GLOW CAMP -
Girls Leading Our World Camp - Peace Corps Romania

From 5-11 August 2005, 15 high school girls, 2 young Romanian women and 3 Peace Corps Volunteers - Amber Friis, Amy White and me - held a GLOW Camp in Calimanesti, Romania.

The first day we got to know each other a little by playing games and designing posters about leadership. The second day, was full of sessions about goal setting; attitudes and opinions; violence, problem solving and anger management; and self-esteem.

The third day, we discussed sexual harassment. Then, in spite of rain, we took an 8 hour hike to an amazing waterfall in the mountains- this was one of the first real physical challenges for the girls. Though most of the girls live only 30 minutes away from the mountains - most of them had never hiked the mountains!

The fourth day, we focused sessions on attitudes that come through music; women’s health and sex - helping the girls to talk about subjects that are mostly considered taboo here: relationships, gender roles in relationships, the difference between healthy and abusive relationships; and how to help others who need help.


The fifth day, we hiked to the top and back of Mount Cozia! That was an extreme challenge for everyone! We climbed 1,668M (about 5,000 feet) and over 25 kilometers (12 miles) in about 12 hours! There were some bumps, blisters and bruises, but all the girls loved it!

The sixth day, we visited a ceramist in a nearby village to Ramnicu Valcea; the girls tried to make some pottery themselves and discovered it wasn’t easy and gave them a new-found appreciation for traditional craftsmen. Then, 10 girls tried to make it to the top of a climb wall in Valcea. Even the littlest one of the bunch made it to the top!

On the last day, we summarized what we achieved during the camp, debriefed the girls on what it all meant, continued to talk about goals, and asked them to apply what they learned to their own community. We heard a story of accomplishment and friendship from each girl! It was moving and full of emotions – the trainers were so proud! There was also an exchange of culture throughout the camp with activities like (6:00am) yoga classes, tye-dying, camp fire and s’mores, friendship bracelets, songs, games, water balloon fights, journal writing, and a scavenger hunt.

The girls told us what they learned from the camp was to “fight my fears” and not to not let “people and problems put me down;” the camp “determined a huge change” in me; to “not give up” and to get what you want; to try to be “more involved in activities concerning human problems;” to be “stronger” and “believe in myself;” to “acknowledge the problems women face” and how to solve them; to “help others the way I was helped;” and to “improve so many skills to do the things I want to do.”

The girls discovered what it means to be involved in their community and commented that “it is necessary to get involved in my community; it’s the way to make the world good;” you need “will and determination;” “I want to help, I want to be involved and I want to be backed-up;” “I realized that my ideas are worthwhile, that I can help others by being a good leader;” “The first step to get involved in your community is knowing what the problems are in it. Our amazing trainers made them very easy to solve,” I feel “more ambitious about organizing different activities” for the community; camp taught me to be “more responsible and more involved in serious problems. I have also learned that we are stronger if we are together and if we are a team!”

We asked the girls how they felt about themselves after the camp and these were some of the comments we received: “I succeeded to overcome my fears. My self-confidence became higher and I am more confident now.” “I am open to new things, new ideas and new people.” “I’m strong. I’m socialable. I’m a woman so I’m great!” “I know I can do lots of things through my will.” “Lots of things challenged me during the camp and it feels so good just knowing that you can do so many things you never thought you could.” “More confident and ambitious.” “I’m finally becoming the fighter I always wanted to be!” “I trust myself more.” “I used to be awfully lazy, and these days I am the opposite of that.”

The sessions/activities they found most helpful where: “Discovering ourselves- learning how to deal with problem situations.” “The abuse sessions because it made us realize that all the things that bother us here are not normal at all and we definitely have to fight back!” “We discussed our problems and how to solve them. I knew other people had problems like me.” “The goals session- people spoke so openly about their images for the future that is woke up hope again in me.” “When we talked about sex because it is a taboo that we don’t talk about, but the talk was really open and gave me another point of view.” “I appreciated the abuse session because it offered me confidence about noticing the difference between normal situations and abusive ones.”

Additional comments the girls made: “I hope other women will have this awesome opportunity. This might change their life. Actually I’m sure it will…” “If you do it next year, can I participate?” “Great, super, wow, amazing, unique, challenging, interesting, diverse, useful, friendship, open discussions, new, different, better.”

One of the greatest comments we felt most proud of was “I learned that girls are so much better than I could have ever believed!” We felt proud of all the girls- for their willingness to challenge themselves in new ways and discover the strength in themselves and their friends! Overall, we saw the girls develop friendship and teamwork! The camp ended with a flurry of emotions, hugs and tears!
It was truly unique and challenging experience but one in which each girl will take with them for life and help others in return. We believe strongly in developing young people (both male and female) about giving back to your community, volunteerism, leadership and helping them to find ways to solve and address serious issues like gender equality, abuse, sexual harassment, etc… that will make an impact in the lives of so many others!

The GLOW Girls are planning to organize a Halloween Fundraiser this year and we hope it will give the girls a chance to meet again and learn more about being community leaders!