Many young girls say they are feeling pressure from what mainstream society tells them they have to be and a summer camp program in southern Alberta is looking to address that.
Veena Warriors is a summer camp that has partnered with the YWCA Girlspace, which is focused specifically on girls and how to build their self-confidence.
Jena Murray is the owner of the girls clothing brand, Veena, and the person who came up with the idea for Veena Warriors. She says she hopes the earlier she can help teach young girls about self worth and how to build courage, the better.
“There is a ton of pressure on girls for how they look and how you’re supposed to act and behave and how you’re perceived in society,” Murray says. “I think it’s really important to build that mental strength to combat those societal issues before they grow up.”
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The camp uses art and creativity during sessions that include drawing, painting and crafts and is offered to families free of charge.
“Everybody comes from different socioeconomic backgrounds,” Melissa Gress, a facilitator at Girlspace, says. “A lot of club or sports programs are all really expensive and costly and not everyone can afford those kinds of things.”
Group leaders say they hope the girls leave with a new sense of the world around them and an appreciation for what makes them unique.
The participants say over four shorts days, they’ve learned a lot.
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