Adult programming
Retreats & Workshops for those 18+ and out-of-high-school
We’ve heard it for years…
“I wish this was around when I was a kid…”
NOW, IT’S TIME TO TAKE CENTER STAGE!
We Rock is an intensive Thursday - Sunday music retreat for cis-women, trans, and non-binary folx ages 18+, post-high school. Participants of all experience and skill levels will learn an instrument (guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, synthesizer, auxiliary instruments, or vocals), form a band, write a song, learn a cover, design a band logo & zine, and perform onstage at an end-of-retreat showcase for friends, family, and fans.
Workshops and classes offered during the retreat include Instrument lessons, Band Rehearsal, Collaborative Songwriting, Art, and more.
NO MUSICAL EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!
Tuition from the Retreat Raises Funds for Youth Scholarships!
All tuition from the We Rock Retreat goes to fund youth scholarships for our Summer Camps!
2025 Retreat Dates
REGISTRATION OPENS: November!
RETREAT DATES: FEB 27th- MAR 2nd
What do we offer at the retreat?
Rockers will form bands on their first day of the retreat! Following band formation, they will collaborate & write one original tune, and learn a curated cover tune. Bands will be mentored by at least one band coach. Rockers also have the opportunity to learn from our workshops ranging from Audio Engineering, and Self-care, to Bystander Training, Songwriting, and the Herstory of Women & Folx in Music.
Tuition Covers:
Individual Instrument Instruction
Band Rehearsal
Band coaching
Workshops & Classes
We Rock Zine
Professional Band Photos
Showcase
WeRock Schedule for this year:
Thursday, February 27th: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday, February 28th: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Saturday, March 1st: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday, March 2nd: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Please commit to the full schedule!
The retreat is a 4-day, music intensive. Please be sure you can fully commit. We program every minute of the schedule with purpose; an absence or late arrival is disruptive to both your experience and that of your bandmates.
If for any reason you decide to cancel your registration, a $50 cancellation fee will apply.
Where is the retreat?
Our headquarters for all things GR⚡️DSM!
Instrument Assignments
We want to create a balanced and instrument-diverse retreat! If it’s your first time playing an instrument, we recommend keys! If you are a returning rocker, maybe give yourself a little push and try something new, or stick with your tried and true! Let the Fates decide… meaning we’ll pick an instrument for you to rock out on.
Rockers
Space is limited to 48 participants per retreat.
Rocker Application Process:
All registrations are processed through our google forms link.
Pay-what-you-can Sliding Scale & Application Fee
In our 10+ years as an organization, we have never turned anyone away due to a lack of funds, and we never will.
Tuition is on a sliding scale ($1 - $400+), and based on one’s annual household income.
There is a $25, non-refundable, application fee. If you need assistance with this fee, email Director@girlsrockdsm.org
What is a sliding scale?
A sliding scale is a tool to ensure folks have equal access to experiences, regardless of financial resources. We ask for your active participation in deciding your contribution. If a sliding scale is implemented effectively, everyone pays a similar percentage of their income(s) for tuition. This way, the cost of our programming is not pocket change for some folks but a big commitment for other folks. While GR!DSM is a small organization, and your tuition contributes essential funds to support our youth programming, we make sliding scale a priority because we acknowledge that we live in a world of differing privileges and income disparities. (Shout out to GRP (http://girlsrockphilly.org) and GRCB (https://www.grcboston.org/) for developing thoughtful and descriptive language around the benefits of the sliding scale tuition model) At the same time, please be generous in paying what you can — we rely heavily on tuition to run our programs and ensure they are accessible for all.
Sliding scale tiers are guideposts, not absolutes.
Suggested tuition rates are based upon the median income of Greater Des Moines residents, and market research of Girls Rock organizations in the Midwest and specialty music camps within Iowa and Greater Des Moines.
We will always work with you on tuition costs.
GRDSM will request income verification documents. "Income verification serves to establish how much someone is earning to verify if they have the capacity to pay for something." We have implemented this approach to provide greater consistency, transparency, and accessibility to financial support, to better reflect our mission, vision, and values, and further align with our Girls Rock Camp Alliance community and our collective "Points Of Unity."
Approved income verification documents include the first page of your most recent tax return, pay stubs, w2 form, 10-99, employer letter, unemployment documentation, disability insurance, pension distribution statement, and court-ordered payments. If you are unable or would prefer not to provide one of these documents, you may fill out an income verification form comparable to a free/reduced lunch form.
If you prefer not to submit documentation, we ask that you pay the full tuition rate.
Tuition is a tax-deductible donation!
All tuitions are due one week or 7 days before the start of your retreat.
If you have questions or need support in this process, please contact our Executive Director, Rachel Gulick at Director@girlsrockdsm.org.
Cancellation Policy: Girls Rock! Des Moines understands that life can surprise us.
GR!DSM will fully refund your retreat tuition cost if you cancel your attendance by 11:59 pm, February 1st. If cancellation happens after, no refund will be provided.
We Rock Showcase
Rockers will take center stage with their bands in this exciting performance opportunity and conclusion to the retreat.
Sunday, March 2nd
Where: TBD
Showtime: 3:00 pm
Doors: 2:00 pm