On Oct. 6, teenage girls throughout Hampton Roads can attend the annual Girls Camp at An Achievable Dream Middle and High school in Newport News.
The Girls Camp is a free one-day event to teach girls ages 13-18 about independence, setting goals and other life skills.
Volunteers will teach workshops that range from body image, self-esteem and healthy vs. unhealthy relationships. The girls will also have a chance to win prizes.
Tina Vick, the vice mayor of Newport News, started the event in 2013 as a preventative measure to educate and empower girls from making bad decisions in regards to finishing school, job training, financial independence and having children at a young age.
“A majority of decisions they make now will determine what will happen later,” Vick said.
This year, the event will have two new workshops about sexting and self-defense titled “Not Me” instead of “me too.”
Vick said there will be “no sugarcoating” during the workshops and hopes to have a police officer present for the sexting portion to help girls understand the ramifications of sending naked pictures of themselves.
In addition to the workshops, participants will also hear from a panel of women to show the girls that it’s possible to have a career without a degree.
Vick, who grew up in public housing in downtown Newport News, wants girls to see the women and say “she made it and she’s from down here, so I can make it too.”
The panel speakers include Teunsha Vick, a real estate agent in Newport News, Nikki Finely, a business professor from Hampton University, and Renita Parker, a computer specialist and founder of the nonprofit Good Seed, Good Ground.
The 2018 5th annual Girls Camp will be at An Achievable Dream Middle and High School, 5720 Marshall Ave., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lunch and snacks will be provided. Registration is required and seating is limited to the first 100 girls.
For information, call 757-751-2933 or email tinalvick@gmail.com.
