Girls Leading Our World

Children's' Resort Campsite

One week ago, I was at a camp resort waiting for approximately four score apprehensive young women coming from all across the country.  Many were leaving their family and friends for the first time and while it seemed safe and exciting when they were with their friends, it was daunting to be among new faces and expressively required to speak only in English!  Each small group of 10 multi-ethnic campers was selected with care from a cross-section of the country and ethnicity and that they were not from the same village, town or city. Led by a stranger with a funny American accent, which they could not always understand, they were taken to their rooms after registration to unpack and get ready for a round of evening activities!

Dawn from the terrace Pelister National Park

Meanwhile, a group of select Macedonian young women (of different ethnicity) and Peace Corps volunteers who had arrived a day and an half earlier to prepare for 7 days of activities from 7 am to 11 pm daily for these young women, quickly assembled on the terrace.  To the amazement of the new campers, we performed a newly learned dance revue, choreographed to the tune of “Vogue”.  Not perfect by any means, it was meant to convey, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” which is the essence and spirit of the camp that seeks to empower young minds.

As a junior coordinator last year, I had the privilege to watch 80 campers bloom and glow with self-confidence and this week reestablished my bond with the campers returning as Counselors in training or Senior Counselors. They were representative of the enduring transformation one week of Camp GLOW had on these young women. 

Throughout the week, watching the metamorphosis of the campers from uncertainty and tentativeness at the beginning to being completely at ease with oneself in the space of week is an amazing, awesome and a rewarding experience!

Wall for kind words envelopes

Listening to the words of coordinators, counselors, instructors, counselors in training and campers at the emotional closing ceremony, which involved sitting in a circle in the dark and speaking only when the person next to you lighted your candle, stirs powerful emotions and makes for a lasting memory.  Though a light rain this year forced us to move from the outside assembly to the darkened dining hall, the spirit of the moment remained unchanged. Listening to each one talk about what a life changing experience this has been for her and acknowledging her own transformation, her fears and feelings openly is the crowning glory my service as a volunteer.