PRINCETON — In the words of Melissa McKinney, “It’s all about the girl thing!”

That’s the statement the owner of Princeton’s Stages Music School used to describe her first annual Rock Camp for Girls, a weeklong offering designed to “empower girls through music in an environment that fosters self-confidence, creativity and teamwork.”

The camp will take place Aug. 2—6 at Stages.

“I’ve done lots of girl bands here at Stages and at other places I’ve worked. I did some girls’ rock camps when I was living and working in North Carolina, and I was involved with one in Charleston, and it’s just a really awesome thing for girls,” said McKinney, a Princeton native. “Music’s definitely dominated by men; you don’t see nearly as many girls walking around with guitars and drums as boys. In a week’s time, a camp like this just gives these girls so much confidence and inspiration.”

McKinney’s camp will give attendees ages 8—16 the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of music-themed activities. The diverse schedule includes the chance to write and record original songs with a band, perform before a live audience, learn about famous female musicians, take part in team-building exercises and learn about self-defense, among other activities.

“One of the things I’m most excited about is the two-day workshop that we’re going to have with the girls where they’ll get to hear from career women from all different fields,” said McKinney. “They’ll talk to the girls about what they do, and then they’ll tell them about how music is a part of their life. I just want them to be exposed to all different kinds of music, and all kinds of different people.”

That workshop will be highlighted by a visit from an ambassador of the Dove Self Esteem Fund, a national initiative designed to “educate and inspire young people on a wider definition of beauty.” McKinney says that message fits in well with the ultimate purpose behind her camp.

“I just want to give them a positive message through music,” she said. “We’re going to talk a lot about tolerance, because I want them to learn the importance of being tolerant of one another, whether rich or poor, fat or skinny, whatever. I want them to see how when we sit down to play music together, it’s almost like we become one person and we’re not separate anymore.”

But, while that deep and important lesson is the lifeblood of the Rock Camp for Girls, McKinney insists the camp will also provide ample opportunity for young attendees to let their hair down and truly “rock.”

“We’re going to do so many fun things,” she said. “We’re going to paint on the ceiling and just make a lot of noise. Then, on Thursday night, they get to have a sleepover, which will probably be the most fun of all. I hope to encourage them to know that music is fun, even though you have to practice and do a little work at it. Practicing is fun.”

Camp attendees will have the chance to make their own music from the very start of the week, when they will get to choose an instrument and join other camp members in small bands that will work throughout the week to write their own song. Those songs will be performed at a live performance Aug. 6, at the Riff Raff Arts Collective at 6 p.m.

“They’re all going to form bands and write music, and a lot of times what happens is that after we form those bands, other little bands will form outside of that, too,” said McKinney. “And, we’re not just going to be doing rock music; they’ll get to play anything they want, including pop, country, bluegrass, anything. Then, pretty much whatever the bands learn or create throughout the week will be performed at that show, which will be open to the public.”

McKinney will be assisted in leading the camp by her sister, Lori, Princeton musician Kathleen Coffee, and Stages teacher Jordan Stabvec. Twenty participants had already registered as of July 28, but McKinney says girls interested in attending may still sign up until the camp begins. The camp hours will be Monday—Wednesday, 10 a.m.—2 p.m.; Thursday, 6 p.m.—9 a.m.; Friday (sleepover) and Friday evening, 5 p.m.—7 p.m.

“It’s going to be great because it’s like a weeklong intensive lesson instead of just a half-hour lesson in a week,” said McKinney. “I just hope the girls will take away more confidence in themselves, more tolerance for others, and the knowledge that girls really do rock.”

For more information, call Stages at (304) 425-7529 or visit www.stagesmusic school.com.

— Contact CharLy Markwart at cmarkwart@ptonline.net.