For over 10 years, we've been igniting the passions and talents of 6th to 10th grade girls and nonbinary youth in one-week camps in playwriting, comedy, fashion design & self-expression through art (aka Artfully Minded). Held in Denver’s Westwood Neighborhood, professionals teach, guest artists share expertise, and community mentors guide our campers to discover their voices, build confidence, and become agents of change—both within themselves and in the world around them. Girls Create amplifies the journey of creation, not just the final product, ensuring that every moment of learning and exploration is valued. 

Each week-long program culminates in a final weekly project for the community, including friends and family of the girls and non-binary youth, to experience their work. All Girls Create camps are in-person from 9am-3pm MT Monday-Friday at Blossom House in Denver. 

Girls Stand-Up, Girls Write, Girls Design Fashion, and Girls Artfully Minded seek to encourage girls and nonbinary youth to tap into their creativity, gain confidence, and do what they love. Learn more at https://athenaprojectarts.org/summer-camps/ 

CAMP DETAILS: 

Girls Design Fashion nurtures self-expression through fashion! Without using sewing machines, campers explore design with color, form, and inspiration. Our teaching professionals and guest artists will talk about different fashion occupations, design techniques, upcycling and the importance of sustainability. Campers will learn about basic hand stitches, pattern use, sketching and design to create their own illustrations and dream boards. At the end of the week, each camper may show off a favorite design, upcycle project or outfit at a fashion show for family and friends

Dates:  July 7-11, 2025 

Location: Blossom House, 3300 W. Nevada Place, Denver CO, 80219

Cost: $300 (includes materials fee)

Girls Stand-Up introduces the campers to professional comedians and mentors who teach the basics of putting together a comedy set. In a nurturing, safe environment, campers are encouraged to find their own unique voices through storytelling. They will be inspired through improv, mask-making, dream boards and more. At the end of the week, each camper will perform their own comedy set!   

Dates: July 14-18, 2025

Location: Blossom House, 3300 W. Nevada Place, Denver CO, 80219

Cost: $300 (includes guest artist fees)

Girls Write immerses our campers in playwriting. Teaching professionals guide them through the fundamentals, using improv and sample scripts for inspiration. Mentors provide cheerleading and encouragement, supporting each camper’s ideas and leading them to the creation of a short play. At the end of the week,  professional actors and directors bring each story to life! As they develop creative tools for storytelling, the campers gain confidence in their unique voices and experience the joy of collaborating with others.  

Dates:  July 21-25, 2025 

Location: Blossom House, 3300 W. Nevada Place, Denver CO, 80219

Cost: $300 (includes guest artist fees)

Girls Artfully Minded campers explore a variety of art forms including visual art, movement, writing, improv, and spoken word. With the guidance of guest artists, our campers will discover first-hand how art establishes a foundation for the development of empathy for others and self-compassion for themselves. They will learn to use the arts as powerful tools for transformation, healing, and community. 

Dates: July 28- August 1, 2025 

Location: Blossom House, 3300 W. Nevada Place, CO, 80219

Cost: $300 (includes materials fee)

A limited number of scholarships are available; please contact [email protected] for more details.

About Athena Project: Athena Project amplifies the voices of all women and underrepresented genders through the arts by providing them with paid work opportunities while also ensuring audiences get to see and hear their artistic works. We change the world, one paid underrepresented artist at a time. Our programs evolve as the political and social landscape changes.

At present, they include:  Read & Rant: A Plays in Progress Series, a book club that serves the needs of new playwrights, providing them with readers and dramaturgical support while providing community members with opportunities to support new work. Curating Art for Impact, a collaboration with or on behalf of community partners, providing unique experiential art such as pop-up performances which elevate and amplify their missions. Artful Reflections, a forum which connects artists with their audiences and fellow artists with a facilitated discussion about the emotional impact of the art through the lens of the attendants' world views and identities. Girls Create, summer intensive week-long camps exploring various art forms for middle school girls and non-binary youth which explore art forms like playwriting, fashion design, stand up comedy and self-expression through art, culminating in final performances shared with friends, family, and the public. This program empowers participants to lead and effect change in themselves and others through creative learning.