The Girls Are Alright at Delta Girls Rock Camp

Delta Girls Rock Camp makes me wish I was 14 again.

When I went out to Hutchison School this afternoon to hang out with the campers, I was struck by how freaking cool it must be to be a girl forming her very first band.

The environment was amazing – lunch was wrapping up, and the 50 campers were headed to the auditorium for the daily rock’n'roll show (today’s band was made up of camp “band managers” and teachers). While the band played, girls climbed onstage to dance with them.

Delta Girls Rock Camp is a week-long day camp that takes girls ages 10 to 17 and teaches them how to play an instrument, form a band and write songs. This year, there are nine camp bands with names like the Poptarts, Royal Foolz and the 7 PYTs. Each band has an adult “band manager” whose a professional or active musician on hand for guidance.

The campers spend five days taking music lessons, holding band practice and learning the ins and outs of being a rock star from professional musicians (some of this week’s sessions have included DIY band t-shirts, a class on publicity, rock’n'roll photos and sessions on stage presence).

On the first day of camp, the campers group themselves into bands. They spend the week working on their songs with minimal adult involvement. There’s a heavy emphasis on the girls leading the show.  Camp co-director Sheri Bancroft put it this way: “We want everyone to be excited about being in a band.” Her co-director, local musician Kate Crowder added, “We try to promote that sort of lawlessness when it comes to the creative process.”

Nykkoa and Zoe, Delta Girls Rock Camp, Memphis, Tenn.

There’s a real community spirit among the girls. While I was talking to 11 year old Zoe Elliotte and her friend Nykkoa, their bandmates gathered around, giggling and sitting on each others’ laps. Having declared today “Hobo Day’, Zoe was dressed in plaid shorts, a homemade t-shirt, a knit cap, duct taped flip flops and one ripped blue glove. I asked her if it was Hobo Day for everyone, and her response was very rock’n'roll: “No, but it should be.”

Delta Girls Rock Camp ends with the camper band showcase on Saturday. All nine bands will debut their original tunes in front of a live audience. The subject matter and styles of the songs vary. “There’s a lot of tween angst,” camp director Shari said. “And a lot of tween adorableness!,” added Kate.

You can meet Memphis’ coolest up-and-coming rock stars on Saturday night at the Camper Band Showcase. It starts at 6 p.m. at Hutchison’s Weiner Theatre. Cover is $5, and worth every penny.