Camp Alma: Girl’s Empowerment Camp

As a child growing up something that I always really enjoyed and looked forward to were summer camps. Going to camp was always a fun time to stay somewhere new, make new friends, learn new things, and do lots of fun activities. I know a lot of American kids who are privileged to go to some kind of camp and have a blast. For Peruvian kids, going to camp is something that most kids have never heard of. Because of the cost, camp is not something that really happens here in Peru. A Peace Corps tradition for volunteers in Peru is to put on a youth leadership/self-esteem camp once a year for the youth in our communities. This past weekend the PC volunteers in Ancash put on a girl’s empowerment camp in which we each got to bring two girls from our schools. I was fortunate enough to get to bring three girls because there was an extra spot open :)

The theme of this year’s camp was “Super Women” and for three days and two nights we taught the girls how to be strong and powerful women. About thirty girls in total from our different communities came and had an amazing and fun time while learned many valuables things that they will hopefully all take to heart.

A few highlights: We did art projects, brought in a panel of professions to tell the girls about their careers, we taught the girls sexual education and condom use, we tie-dyed pillow cases, played team building games with them, had smores by the campfire at night (which is a total American tradition so it was their first time having smores!), and most importantly we built relationships with them and they formed strong bonds between one another. It was a beautiful weekend and it was amazing to see so many girls get a chance at this kind of experience.

Here are a few photos of highlights from the weekend :)

Arriving to Huaraz after the 4 hour bus ride from our small town.

One of the first things we did at camp was play team building games so that the girls could get to know each other.

I loved seeing them having so much fun together :)

The "trust fall" game.

A art & self-esteem project.

Leading a yoga session :)

We taught the girl's how to correctly use condoms and then we had a race where they had to put the condoms on the bananas! There is a huge lack of sex ed in Peru which is one of the reasons why there is such a high teen pregnancy rate. 

During the scavenger hunt!

Tie-dying pillow cases

Me with my beautiful girls of Huallanca. I brought three girls and my site mate brought two.

First time ever eating smores!

Another art and self esteem project

Our panel of female professions. They talked to the girl's about their career  and field of study.

As always thanks to the beautiful area where we live the views were stunning :)

Handing out certificates for completing camp. My girls rocked and I am so proud of them!

My girls and I with their certificates.

The theme of the camp was "super women" because we taught them how to be strong and powerful women.

When we first arrived to the camp, the girls from my town barley knew each other so they arrived basically as strangers and left as close friends because of all the bonding time they had together during camp :)