The Long Beach-based Queer Rock Camp SoCal gives LGBTQ youth the chance to be a rock star for five days, but it’s not just about making music — it’s also about empowering teens and having them learn from queer mentors, one of the cofounders said.
This year’s camp, which will take place from June 22 to June 26 at Temple Israel Long Beach, is the group’s inaugural effort. The volunteer deadline is May 15, and the youth-application deadline is May 22.
“It’s about creating a safe place for LGBTQ kids,” said Jenny Caronna, one of the cofounders and board members of the nonprofit camp. “When these kids go to camp, people will use their chosen name, which might not be their birth name, and chosen gender pronouns and they will interact with queer mentors. A lot of these youth don’t see queer mentors in their everyday life.
“It will be a magical land for them,” said Caronna, along with cofounder Annie Parkhurst, modeled the camp after the Girls Rock Camp Alliance, a national nonprofit that combines music education and performance, social justice workshops, role models and collaboration and leadership skill building to address self-esteem.
Attendees at Queer Rock Camp SoCal will learn to play an instrument, form a band, write an original song with their band and attend workshops on such topics as the history of queer music as well as gender and identity.
The camp will culminate in a concert showcase with the new bands performing their songs for family and friends.
The camp will accept 35 members, from 13 to 17 years old, and cost is $325 per person, but sliding-scale tuition is available.
Eric Shatzkin, executive director of Temple Israel Long Beach, said working with Queer Rock Camp SoCal is a natural collaboration.
“The Reform Jewish Movement is very progressive and open and accepting of different communities. We’ve had gay marriages and host a monthly meeting for PFLAG (a support group for parents and friends of LGBT people),” he said.
“Working with LGBT kids in a space where they can feel good about themselves is great,” Shatzkin said.
Individuals interested in volunteering as music teachers or band coaches must be musicians and hopefully LGBT, Caronna said.
“We’re striving to have all mentor roles filled by queer adults, since queer kids don’t often have positive role models in school or at home,” Caronna said.
Other positions don’t require musical knowledge: band managers, roadies, workshop facilitators and administrative assistants.
All volunteers will be fingerprinted and must attend a training session June 20.
“It will be highly valuable for LGBTQ youth to learn from LGBTQ mentors,” said Porter Gilberg, executive director of the Long Beach LGBTQ Center and a board member with Queer Rock Camp SoCal.
“We know from empirical evidence that when they engage with successful role models, LGBTQ youth have better life outcomes, doing better academically and socially,” he said.
For more information on Queer Rock Camp SoCal, visit www.qrcsocal.com.
Contact Phillip Zonkel at 562-714-2098.
