From June 27th - August 5th, 2016, the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley will host its Girls' Empowerment Summer Camp. This innovative program encourages girls to seek new experiences, builds self-esteem, explore new ideas, and develop fresh skills. Each year 50 girls ages 10 -17 from across the Pasadena-Foothills region have the chance to build a community amongst themselves by learning from each other, participating in new activities together, and discussing the unique issues they face as girls.
Summer Camp activities include cultural excursions, tours of institutions of higher education, leisure trips, college pathway workshops, empowerment workshops, skills workshops, science and technology workshops, creative arts lessons, and fitness workshops. Past trips have included excursions to Olvera Street, the Los Angeles Zoo, the Museum of California Art, the Norton Simon Museum, the Pasadena Playhouse, the University of La Verne, Cal Poly Pomona, Pasadena City College, CalTech, Huntington Beach, Hansen Dam, and an end of the summer celebration trip to Knott's Berry Farm. The YWCA Pasadena has also partnered with organizations and individuals such as the Huntington Library and Gardens, CalTech, Disney Animation, Wells Fargo Art Center College of Design, Paul Mitchell School, and a variety of fitness and self-defense instructors to create workshops that will inspire and empower the participants.
“We are dedicated to bettering the future of the young women in our community. By showing them the breadth of opportunity and diverse cultures in our world, we hope that we can encourage them to fearlessly pursue whatever their dreams may be,” said Jessica Kubel, Director of the YWCA Pasadena.
Registration fees for the entire 6-week session are $795. The fees may also be paid in two installments of $400, or through weekly payment of $150. The camp runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, June 27th through August 5th . Girls can to attend as few or as many weeks as they are able to, attendance all six weeks is not mandatory. Girls must be between the ages of 10 and 17. Scholarships are available on a first come, first serve basis, based on need. Attendance fees include a t-shirt and snack, however, a bag lunch or lunch from home will be necessary. Registration is available online at www.ywca.org/gesc2016. For more information on the program or scholarship information, please visit http://bit.ly/YWCAGESC16, contact the YWCA by phone at 626.296.8433, or email the YWCA Program Coordinator at jliu@ywca-pasadena.org.
About the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley: The YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley began over 110 years ago to meet the needs of girls and women in Pasadena. Our programs address the mission of the national YWCA organization, “eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.” More information about the YWCA is available at www.ywca-pasadena.org.