Camp GLOW

About a year before I came to the country, when I was scouring the internet for volunteer blogs, researching possible countries where I would be sent, I read about a girls’ empowerment summer camp.  I knew then that I wanted to do a camp like that one during my service.

Then, when I came to country, I heard about the Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) initiative – a five-day summer camp that teachers girls how to be leaders.  By the time I had sworn in as a Volunteer, I learned that Camp GLOW 2009 was already full.  I would have to wait a year.

In November, just after Thanksgiving, the coordinators held a meeting for people interested in the camp.  In February, they sent out applications.  I filled one out almost immediately, stating my enthusiasm for this camp.

We had Camp GLOW last week, and it was probably the best project I’ve done here so far.  The week leading up to camp, I was running around trying to get my girls group together, finding a group of eager muchachas to invite, working on projects for the camp, and researching and writing my charlas (I did one on media and gender stereotypes and teen pregnancy).  Then last week, it all came together beautifully.  Not only did we have a core group of awesome Volunteers (only one male Volunteer, who was an excellent example of a male proponent of gender equality), we had a group of sixty motivated, perceptive, respectful young ladies.

We danced.  We laughed.  We asked questions.  We shared very personal stories.  We gave motivational speeches in front of a campfire.  We created art.  We exercised.  We cheered.  We listened.

During the preparation for the camp and the actual camp itself, I realized that I want to incorporate female empowerment into my work.  I was already passionate about feminism.  The camp gave me some purpose.  Why don’t I make it my career? 

We still have a lot of work to do in the field of gender equality.  At least in this country, sexism still flourishes.  I get angry about it, but at least I have an outlet in which I can put that passion toward something positive.  I’m still working on kick-starting my girls group.  Things here are slow going.  But going to camp was really inspirational.  I met some cohesive girls groups and after seeing the Volunteers interact with these bright young women, these future leaders, I felt motivated to start a MOVEMENT in my community.  Sí, se puede.