Summer camps can be transformative experiences for young women, providing a supportive environment to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and find their voice. According to a study by the American Camp Association, 96% of campers reported that camp helped them make new friends and 92% said camp helped them feel good about themselves.
Here's a look at some awesome girl power summer camps in California.
Go Girls! Camps & Productions - Oakland
Go Girls! offers camps that educate, inspire and activate girls and gender expansive youth to take center stage. Their programs for 1st-9th graders focus on building confidence through the performing arts. Campers participate in theater, music, and dance activities while developing leadership skills. The supportive all-female environment encourages girls to express themselves creatively and step out of their comfort zones.
Amplify Arts Project - Ojai
Amplify Arts Project empowers girls through music education, creative arts, and positive mentorship. Their 2-week sessions for 3rd-8th graders provide hands-on experience with instruments, songwriting, and performance. Beyond music skills, the camp focuses on building self-esteem and fostering a supportive community. Girls leave feeling more confident in their artistic abilities and themselves.
“Amplify harnesses the transformative power of music to empower girls and gender expansive youth by providing a safe and inclusive space where they can explore their creativity, build confidence, and develop leadership skills,” shares Jen Baron, Executive Director of Amplify Arts Project. “Through our programs, we inspire young women + to find their voice, express themselves authentically, and connect with a supportive community that celebrates their unique talents and potential.”
Check out their 2-8 week summer programs with flexible dates, still open for registration.
Rock N' Roll Camp for Girls - Los Angeles
This camp empowers girls and gender expansive youth through music education and performance. Over the course of a week, campers form bands, write original songs, and perform in a showcase. The program emphasizes collaboration, self-expression, and building confidence both on and off stage. Campers leave with new musical skills and a stronger sense of their own voice and power.
Girls Garage - Berkeley
Girls Garage is a nonprofit design and construction school that offers programs in carpentry, welding, architecture, and engineering for girls and gender-expansive youth. Their Builder Bootcamp for 5th-8th graders teaches practical building skills while emphasizing creativity and problem-solving. By providing access to traditionally male-dominated fields, Girls Garage empowers young women to see themselves as capable builders and designers.
Athena Camps - San Jose
Athena Camps focus on building friendship, promoting healthy living, and multiplying goodness. Their programs combine sports, art, and empowerment activities to help girls develop confidence and leadership skills. Through team-building exercises and creative projects, campers learn to support each other and embrace their unique strengths.
Girls in Politics Initiative - San Francisco
The Girls in Politics Initiative offers a unique Daughter & Mother Camp Congress program that introduces girls aged 8-17 to the U.S. political system. Participants run for political office, create campaigns, and learn about the legislative process. This immersive experience empowers young women to understand and engage with politics, fostering leadership skills and civic engagement. The camp provides a supportive environment for mothers and daughters to collaborate, encouraging intergenerational learning and bonding through the political process.
School of Creative & Performing Arts (SOCAPA) - Los Angeles
SOCAPA offers intensive summer programs in acting, film, photography, dance, and music for teens. Their Core and Advanced Acting camps provide aspiring performers with hands-on experience and professional training. These programs help young artists develop their craft, build confidence, and express themselves creatively. SOCAPA's supportive environment encourages students to push their boundaries and discover their artistic potential.
Girls Rock Camp - Bay Area
Bay Area Girls Rock Camp offers a weeklong music immersion experience for young women and gender-expansive youth. The Music Video Week combines classic rock camp activities with a collaborative experimental music video project. Led by local teaching artists, campers learn instrument skills, songwriting, and DIY art-making. This camp empowers participants to express themselves through music, fostering creativity, teamwork, and self-confidence in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Super Girl Power Camp - Fremont
Founded by Lisa Aguirre, Super Girl Power Camp is an all-women empowering gymnastics camp. This transformative program equips girls with tools to overcome obstacles, define their own superpowers, and make a positive impact. Through gymnastics and empowerment activities, campers build physical strength, mental resilience, and leadership skills. The camp aims to shape a future where girls rise to become leaders and changemakers, fostering confidence and self-belief.
Girl Power Science - San Francisco
Girl Power Science focuses on body literacy for girls ages 7-12, empowering them to navigate puberty with confidence. Their STEMenista Camp combines science education with puberty and body awareness. This unique approach helps girls understand their changing bodies while fostering an interest in STEM fields. By addressing both scientific curiosity and personal development, Girl Power Science equips young girls with knowledge and self-assurance to face adolescence. STEMinista Summer Camps are coming up in early August and are open for enrollment.
"Girl Power Science empowers girls to navigate puberty with confidence through our road map to body literacy. Knowledge is powerful, especially knowledge about how our growing bodies and expanding minds work. At our camps, we grow our girl power through fun, hands-on science experiments, team building challenges, and hikes in Glen Canyon Park in San Francisco," shares Konika Ray Wong, M.Ed., Founder of Girl Power Science.
SHIELD Woman's Self-Defense - Playa del Rey & Marina Del Rey
SHIELD Woman's Self-Defense offers summer camps that combine self-defense training with empowerment activities. The program aims to make girls proficient in self-defense skills while boosting confidence and situational awareness. Activities include yoga, meditation, dance, outdoor sports, and empowerment workshops. This comprehensive approach not only teaches practical safety skills but also fosters physical and mental strength, helping girls feel more secure and empowered in their daily lives.