Recent grads bring rock to girls

Working at a camp for future rockers might sound like the basis for a movie, but it’s just another day in the life for two young alumnae. Katherine Paul ‘11 and Molly Gray ‘10 started their careers at Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls in Portland as campers – just young girls who wanted to make some noise. Molly attended her first session at age 15 and was hooked. In fact, the entrance essay that landed her a spot at Lewis & Clark was about her experience in the camp. Katherine, a sociology/anthropology major and gender studies minor, also started in high school, and decided to attend Lewis & Clark in part to stick close to the organization.

The camp (insiders call it RnRC4G) is a week-long summer program that puts instruments in the hands of girls ages 8-17, gives them lessons, and has them writing their own songs by the end of the week. Katherine and Molly, who are now the office/program manager and program director/volunteer coordinator respectively, would carpool from campus together to volunteer as instrument instructors, band managers, coaches and more at the camp.

Since graduation, the two have kept close connections to the college and current students, who recently organized “Adventures Close to Home,” a music night in Stamm that benefited the rock camp, and featured local female musicians – including former Lewis & Clark students.

Molly, an international affairs major, credits the college with giving her the skills to help bring public awareness to the organization.

“My thesis presentation helped me to speak confidently in front of 650 people about RnRC4G just the other day at TEDxConcordia,” she said.

For more information on Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls, including ways to volunteer, visit the camp’s homepage.