Empowered Girls’ Leadership Camp

*and those who identify as girls

july 14 - 18

8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Ages 9 - 12

Empowered Girls’ Leadership Camp is a transformative space where girls aged 9–12 uncover and celebrate their unique leadership potential. Research shows that as girls enter adolescence, their confidence drops significantly, and they become twice as likely as boys to experience depression. Issues like self-doubt, body dissatisfaction, and insecurity prevent them from taking risks and fully embracing opportunities. Our camp is designed to reverse this trend, providing a supportive and inspiring environment where girls build resilience, self-compassion, and the confidence to lead.

Throughout the week, girls are inspired by remarkable women—police officers, athletes, scientists, politicians, and entrepreneurs—who share their stories and demonstrate what’s possible. Engaging activities such as affirmations, dream boards, hands-on projects, crafts, and sports help girls develop leadership skills while fostering creativity and connection. By the end of camp, they leave with a strong sense of self, lasting friendships, and the belief that they have the power to shape their future.

Because empowered girls will change the world.

ACTIVITIES:

CONFIDENCE BUILDERS. INSPIRATIONAL CRAFTS. GRATITUDE PRACTICES. PARTNER YOGA. DANCE ROUTINE. MOOD BOOSTERS. FITNESS SAMPLER. MEDITATION. VISION BOARDS. DAILY OUTDOOR TIME. EXPERT MOTIVATIONAL & CAREER SPEAKERS. CREATIVE WRITING. DAILY LEARNING MODULES. FINAL PARENT PRESENTATION.

TOPICS:

CONFIDENCE/PRESENCE. LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES FOR YOUNG WOMEN. SELF RESPECT. SELF AWARENESS. REJECTING PEER PRESSURE. SELF CARE. MANAGING STRESS/ANXIETY.

FORMER EXPERTS/SPEAKERS:

ANDREA HORWATH - MAYOR OF HAMILTON; JANET GERONGCO - DANCE COACH; JENNIFER O’CONNELL - MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT/PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY; LAURA DONAHOE - FIRST FEMALE SURGEON TO PERFORM LUNG TRANSPLANT; AMY MCCOLLOGH - ER DOCTOR; MEG RYAN - COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER; CATIE FENN - LAWYER & EMPOWERMENT COACH; HAYLEY KELLETT - IMPROV & PUBLIC SPEAKING COACH; JENN HIGGINBOTTOM - YOGA INSTRUCTOR; SARA CUSHNIE - SCIENTIST; KAYLA SMITH - REAL ESTATE GURU. . . AND SO MANY MORE!

SAFETY:

THERE WILL BE 1 FIRST-AID/CPR CERTIFIED STAFF ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES. ALL STAFF WILL BE FEMALE, 18+, WITH AN UP-TO-DATE CRIMINAL REFERENCE/VULNERABLE SECTOR CHECK.

TESTIMONIALS:

“My daughter Chelsea attended camp the week of July 17th and absolutely loved it! She has a lot of social and situational anxiety and we have been working on her confidence which is why I enrolled her in the camp. I can not say enough positive things about the camp and the affects it had on my daughter. She loved it and looked forward to going everyday. She learned some great techniques to manage her anxieties which she was still referring back to by end of summer. She came out of the camp with a positive attitude and a real appreciation for what it is to be a girl, and to protect herself and be proud of herself. I will definitely be enrolling her next year, if it were available I would send her for the entire summer! Thank you for an incredible camp and experience for my daughter!”

“My 11 year old daughter really loved this camp. She came home every day excited to tell me all about their activities and she especially loved the dancing. She was sad when it was over. Would definitely send her again!”

“My 9yr daughter loved this camp! She enjoyed all of the speakers and activities. She is anxious but felt comfortable the entire time. With a particularly hard morning the day of the performance, one of the counsellors (dance instructor) took her aside and really changed her day around and made her feel confident! She went from teary and nervous to reading her “I am me” poem in front of everyone and being in the front row of the dance. A testament to the wonderful ladies who run and assist with this camp. We will be returning next year.”

“I just wanted to say that whatever Katie did with my daughter Emma over the March Break session has really had a noticeable impact on her confidence. I have sat in her martial arts classes for years, but there is a new sense of assertiveness that I see developing ever since the Empowered Girls camp. She has really stepped up her leadership on the floor and is vocal and strong in a way that she has never been before. She really enjoyed her week and all the friends that she made and I would recommend Empowered Girls to anyone who has a tween daughter.”

“My daughter has been in 2 of these camps and shows a new attitude. It has carried over to her school and she thoroughly enjoyed the program, in fact would join in for more. Thank you to Katie and the volunteers for this program.”