 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 ONE-DAY WINTER CAMP Olympia, WA 
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Connection and Safety I had the privilege to serve the girls at one of the summer camps. When I arrived, I was immediately moved by their sense of connection and safety in the container of this powerful circle that had been created by Kristen, the girls, and many volunteers and guest speakers. My intention was to support their heart connection. I was astounded to witness the magnitude of their capacity, amplified by the safety and flexibility of this circle.  Self Love I first invited them to experience self-love by saying "I Love You," to themselves. Then I asked them to find a body area (physical, mental or emotional) that could use more love, perhaps it was hurting, perhaps it was a part that just wanted more attention, that was sad, wherever they were drawn. I invited them to place their hands there and with their loving attention continue to repeat "I Love You," to this area. Well, can you guess what happened? The girls sat up after a few minutes and to their delight and surprise, the majority experienced a change of the areas in a way that felt supportive, or overall, they spoke to feeling altered in a life-affirming direction by giving themselves this love. And they all got it! We continued with a circle practice where one person was the focus of the group. This opportunity allowed them to experience how when they offer love to themselves and simultaneously focused on another, the benefits of their love overflows and becomes a blessing for that person as well. 
The girls were so vulnerable as they spoke about the loss of grandparents, pets, places that were hurting and were able to see the connection to a place on their body and experience that shift in the presence of this group field of love. Some girls also shared that even when they weren’t the focus of the group, things shifted in them as well as, similar situations that they had endured arose and they felt them soften too, simply by being in this field of love. The part that brings me to tears is that a week or two after, one of the mama’s of the girls shared with me that her daughter had gotten hurt and was really upset, and by the time the mama got to her, she was much calmer, and the little girl had her hands on the area and was loving the part that was hurt. She had calmed down and the pain was much better. 
What kind of a world do we walk in when humanity knows how to offer this self-soothing to themselves, and unquestionably know and embody the power of their own love? How do we relate to each other when we are all self-empowered to meet the parts of us that are hurting with love rather than perceive ourselves as broken, project blame or give our power away to another to fix us or make us whole? This is the world that Kristen Rubis and Empowerment 4 Girls is helping to create. And I am deeply honored to be a part of it. Learn More About Summer Camps
 AUGUST 20-24, 2018 SUMMER CAMP Olympia, WA A Huge Success at Our New Future LocationNEW LOCATION Our August Week-Long Empowerment Camp was the first at our new future location, The Coach House—next to the Historical Lord Mansion. The Coach House comes with breath-taking beauty and grounds, where the girls enjoyed playing outside when we could—due to smoke from the summer forest fires. We also enjoyed a priceless walk through the Native Plant Garden Trail with a local herbalist helping identify plants along the way. 20 girls attended camp in August and we were grateful to be able to provide 8 scholarships through our generous community donations. CAMP HIGHLIGHTS One of the highlights of our August camp was on Friday, the last day. Sofie's Scoops, our local gelato shop, came and offered a Gelato Party in the Garden! FUN, FUN, FUN—the girls were so happy and grateful. Our Board Members also made food for the camp, and I'm happy to report that by the end of the week, we filled our 5 gallon bucket 3 times with compost! VOLUNTEERS A shout out to our 16 volunteers! Our August camp was effortless because of all of the support from local womxn in our community, teen support, as well as our board members. Monday, August 20 |
 | 1:30 — 2:45 pm Guest Speaker, Cecily Schmidt The girls will have the opportunity to discuss and reflect on the qualities that make them each unique. They will be guided through a short yoga practice and then write poems that express these unique characteristics that make them who they are. We will close by sharing parts or all of our poems with each other. |
Tuesday, August 21
SELF IMAGE
 | 10:30 am — 11:30 am Guest Yoga Instructor, Aly Long “Seeing Ourselves Through the Eyes of Love” — We will practice asana, breath and meditation to focus on how we see ourselves. The practice will focus on loving ourselves right where we are in this moment and in every moment. Practice will include some partner and group poses. |
 | 1:30 — 2:45 pm Guest Speaker, Elizabeth Swanson “Body Image” — From my experience and as the mother of two girls, body image is an important topic to me. It’s impact on girls’ identity and confidence can’t be underestimated. I will talk about body image and the relationship we have with how our bodies look and how we feel others perceive us. We’ll also make an art project using self pictures and strong words of identity and confidence. |
Wednesday, August 22
SELF RESPONSIBILITY
 | 1:30 — 2:45 pm Guest Speaker, Emily McMason “Living in a Social Media World” — It can be a great way to connect. It can also disconnect us from what’s important. We’ll talk about some cool research—the bathing suit test and the kitchen table test. We’ll look at some not-so-little laws—how old do you actually have to be to have a Snapchat account? We’ll dive into brain-behavior—what happens inside your head when your device buzzes at you? And talk about how to decide what to share on social media and with whom. |
Thursday, August 23
SELF EMPOWERMENT
 | 10:30 — 11:30 am Guest Yoga Teacher, Kelli Mae Willis “Powerful Partnership” — We find our strength when we lift each other up. We will use the principles of partner yoga, circus, and acrobatics to embody the power of community. Participants will learn to find body shapes strong enough to hold the weight of a partner, while developing trust and courage to allow themselves to be supported. We will go upside down, laugh a lot, and hopefully everyone will experience something brand new! |
 | 1:30 — 2:45 pm Guest Speaker, Kimberly Mueller “The Power of Being a Female Engineer” — Sometimes it isn’t easy to feel like yourself when you are surrounded by people who seem different. I will talk about being a female engineer in a male dominated field. I will share a bit about what engineers do and will then focus on why staying true to yourself creates more fulfilling experiences at work. We will also do a fun engineering type activity. |
Friday, August 24
SELF CARE
 | 1:15 — 2:30 pm Guest Speaker, Jennifer Johnson “Get Out of My Hair, Toxins in Personal Care” — Teens are a primary target for sale of personal care products – yet some ingredients used to make cosmetics, lotion, deodorant, shampoo, and hair dye have been linked to cancer and may cause reproductive and environmental harm. We will discuss toxins in personal care products and alternatives teens can choose to protect themselves. We’ll learn about health concerns, how to read labels, helpful websites, and safer alternatives. The girls will make an all-natural lip balm to take home, to remind them they can keep looking and smelling good without toxic products! |
JULY 9-13, 2018 SUMMER CAMP
Olympia, WA
Olympia, WA
July Summer Camp at The Abigail Stuart House
NEW LOCATION
We were pleased to host our July Camp at a new location, The Abigail Stuart House. We loved having our own space and we particularly loved having lunch on the big, beautiful porch. 16 girls joined us for camp. Through our generous community donations, we were grateful to be able to provide scholarships to 3 of the girls.
CAMP HIGHLIGHTS
One of the camp highlights was walking through the lovely flower gardens at Fertile Ground, a guesthouse in downtown Olympia, after our lunch. Our board members made food for our lunches and we received lots of compliments from the girls.
VOLUNTEERS
A shout out to our 9 volunteers! Our July camp was effortless because of all of the support from local womxn in our community, teen support, as well as our board members.
We were pleased to host our July Camp at a new location, The Abigail Stuart House. We loved having our own space and we particularly loved having lunch on the big, beautiful porch. 16 girls joined us for camp. Through our generous community donations, we were grateful to be able to provide scholarships to 3 of the girls.
CAMP HIGHLIGHTS
One of the camp highlights was walking through the lovely flower gardens at Fertile Ground, a guesthouse in downtown Olympia, after our lunch. Our board members made food for our lunches and we received lots of compliments from the girls.
VOLUNTEERS
A shout out to our 9 volunteers! Our July camp was effortless because of all of the support from local womxn in our community, teen support, as well as our board members.
 I've never eaten this good before—thanks for such healthy food! — Camp Participants |
Monday, July 9
SELF EMPOWERMENT
 | 1:30 — 2:45 pm Guest Speaker, Sarah Meyer Building a growth mindset helps us build our own awareness about what brings us joy. In our time together we will explore 6 big questions that will help us create a practice of gratitude and growth. We will play a couple games, create a gratitude journal and develop our “I am” statements. |
Tuesday, July 10
SELF DISCIPLINE
 | 11:00 am — 12:00 pm Guest Yoga Instructor, Rebekah Brems Connection to breath with Sun Salutations. Focusing on Heart strengthening and opening with asanas and mudras. Writing exercise to bring awareness to one thing you love about yourself. However, you move body and mind either with yoga, dance, walking, writing, reading, etc., it creates space. |
 | 1:30 — 2:45 pm Guest Speaker, Avishan Saberian “Quiet Standing”—Explore how still and quiet you can be while being curious to learn about how your body can exercise by itself if you allow your mind to settle. Learn the basics of Tai chi and increase your body awareness and inward and outward senses. |
Wednesday, July 11
SELF RESPONSIBILITY
 | 1:30 — 2:45 pm Guest Speaker, Emily McMason “Living in a Social Media World”—It can be a great way to connect. It can also disconnect us from what’s important. We’ll talk about some cool research—the bathing suit test and the kitchen table test. We’ll look at some not-so-little laws—how old do you actually have to be to have a Snapchat account? We’ll dive into brain-behavior—what happens inside your head when your device buzzes at you? And talk about how to decide what to share on social media and with whom. |
Thursday, July 12
SELF LOVE
 | 10:30 — 11:30 am Guest Teacher, Emily Johnson We’ll move our bodies and celebrate what makes us unique from one to another. All movement is good, regardless of what it looks like. Yoga is more about how our bodies and minds feel! |
 | 1:30 — 2:45 pm Guest Speaker, Jessica Rose “A Journey of the Heart “ Jessica will guide the girls on a journey into their hearts with her sacred drum, to support heart coherence and connecting to their inner wisdom. |
Friday, July 13
SELF CARE
 | 1:30 — 2:30 pm Guest Speaker, Kirstin Eventyr “Making and using flower essence sprays” Learn how to use flower essence and essential oils sprays to support you in your life by helping you feel more confident, have better boundaries and let go of what doesn’t serve you. You will also get to make one of our own sprays. |
AUGUST 21—25, 2017
Olympia, WA
Olympia, WA
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I was so impressed with the changes I witnessed in the girls over the week. It was transformational.
—Sandy Cavin, Board Treasurer |
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August Summer Camp
Thanks to our supporters, our August Summer Camp was a big success for 13 girls.
Monday, August 21
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1:45-2:45/3 pm Guest Speaker: Cecily Schmidt
We learned a simple way to bind our own journals and decorate them. After exploring some expressive movement, we began to connect the sensations in our bodies with words and images recorded in the journals. Bring an open mind, curiosity and creativity! |
Tuesday, August 22
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10:30-11:30 am Guest Yoga Instructor: Kristi Lyons
Kristi Lyons is a form and flow Hatha yoga instructor who uses story telling as a tool for creativity and inspiration in her yoga classes. For the camp the girls learned to summon their inner strength through the story of the Goddess Durga. Durga is the warrior goddess of strength, protection, and courage. Her key teachings are to never doubt your own power, to stand firmly in your truth, anda to call forth your fearless heart. |
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1:45-2:45/3 pm Guest Speaker: Jennifer Johnson
Get Out of My Hair! Toxins in Personal Care – The girls learned how to read labels and choose personal care products that will keep them looking and smelling good while also protecting our water! They made an all-natural lip balm to take home and share resources to make buying decisions easier. |
Wednesday, August 23
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1:45-2:45/3 pm Guest Speaker: Jessica Hoene
Jessica spoke to the girls about self love cultivated from what they can do for others and what other people in their lives like about them. Her activity for them was a simple writing assignment focused on creating a positive mantra that they can say to themselves in the morning. Jessica's goal was to truly get the girls to explore all things positive and productive about them to not only avoid pitfalls, but to propel them in a positive direction. |
Thursday, August 24
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11:00 am -12:00 pm Guest Yoga Instructor: Aly Long
Aly is a mother and yoga teacher in Olympia. Aly offered brief discussion about self image/true self vs media image. Then they incorporated the use of intention setting, using mantra while holding poses and visualization for a complete yoga practice. The girls also practiced partner poses to remind them of the support we receive from other girls and community! |
Tahnee
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Dreamy
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1:45-2:45/3 pm Guest Speaker: Dreamy and Tahnee from Psychic Sister
Dreamy and Tahnee lead a discussion on the connections between fashion, body positivity, energy fields, and intuition. How does our outer presentation align with our inner sense of self? They opened with an exercise on seeing with the heart to develop their skill in perceiving ourselves and others in a sacred mirror. They closed the session with a tutorial on re-designing an old t-shirt to fit YOU. |
Friday, August 25
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10:45-11:45 am Guest Teacher: Jessica Rose
Jessica, is a mother, Chiropractor, teacher of consciousness studies, and sacred musician. She has taught mindfulness practices to children and adults and was excited to bring her heart-centered approach to life, business, and teaching to the Empowerment 4 Girls Program. Jessica guided the girls on a journey into their hearts and then how to anchor the beauty that they find there through community song. |
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1:45-2:45/3 pm Guest Speaker: Katherine Marsh
Being human means feeling distress from time to time. Distress is any pesky, uncomfortable emotion that, just like a classmate whose company we may not enjoy, we must learn to put up with. This may be worry, sadness, or feeling overwhelmed. While it’s helpful to explore the causes of distress, sometimes we also just need a break from it. Rest from Distress offers several tools to help identify distress, take a break from it using distraction, mindfulness or our senses, and sometimes can even help change our mood. Participants created a Rest from Distress plan and take-anywhere tool kit. |
Every camp is special by nature, but the August Summer Camp was particularly special in how our community gathered together to help support 6 girls coming to camp, by donating to our scholarship fund. Take a moment and read all of our special acknowledgements.
Thank you for creating another successful Empowerment 4 Girls Camp!
Kristen Rubis
Founder and Executive Director
Kristen Rubis
Founder and Executive Director
JULY 17-20, 2017 SUMMER CAMP
Olympia, WA
Olympia, WA
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I feel stronger inside and out.
I feel more positive about myself.
I feel like I can make a different in the world.
I feel more positive about myself.
I feel like I can make a different in the world.
Another Huge Success
Our July Empowerment Camp was another huge success and so much fun! The girls enjoyed all the Guest Speakers and some of the highlights were the meditation, sound healing, art, yoga and the dancing at the end of the day. It's truly such a gift to witness the girls transform into a deeper part of themselves while creating community and sisterhood together!
Monday, July 17
SELF CARE
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1:30-2:30 pm Guest Speaker: Rachel Friedman
GYROKINESIS® is a dynamic yoga/dance-based full body workout designed to exercise the entire spine while restoring strength and fluidity to muscles and joints. It’s fully rotational exercises build core and lean muscle strength while nourishing the body with focused breath work. It is truly energizing. Accompanied with Sound Healing for deeper self care! (Motion in Balance Studio 1:15-2:15) |
Tuesday, July 18
SELF LOVE
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10:45-11:45 am Guest Yoga Instructor: Rebekah Brems
The importance of pranayama, asana, and mudras is lovingly weaved through this one hour yoga class for strengthening and opening the heart. Focusing on aspects of the heart for self-confidence, opening and letting go to make space for creativity and self-love. (Motion in Balance Studio or Heritage Park) |
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1:30-2:30 pm Guest Speaker: Jennifer Johnson
Creating a Healthy Home – Learn how caring for the health of our home helps care for our own health! We will do a science experiment on the cleaning power of Comet cleanser vs. baking soda and make a green cleaning product to take home. (Heritage Park) |
Wednesday, July 19
SELF EXPLORATION
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1:30-2:30 pm Guest Speaker: Lynn Corliss
Lynn will take you on a nature tour of capital Lake and introduce you to the wildlife in our area. Have you ever wondered why there is so much algae in the lake during Lake Fair? Do you want to know why invasive species cause such a problem for our area? Take a relaxing walk and learn something new! (Heritage Park and the Lake) |
Thursday, July 20
SELF EXPRESSION
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10:45-11:45 am Guest Yoga Instructor: Vanessa Charles
(Motion in Balance Studio or Heritage Park) |
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1:30-2:30 pm Guest Speaker: Susan Burnham
Creating sisterhood through art and personal expression. Susan will be supporting the girls in creating their own Personal Mandalas. (Yoga Loft) |
Friday, July 21
SELF INSPIRATION
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1:30-2:30 pm Guest Speaker: Susan Tuzzolino
Susan will be offering "Our Senses and How They Help Us Describe Ourselves in the World.” This hour long presentation will help us "listen" to our senses as we use poetic language to describe ourselves in the community in which we live! (YogaLoft) |
Gratitude and Blessings
 | There are never enough words to express my deep, heart-felt gratitude for the girls who make the choice to come to camp, the parents who raise them and send them to camp, the community members who join to support them, and our generous donors who help support us on this journey. Thank you for creating another successful Empowerment 4 Girls Camp! Kristen Rubis Founder and Executive Director |
YOUR INPUT MATTERS
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Monday, July 17 - Friday, July 21
Monday, August 21 - Friday, August 25
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Monday, August 21 - Friday, August 25
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Creating Sisterhood Through Fun and Self-Expression
| Art projects, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, dance, positive affirmations, All-About-Me Collages, self-care tools, sound healing, snacks/lunch, theme-based guest speakers, outdoor activities, and talking circles. |
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