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2021 Camp Photos by Jahni Delmonico
Where Our Youth Have a Voice
Queen City Rock Camp (QCRC) is a week-long day camp for girls, transgender, and nonbinary youth ages 9 to 18 in Springfield, Missouri. QCRC provides campers with instrument instruction in bass, drums, guitar, vocals, or keyboard with the help of talented volunteers. Campers also participate in workshops that broaden their musical horizons and learn about some of the boldest trailblazers in rock and roll. Each day local female, transgender, and nonbinary fronted bands play exclusive sets. Most importantly, campers form their own bands, write their own songs, and perform them at a showcase in front of a real live audience at the end of camp.
Every aspect of Queen City Rock Camp gives campers opportunities for self-expression and growth they would not otherwise have, and promotes empowerment through creative experimentation. The things each camper learns during this week stay with them for life… whether or not they ever touch a musical instrument again.
“ QCRC really ROCKS! ... She has been excited every day by what she has learned and done.”
“I didn’t really want to perform in front of people, but I did anyway and it was so much fun. … I’m not as timid in front of people. I can talk to new people more easily than I did before, and I can approach people more easily. ”
Inclusion Statement
Queen City Rock Camp exists in part to address the gender imbalance in the music industry, and in part to promote our campers’ developing self-image, confidence, and sense of community. QCRC provides a safe, accepting, and supportive space where girls, transgender, and nonbinary young people can build themselves and each other up.
At Queen City Rock Camp young campers, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, size, or socioeconomic status, can embrace their differences and work together to build pride in their identity through music and the creative arts.
A Day At Rock Camp
8:30 am - Camper Sign-In
9:00 am - Morning Assembly
9:15 am - Music History: presentations on musical pioneers
9:30 am - Morning Tutorial with topics include positive communication skills, poetry, and self defense
10:00 am - Instrument Instruction in bass, drums, vocals, guitar, and keyboard
11:00 am - Lunch
11:30 am - Guest Performance from local and regional performers like the Shandies, Molly Healey, Slugs, and more
12:30 pm - Do-It-Yourself Workshops like printmaking, recording, and zinemaking
2:00 pm - Afternoon Tutorial in subjects like costume making, media literacy, and self esteem
3:00 pm - Band Practice
5:00 pm - Closing Assembly
5:30 pm - Camper Pickup
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2019 Camp Photos by Shay Rainey