Can you recall a time as a young girl when you wished you had the skills to cope with anxiety and worry, to stand up to your peers, to follow your instincts, and to voice your needs?
Imagine if you had been given some tools to find some peace and calm, to help you find your voice, to listen to your gut, to embrace your uniqueness, and to feel empowered and confident in your choices?
Empower UP! is a unique Day Camp opportunity for young girls that provides personal growth at an impressionable time in their lives.
During this unique and engaging week of day camp, the girls will practice self-confidence skills that reduce anxiety so that they can feel empowered even during those difficult times where they question their ability to cope with challenges.
"The effects were immediate. My daughter oozed positivity and enthusiastically shared what she learned about meditation. The positive messages of the camp came out daily in our conversations. She told me she loved the camp, she 'felt welcomed there' and was one of the only places she felt she could truly 'be herself'."
~ Kristen, Teacher and Mother
"Exceeded Expectations"
"The whole camp exceeded my expectations - from the thoughtful, empowering activities and crafts, exposure to nature, healthy snacks - this camp provided a truly empowering and enriching experience."
~ Jenny, Teacher and Mother
"Self-Acceptance"
My girls learned so much at this camp! They learned coping skills to deal with stress, they identified their personal attributes and strengths, and they LOVED the healthy recipes!! I heard a lot of positive 'I am' statements. I also heard my daughters talk a lot about self acceptance... which is awesome! The mindfulness and art projects exceeded my expectation."
~ Cassie, Teacher and Mother
Hello! I am Karen Kane, founder of Enlightened Empowerment and the Empower UP! Camp for girls. I empower kids who struggle with low self-esteem, anxiety, and strong emotions to choose a new mindset, one that makes them feel more in control of their lives, their choices and their emotions. I am a certified Life Coach for Kids, through the Adventures in Wisdom(TM) program, have a Masters in Teaching, and have been teaching yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to kids since 2002. I am on a mission to help kids see the beauty within and to be the leaders of their own lives!
Camp Elements and Activities
1
Mindset Coaching
Karen Kane, the instructor and founder of Enlightened Empowerment, is a certified WISDOM life coach for kids through the Adventures in Wisdom(TM) program. Over the week, the girls will have lessons on connecting to their own inner wisdom, honoring their uniqueness, creating powerful self-confidence, identifying negative self-talk, powershifting to positive self-talk, and becoming their own BFF. Lessons are taught in an engaging way through the use of storytelling. (Stories and lessons are from the Adventures in Wisdom(TM) curriculum.)
2
Emotional Regulation & Tools for Anxiety
The girls will learn many tools for managing emotions and thoughts of worry and fear (common at this age) through brain hacks,breathwork and mindfulness practices. We will be making foods that nourish the nervous system, learning some energy balancing exercises along with a daily meditation and yoga practice, which has been proven to be highly beneficial in regulating emotions and calming anxiety.
3
Hiking
The camp is held adjacent to the Preston-Fall City trail system, allowing miles of hiking on paved and dirt trails. Each day, we will walk up to the trail to spend some time in nature, where we will practice mindfulness skills and have some fun too. One year we hiked to the base of Snoqualmie Falls! (This is entirely dependent on the girls' hiking abilities, as a group, and not a guaranteed experience.)
4
Intrapersonal Skills
Three of the most empowering things girls in this camp will learn is how to manage thoughts, control emotions, and cultivate inner awareness. This is where our INTRA-personal skills lie. Kids are already exposed to INTER-personal skills, such as being a team player, cooperating with others, communicating, etc., but little is done for kids to develop self-awareness. When they tap into that power within, they are better able to control their reactions, stand their ground, and make conscious decisions that align with their own integrity.
5
Art and Projects
On the first day, the girls will decorate their own special treasure boxes to collect all the things we will make over the week. Among those will be a very special "I AM" board where they will get to make a poster that beautifully expresses all of their wonderful qualities. We will also make stress balls and affirmation flags and more. There are too many projects to name here! Each participant will go home with an Empower UP t-shirt that they will tie-dye themselves!
6
Yoga & Meditation
Each morning, we will begin our day with a yoga and meditation practice. Karen has been teaching yoga to kids for over 20 years and teaches classes after school in locations throughout the community. Yoga provides amazing physical, mental, and emotional benefits. The impact of having a quiet, safe space to find some peace and allow the mind to be free of thoughts is profound and such a gift to receive at such a young age! This is often times the girls' most favorite part of the camp!
7
Hula Hoop Dance
Who doesn't like to hula hoop? But, there is so much more to this little plastic circle! This "circle of control" can transform confidence and it becomes our symbol for remembering that while we can't control lots of things in life, we can control how we respond, and that is empowering! We begin the week with each girl making and decorating their very own hula hoop which they will take home with them at the end of the week. Besides learning the "normal" way of hooping around the waist, the girls will also learn lots of really fun, cool tricks that will bring them joy, positivity, strength, coordination, and guaranteed smiles.
8
Healthy Snacks
Each day, the girls will be preparing (from scratch!) a healthy snack and we will talk about the importance of fueling our bodies with good food that builds energy, stamina and brain power! Some of their favorites include homemade hummus and cut up veggies, smoothies, freshly made sunflower seed butter with apples, and fruit juice popsicles. Banana ice cream made from just bananas will be our final treat on the last day! (snacks are gluten and dairy free)
A boost in your child's self-confidence Awareness of a new way of looking at life Safe space to share fears and worries Calm and nurturing environment Empowering arts and crafts Tools for taming anxiety Try new, healthy foods Individual attention Change in mindset Physical activity Personal growth
Peace
What NOT to Expect
No youth lead counselors (adult in charge)
Not a cure for anxiety or other disorders
Not therapeutic counseling
No getting lost in the crowd
No idle time or boredom
No religious affiliation
No inside time
No screens!
No chaos
Guarantee Your Spot Today! Choose Your Week Below.
Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate before or after care at this time.
What will we need to bring each day?
Each day, your child should bring a (full) water bottle (enough for the whole day), good walking/hiking shoes, sunscreen (apply prior to camp), lunch, snack, a hat, change of clothes is recommended too in case we get wet or muddy.
How many girls are in each session?
Camps are limited to ten participants. There will also be a junior camp counselor, plus Karen's daughter.
What are the allowed ages and hours?
Empower UP! Camp is designed for girls ages 7-12 (going into grades 2nd-7th). Camp is held Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Are boys allowed to come?
Empower UP! Camp is designed specifically for girls. This allows the girls a safe place where they can share their thoughts, fears, worries, etc. Please watch www.enlightened-empowerment.com for future programs and workshops designed for boys.
Do you offer scholarships?
I was able to offer a full scholarship in 2023, but I don't currently have any scholarship funds yet for 2024. If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, you may do so through Venmo (@karenkane7 #8846). {Other payment options are available too.} Please contact me if you are interested in supporting a young girl to attend in 2024. Thank you for considering it! It was such a blessing to be able to offer it last year!
Where is the camp held? Is it outside or inside?
We are outside all day for this camp under a large, shaded tent. The camp is held at Karen's personal residence in Fall City, WA, adjacent to the Preston-Fall City trail. Address will be provided upon registration.
Will lunch be provided?
Lunch will not be provided. Your child will need to bring a healthy lunch and possibly a snack. We will be making a snack each morning, but we will be active and they can get hungry!
Will there be any animals?
We are an animal-loving family! We have two (outdoor) cats, a German Shepherd (who will be kenneled in the house), chickens, and a few fish in a small pond. The chickens will be contained within a separate fenced-in area, but if the girls want to see them that is definitely a possibility!
How long has this camp been in operation?
The Empower UP! Camp for girls has been in operation since 2018, and has grown each year.
How many counselors are present?
There will be one adult (Karen) and one junior counselor (teen) present during camp hours. Our teen counselors are girls who have attended camp in the past and have demonstrated responsibility and leadership capabilities.
What is your refund policy?
Full refunds, less a $25 handling fee, will be provided if at least two weeks advance notice is provided.
Additional questions?
If you have any other questions, please feel free to email Karen directly.
