About
Camp Diva Leadership Academy
Camp Diva Leadership Academy is where Black girls build sisterhood and self-esteem and deepen scholarship outside the classroom. For over two decades, we have supported more than 1500 girls in a culturally curated space that encourages Black girls to take their rightful place as leaders. Parents often share that Camp Diva is the camp they needed when they were young, and they are thrilled that we can provide the resources their girls need to thrive today.
Participants will discover amazing places, and take fascinating detours on their personal journey and route together. Girl will discover themselves, the community and the power of sisterhood as they explore the world of being a girl in a more fair and empowering way!
Camp Diva is for rising 5th - rising 9th grade self-identifying Black girls.
Mission in Bloom is our signature program for rising 9th grade girls only.
2024 Camp Diva Brochure
Our Schedule
2024 Program Details
Applications and Scholarships will open on February 23
and close on May 15th or when we reach capacity.
Camp Dates
Monday, June 24 - Friday, August 2, 2024
Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 6:00pm
6 weeks
Camp Closed
Thursday, July 4 & Friday, July 5
Location
100 Buford Road
N Chesterfield, VA 23235
Other Important Dates
Girls For A Change Offices Closed
Prior to the camp start date, we are closed to prepare.
Monday, June 17 - Friday, June 21.
Portrait of A Black Teen Girl Photoshoot
Friday, July 19, 2024
Market Day
Friday, July 26, 2024
Closing Ceremony
Friday, August 2
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Registration is required.
Details to come.
Please mark these dates on your calendar.
They are important parts of the camp experience.
The Camp Experience
Looking for a culture-filled summer program packed with fun, friends, field trips, learning, and a positive social impact?
Camp Diva Leadership Academy is where Black girls thrive because they are the focus.
Girls For A Change’s summer camp provides each participant with opportunities to grow, discover themselves, and explore the world around them while connecting, collaborating, and celebrating in a gender responsive and culturally-affirming community.
Yes, girls, this is the best way to spend your summer break!
Camp Diva is a full-day, immersive camp that celebrates Black identity and emphasizes culture and values. We aim to build girls’ confidence and self-esteem to find their voices, uncover their sparks, discover their passion, and define their values. Through informative workshops, hands-on activities, peer-to-peer mentoring, and weekly field trips, girls begin to unlock their potential, chart their path forward, and develop their leadership and communication skills. These practices not only facilitate great experiences for our girls, but they also support and foster social-emotional development, enhance their physical ability, promote creativity, and encourage each girl to believe in herself.
We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and follow guidelines to ensure the safety of our girls, volunteers, and staff. You will receive all pertinent information and updates prior to the girls attending camp.
Benefits
Camp Diva Leadership Academy offers an affirming space for young Black girls to be nurtured and supported in developing the following:
- Showing their Glow
- Resilience in Self Discovery
- Stimulating STEAM Activities
- Flourish in Freedom
- Journey to Individuality
- Compassionate Communication
- Nourish the World
Mission in Bloom
Mission in Bloom is a final experience as part of the Camp Diva Leadership Academy.
Starting high school is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful for students and parents. Camp Diva will be a summer resource to help your daughter start her high school journey!
Unfortunately, for many Black girls, 8th grade means much more than the end of middle school. Completing middle school marks the end of their perceived innocence. Along with their other peers who are maturing, Black girls are forced to confront adultification, racism, and a myriad of other additional microaggressive attacks on their body, mind, and spirit.
During this part of life, change is constant, but girls aren’t changing at the same time in the same ways. Adolescent bodies, brains and even social skills develop at vastly different rates. Girls may distance themselves from close friends as they change and discover who they are. Young people will change their minds often about what— and who—is a good fit for them, before settling into their choices.
No worries, eventually, with support and guidance they stop changing so much and settle into comfortable relationships, but that takes time.
For Parents
Please read all instructions carefully!
Summary of required registration documents
Digital Registration Packet includes:
- Application
- Scholarship application (if applying)
- Cell phone agreement
- CDC policy
- Planned Parenthood Consent Form
- Field Trip Agreement (weekly form)
- Proof of Birth/Identity Documentation
- Computer Loan Agreement
- Recent Physical Examination and Immunization Records-School Health Entrance Form
Please note that the Girls For A Change office is not responsible for contacting your provider for signatures needed for registration.
Start planning your girls’ summer experience by reading and agreeing to our COVID-19 guidelines and agreement and starting your camp registration. Below is a step-by-step guide on registering for camp.
Register one girl at a time.
- Complete the application form and pay the $25.00 registration fee no later than Wednesday, May 15. When you are ready to submit your application, go to the Submit Application tab and click Submit. Payments can only be made in the application via a credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. A $25 non refundable registration fee is due for all applicants at the time of registration. Applicants will make this payment using a credit card through STRIPE at the time of the application. Credit card payments cannot be made over the phone.
- During the application process, please be sure to review our Phase One Safe Reopening plan for Camp Diva Leadership Academy.
- After completing the application form and paying the $25.00 registration fee, you can make your first payment in full or a $300.00 payment to start your payment plan on MyProcare.
- Once you have completed the registration, you will receive an email with next steps and documents that you will need to sign, mail and/or drop off at Girls For A Change, Chesterfield Branch located at 100 Buford Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23235.
- Camp Diva spots will be reserved on a "first come, first served" basis for all registrants.
- Registration will close on Wednesday, May 15, at 11:45pm, prior to Camp Diva’s start date (Monday, June 24) OR when Camp Diva is at full capacity.
- Cancellation Policy: Final payment is due on Friday, June 14 at 5 pm. If you do not confirm your registration and pay for camp by the cutoff date, your registration will be canceled and made available to other participants.
If your girl is no longer able to come to camp and you would like to cancel her reservation, please contact Girls For A Change as soon as possible. Communicating your cancelation makes it possible for other girls to attend Camp Diva.
- If you cancel prior to May 15, 2024, you will receive a full refund of your payment to the original payment method, less a $25 processing fee.
- If you cancel between June 1, 2024 and up to seven (7) business days prior to your camp start date, you will receive a 100% credit for next year’s Camp Diva registration, less a $25 processing fee, usable for any Girls For A Change offering through August 31, 2025.
- No credit or refunds will be provided if you cancel within seven (7) business days of Camp Diva’s start date.
Register
Rising 5th is FULL.
Join the waitlist below.
Rising 6th & 7th is FULL.
Join the waitlist below.
Our History
The wearing of white attire on designated official occasions is among the most well-respected and treasured traditions of Camp Diva, established by the late Clover Smith, mother of Diva Mistadi Smith Roane. Wearing white represented a fresh start and renewal as the participants enter into the next academic year and also something that Clover would never get to experience with her daughter Diva Mistadi Smith Roane who lost her life carelessly through the use of a firearm in 2004.
Camp Fees
Registration Fees
$25, nonrefundable application fee payable through STRIPE at the time of application. This helps cover the cost of our staff to process applications. Please have your payment method ready before applying.
Camp Fees
Camp costs average $2600 per girl. We are able to offer a percentage off this amount to families due to donations made to Girls For A Change in 2023-24. Our camp costs are around 30% lower than the cost of the average summer camp fee.
$210 per week, per girl, for 6 weeks ($1260 total)
Financial aid and full scholarships are still available to support families that need additional assistance. Please apply here.
Your Camp Fees include one camp T-shirt. Camp shirts will be worn on field trip days. Additional shirts are available for $25.00. The other portion of the registration fee will be used to purchase supplies and equipment.
Weekly Field Trips (may include an additional cost)
Payments are due in full by Friday, June 14, before the start of camp. Camp payments are only payable through MyProcare. Pay in full by Monday, May 13 to receive 10% off for the entire summer camp.
PLEASE NOTE: A late fee of $10.00 will be charged for each five-minute interval that your child is at camp past 6pm.
Payment plan option, suggested $228 per payment
Parents have the option to make payments leading up to the summer to secure their daughter's spot.
Suggested payment schedule:
February 15
March 15
April 15
May 15
June 14
No matter when you register, all final payments are due Friday, June 14 at 5pm. The earlier you register, the easier your payments will be.
Sibling Discount
10% discount per additional sibling if 2 or more children in your family register for camp. The discount does not apply to scholarship awards. This will be automatically calculated on the MyProcare portal.
For the sibling discount, you will need to email Na’Kera Richardson.
Girls For A Change firmly believes in keeping summer camp affordable, which is why our registration fees are approximately half of the current cost to operate a summer camp. The rest of our operating costs for Camp Diva are covered by donations.
In an effort to communicate the reason for rising camp fees, we have broken down some of the traditional summer camp costs below and held them up against what we charge as a camp for registration fees.
The largest increase over the years has been the increasing cost of proper camp insurance, an increase of camp regulations, and overall cost inflation.
Fortunately, due to donations and sponsorships, we can make sure Camp Diva is affordable, discounted, or free to any family interested in their daughter attending without financial strain.
After adding up the costs of medical, utilities, office, maintenance, janitorial, training and development, and the closing ceremony, Camp Diva costs average around $300 per girl per week.
A Breakdown of Fees
- Taxes: The GST is 5% on all registration fee's, and goods sold.
- Snacks and Food: Campers receive 2 snacks a day equaling $15.00 per camper.
- Field Trips and transportation: $80 per participant
- Cleaning services: $125 per day
- Participant Costs include supplies, equipment, computers, snacks, field trips, Camp Kits, guest speakers, staff, transportation, camp shirts, swim lessons, and space rental.
- T-shirts and bags: $50 per participant
- Payroll: One of the highest costs as all summer workers must be screened to ensure they are suitable candidates for working with children, properly trained, and offered an honorarium. During the summer, we require a staff of 7-10. The cost of the honorarium alone for these workers is over $50.00 per participant.
- Insurance: The price of insurance increases every year. Right now the cost is around $15.00 - $20.00 per participant based on 25 participants.
How to Pay
Girls For A Change is pleased to offer MyProcare, a free online parent portal for you to access account information and easily pay tuition. MyProcare is available on any computer, tablet & phone. MyProcare is safe, secure, and created with your convenience in mind.
MyProcare allows you to do the following:
- View contact information, emergency contacts and pickup persons.
- View account balances, recent payments and ledger history.
- View your child’s schedule, time card, immunizations and more.
- Print statements and end-of-year tax summaries.
- Use the Pay button to make a payment with your card.
Please visit www.MYPROCARE.COM, click login, set up your child's profile by Friday, June 14, 2024. Programs will not appear until registration opens, and also will not appear until your profiles are made.
Payment Options:
Girls For A Change only accepts electronic payments through MyProcare and Tuition Express. No cash or checks will be accepted. We offer several types of electronic payment options:
- Automated Credit Card Transactions – This option allows you to automatically pay your tuition each billing period. Contact our office to set up automated payments through a credit/debit card. Click here for the Tuition Express – Automated Payment Form
- Automated ACH Transactions – This option allows you to automatically pay your tuition each billing period. Contact our office to setup automated payments through a checking or savings account. Click here for the Tuition Express – Automated Payment Form
- Point of Sale Credit Card Transactions – This option allows you to pay your tuition at our office using your credit/debit card.
- Online Payments – This option allows you to pay your tuition online when you login to your MyProcare or Tuition Express account.
SCS accepts VISA and MASTERCARD.
For RETURNING FAMILIES - Log into MyProcare
Please use the email you have on file with SCS. Current families will click a link from your email or on your website.
-
- Begin by entering your email address.
- If you haven’t already selected a password, a confirmation number will be sent to your mail and you will enter the number and choose a password to log in. If they already have a password, the confirmation number step is skipped.
- Once logged in, you may need to select which Childcare/Youth facility to log into (if your email address is found at more than one Childcare/Youth facility). Once you are here, you can view information, update your phone number or mailing address, or make a payment (depending on which options you have allowed).
NEW FAMILIES - REGISTER ON MyProcare
- New families will begin by entering their email address.
- A confirmation number will be sent to your email and you will enter this number to log in.
- Next, enter parent information and your child(ren)’s information. Answer questions you’ve set up using the Question Manager.
Scholarships
GFAC strongly believes that no girl should be denied an opportunity to attend a program due to lack of funds; however, we ask every effort be made by each applicant and their family to “earn their own way.” Partial scholarships on a sliding-scale or full scholarships are available. Please note that financial aid and scholarship decisions are made based on the household income and If you are approved for a partial scholarship, you will receive a payment plan upon approval with weekly payments. If you are approved for a full scholarship, you are only responsible for additional fees that may apply. All applicants, regardless of scholarship status, are required to pay the non-refundable registration fee.
Financial Aid & Scholarship Application Opens on Thursday, February 15 and Closes Wednesday, May 15.
All documents must be turned in during this time as well. We recommend parents/guardians having documents ready to mail or deliver in-person during the application process.
Parents/guardians will be notified of scholarship approval on Wednesday, May 29, and will need to agree and accept the award by June 8. If you receive financial aid in lieu of a full scholarship due to the sliding scale, you are responsible for your discounted rate no later than Friday, June 14, at 5pm.
Every Black Girl Tuition Assistance
Financial Aid & Scholarship Application Instructions and Information Applying for Assistance
The Every Black Girl program helps make Girls For A Change program affordable for families through an income-based sliding fee scale. To get started:
- Bring your most recent 1040 tax form. (If you do not file, we will ask you to complete Form 4506-T.)
- Complete the short Every Black Girl Tuition Assistance application linked below and we'll find the camp rate that works for your family.
- A copy of your driver's license
Please note that every year, you will need to provide your most recent tax form for income verification.
Send a Black Girl To Camp
Help us reach our goal of giving back and providing support to Black girls.
Girls For A Change is a charitable not-for-profit organization in compliance with IRS code 501(c)3. Charitable donations to Girls For A Change are tax-deductible.
Missed the Deadline or Camp is Full?
Girls For A Change will notify families about openings no later than Friday, June 14. Families will learn if their participants can start the program immediately or if camp is full for the summer.
If your high school girl is in need of a summer program, consider Immersion Lab.
Camp Diva Leadership Academy Waiting List Process
When an opening becomes available, all families on the waiting list will be notified according to date of application, with priority given to siblings of children already enrolled and families whose requested schedule most closely fits the available opening. Please respond as soon as possible. Although notification is sent according to position on the waiting list, interviews and tours will be scheduled in the order that responses are received. Families who do not reply within two days will be removed from the waiting list.
Parents /guardians who are offered the opening have 24 hours to submit a registration form, the registration fee, and pay the full camp fees. After this 24-hour window has passed, prospective families may be offered the opening. At this point, the opening will be filled on a “first come, first served” basis, depending on which family submits the registration items first.
We are delighted that you have found Girls For A Change and will be joining the Camp Diva’s Sisterhood circle this summer.
Please review the following instructions to complete the registration process.
To reserve your space, please complete the registration form, pay your registration fee and submit. Complete the financial aid and scholarship application and provide all required documents no later than Monday, May 31st.
Please note that your registration is not considered legally binding until all forms/documents listed below are received and confirmed by Girls For A Change office.
The following registration forms must be completed and received at the Girls For A Change office no later than Friday, June 14 at 5pm.
NOTE: Scholarships are not available for waitlisted participants.
Testimonials
A lot of people get placed in a box and are not encouraged to dream—be a nurse, accountant, teacher—but you really want to support our girls to dream beyond all things, whether it be in the arts, or something that isn’t a traditional job for women, especially black women.
– Brandie Martin, Parent
Once we get into the program, we don’t really greet each other by names; we call each other sisters in Camp Diva because we are a sisterhood. Being an alumna is kind of like being a big sister. It’s like a family.
– Yasmeen Johnson, Alumna
Like all relationships, friendships take effort, but the time and energy I put into new friendship up for camp, participating and maintaining friendships has benefited me long after your summer is over.
- Olivia Barnes, Participant