South Sound Rocks!

South Sound Rocks! centers and supports youth of marginalized genders ages 8 to 17 in a safe, empowering, music-based environment that fosters leadership, encourages creativity, and cultivates a supportive community of peers, mentors and role models. 

Our week-long South Sound Rocks! day camp in Federal Way uses music education and positive aspects of rock music culture—like loud and visible confidence, overt expression and sonic experimentation—to provide a safe and welcoming space for campers to learn more about themselves, the creative process and their potential to be heard.

SSR! culminates in a Showcase where campers debut their songs for an audience of friends, family and community members.

Music Instruction for Every Level

• Individual Instrument Instruction: Learn the basics of how to play and care for your instrument. Already know a little? Our instructors will help boost you to the next level!
• Band Practice: Learn how to collaborate and create a song in a band with other campers. Take the stage at the end of the week to showcase your brand new song as a band!

Workshops to Inspire and Empower

• Past workshops at camp have included everything from Identity and Activism to Body Power.

• Workshops bring campers together to create safe spaces for empowering conversations AND to learn about music-related topics like stage presence and pedal effects.

Please reach out to programsupport@raincityrockcamp.org with any questions.

Who May Apply to South Sound Rocks!?

All youth of marginalized genders 8 to 17 years of age are welcome to apply for camp. No music experience is necessary, and you don’t have to live in Seattle or Washington State to apply. Black, Indigenous, People of Color and gender expansive individuals are strongly encouraged to apply! 

How Much Does South Sound Rocks! cost?

We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to have their voice heard. That’s why our tuition is on a sliding scale from $425 to $0 and is, as always, pay-what-you-can. We appreciate your support in paying what you are able, and any amount over $425 is a tax-deductible donation that will continue to help us rock the world! Your contributions ensure access to this experience for all.

What Happens After I Apply for South Sound Rocks!?

You’ll hear back from us at the end of the enrollment period in May. If you don’t initially get a spot in South Sound Rocks!, don’t worry. You’ll be immediately put on the waiting list and will hear from us if any spots become available. We’ll do our best to get you in!

What is the Express Yourself Piece (EYP)?

The EYP component of the South Sound Rocks! application is a way for us to get to know you better! We want you to create something that exemplifies who you are and what the theme of the year means to you. For 2022, we’ll be asking applicants to create something that exemplifies who you are and what the camp theme “Turn the Tables” means to you.  Here are some thoughts on the theme to get you started:

• How have you turned the tables in your life this year?
• What’s a way that you’ve turned the tables, or remixed, your perspective on something?
• Who would you invite to the table with you to talk about changing the world?

The EYP can be in any format you choose—painting, song, video, collage, you name it! The more creative, the better! We do ask that you submit your EYP in either PDF, MP4, MP3 or WAV format. Please email your EYP to programsupport@raincityrockcamp.org within two weeks of application. We are so excited to see what you come up with and may even feature your EYP on the RCRC Instagram page! 

More questions? Check out our South Sound Rocks! FAQs