Girls Rock! DC, the local group that nurtures the musical talent and general awesomeness of young women in the area, announced today that its annual camp for girls will take place August 8-12 at the Mary McLeod Bethune Public Charter School.

The showcase concert that ends every Girls Rock! DC camp will take place August 13.

The camp hosts 60 girls, ages 8-18; those interested must submit applications for the 2011 session by Friday, June 10. Scholarships are available. Full release below.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Girls Rock! DC, a local organization aimed at establishing a supportive, inclusive and creative space for girls to develop their self-confidence and musicality, is hosting their fourth week-long girls' rock camp this August. The camp will run daily from Monday, August 8 through Friday, August 12 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and will be held at the Mary McLeod Bethune Public Charter School in Northeast Washington.

Founded in 2007, Girls Rock! DC is run by an all-volunteer collective of D.C. metro area musicians, teachers, artists and community organizers. The annual camp, for 60 Washington area girls ages 8-18, will focus on teaching the girls how to play bass, electric guitar, drums, keyboards, turntables or vocals (no prior music experience is necessary). Most importantly, the camp aims to give young women a safe place to create music, friendships, and a healthy self-image.

Aside from daily lessons in the instrument of their choosing, the girls will also form bands and DJ crews, coached by volunteer local musicians. Each group will perform an original song or DJ set live on stage at a local venue at the culmination of camp. The Camper Showcase will take place on Saturday, August 13. Past showcases have been well attended by the press and public with over 500 attendees.

Camper applications are available at www.girlsrockdc.org/registration/ and must be received by Friday, June 10 to be considered. Scholarship funds are available for a significant portion of our campers. We are open to all youths who identify as female, regardless of race, class, sexual orientation, ethnicity, size and/or ability. We will not tolerate racism, sexism, homophobia or any other discriminatory behavior. The camp week volunteer information sheet and application is also available online at www.girlsrockdc.org.