE YOUR FRIENDS! IT’S TOTALLY FUN AND A GREAT CAUSE!
We keep the ticket price low so we can PACK THE HOUSE FOR THE GIRLS and everything earned at the door goes back into funding future programming.
Tickets can be purchased directly from Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls staff/volunteers during camp (week of 7/23-7/27) or at the El Rey Box Office on day of event.
I’d looooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeee to see you there!