We Rock! Camp
What:
Join us for five days of instrument instruction and band practice, and recording followed by a performance at a local venue. Campers MUST attend all seven days to participate in camp!
Camp tuition is $550 and financial aid is available at a sliding scale. Campers are never turned away due to lack of funds.
Need more details? Contact our camp staff at [email protected] or (773) 289-2670.
Who:
We Rock! Camp is for girls, trans (of any identity) & gender-expansive youth, ages 8 – 16
Where:
Both 2026 camp sessions will take place at Suder Montessori Elementary School
When:
Session 1: June 22 – 28, 2026
Session 2: July 20 – 26, 2026
Camp Info
Instrument Instruction
Campers receive one group class per day in their assigned instrument. Instrument classes average a 4:1 student to volunteer instructor ratio. Campers may choose guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, or the DJ track. Instruments are assigned on a first come, first served basis. While we do all we can to assign campers their first choice instrument, we cannot guarantee a camper will play their first or even second choice instruments.
There is NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY to participate in our camp, and we encourage campers to try new instruments. WeR!C will provide campers with an instrument to play, but campers are also welcome to bring their own instruments if they prefer.
Workshops
Each day campers participate in two 60-90 minute workshops. The workshops are intended to focus on topics related to playing and composing music with a band, artistic expression, and exploring media and social justice. Past workshops have included songwriting, performance and stage presence, DIY microphones, media literacy, DIY recording, gender identity and intersectionality, music history, and plenty of arts & crafts (DIY fashion, friendship bracelets, buttons, zines).
Interested in facilitating your own workshop?
Email us at [email protected]
Instrument Availability
Instruments are assigned on a first come, first serve basis. Campers are welcome to bring their own electric bass or guitar, however, but this will not change their instrument assignment. We Rock! Chicago provides campers with all the equipment they need, including guitars, basses, amps, straps, picks, sticks and drum kits.
Band Practice
Each afternoon, campers get to put the skills learned in instrument lessons into action. Throughout the course of the week (and with the assistance of a volunteer band coach) bands work together to create an original song. Bands are formed on the first day of camp by WeR!C staff and spend the remainder of the week teamed up with a volunteer counselor. The counselor supports the band and works on team building activities throughout the week.
Identity Workshops
Each camp session, we lead a workshop that explores what makes up each individual’s identity. The main objective of this workshop is to provide campers with a basic understanding of how the identities we hold relate to and impact one’s experience in the world, especially in terms of oppression, power, societal expectations, and empowerment.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Full tuition for one week of camp is $550. We Rock! Chicago is committed to ensuring our summer camp is accessible to all applicants, regardless of socio-economic background, race, ethnicity, or neighborhood. Camp tuition is based on a sliding scale. We have determined Financial Aid Guidelines based on the US federal poverty guidelines. We ask that those who can afford the full price of tuition do so in order to support our ability to provide tuition assistance to those especially in need and maintain our operations.
We Rock! Chicago also offers before and after care, from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM at no additional cost, and provides snacks for every camper. Lunch can also be provided if arranged in advance – just tell us on your camp application.
Other Programs
After-School Programs
We Rock! Chicago has offered several after-school programs of varying subjects over the years. From introductory courses on an instrument (Guitar Club) to weeks-long collaborations on original music (Bandwagon).
Interested in having WeR!C at your after-school program?
Email us at [email protected]
Adult Programs
We Rock! Chicago has offered camp and weeks-long format programs for individuals 18+ that mirror our youth programs. Participants form bands to write original music, participate in workshops, and perform their original songs. In order to offer these programs, we need more community interest!
Would you want to participate in a WeR!C adult program?
Email us at [email protected]
Youth Action Committee
We Rock! Chicago’s Youth Action Committee provides our past and current campers, ages 14-16, a new and unique opportunity to be involved at the highest level of WeR!C. Our committee members will meet bi-monthly over the next year to work on an action in honor of WeR!C. This could bloom into a workshop series at the next summer camp, a community action related to a social justice cause, a presentation for our community, or a social media campaign. Stay tuned to see what amazing ideas our youth-led committee has in store!
Interested in joining our Youth Action Committee?
Contact our staff at [email protected] or (773) 289-2670.
Program Partnerships
We Rock! Chicago is able to provide a wide variety of programs in schools, community organizations and at fundraisers or events.
- Year-round after-school programs
- Drop-in and weekend workshops
- In-school and after-school workshops and mini-camp programs
- Social Justice and music-based workshops for all ages
Questions? Want to partner with WeR!C?
Contact our camp staff at [email protected] or (773) 289-2670.