Applications for our 2025 Rock Camp mentors are open now!
Rock Camp is a music and mentorship program for girls (trans and cis), trans boys, gender diverse and intersex youth aged 10-17. We are seeking instrument instructors, ‘band managers’ and band coaches to facilitate our participants’ experience throughout the week.
Over the course of camp the participants will learn an instrument, form a band, take part in a range of creative and capacity building workshops and get to see a range of live performances by visiting artists. At the end of the week the bands perform for family and friends at the end-of-camp showcase. Our mentors are integral to providing a safe and dynamic environment for our campers and encouraging them to express their creativity while learning not to apologise for who they are.
This year’s camp will take place Monday the 29th of September to Friday the 3rd of October, 9am to 4pm, at Ainslie Arts Centre in Braddon. Our end of camp showcase takes place on Saturday 4th of October.
Every mentor must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Hold a current Working With Vulnerable Peoples Card (or your state’s equivalent) or be willing to acquire one before camp
- Be interviewed by GR!C staff (a 15 minute phone or video call)
- Attend a mandatory orientation day, Saturday 15th of September 1pm-4pm at Ainslie Arts Centre.
Gender diverse applicants*, and applicants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are encouraged. Mentor places are limited and highly sought-after, so first priority will be given to applicants from the Canberra region. Mentors need to be over 18 years of age, but internship openings for people under 18 will be announced soon.
Mentor places are limited and highly sought-after, so first priority will be given to applicants from the Canberra region. Mentors need to be over 18 years of age, but internship openings for people under 18 will be announced soon.
*All mentor positions are open to people of marginalised gender identities. This includes women (transgender and cisgender), transgender men, and gender diverse and intersex people. We recognise that gender is self-identified, and that there is a variety of language people may use to best express their experience of gender. We strongly encourage and prioritise applicants from people with diverse identities and lived experiences.
Position descriptions:
Band Coach
Band coaches are assigned to one band for the duration of the week. Working with a Band Manager, you will monitor each band practice and help the band members prepare for their live performance at the end of the week. As band coach, you will guide campers in all aspects of working in a band including setting up, tuning, songwriting, stage presence learning to play as a group and learning to listen to one another.
Necessary experience: experience playing in bands and performing live
Desired experience/qualifications: registered youth worker, teacher/education qualification
Band Manager
Band Managers provide support, advice and endless encouragement for their band throughout the week, while promoting healthy band dynamics. You’ll accompany them as attend workshops, help them come up with a band name and logo, lead break time activities, and more. No musical experience is required but working with youth is a plus.
Necessary experience: working with youth
Desired experience/qualifications: registered youth worker, teacher/education qualifications
Instrument Instructor
As an Instrument Instructor, you will have basic to advanced knowledge in the instrument you are teaching (guitar, bass, drums, vocals or electronic), are flexible and able to cater to different skill levels. Some participants have been taking lessons for years, some may have never picked up their chosen instrument before this week! You will work with another Instrument Instructor, as well as the Program Coordinator, to produce a class plan for the week (we can help you with this!). This does not need to be overly formal – you’re just teaching enough for each participant to be able to write a song by the end of the week.
Necessary experience: teaching music
Desired experience/qualifications: teaching music to youth, working with youth
Image: Mentors Fiona, Jana and Claudine (sitting) with 2017 GR!C Winter band Liquid Nitrogen (standing). Photographed by Monica Styles