We're helping girls get a sense of who they are," said Laura Pepper, educational institute program coordinator for the Girls' Leadership Camp. "A camp like this is important because girls don't have a lot of in-person experiences with an all-around focus and an opportunity to connect their lives to the lives of other girls and get to know them in a meaningful way."

The camp, which is organized by the PA Masonic Youth Foundation, will be held from Sunday, July 20, through Friday, July 25, at the Patton Campus, 1244 Bainbridge Road, Elizabethtown. It is open to girls ages 10 to 14.

This is the third year for the camp, which evolved from a brainstorming session to promote female leadership.

"We want girls to be able to take the lead in their lives, their community and beyond," Pepper said.

Each year's camp has a theme, and this year will be focused on women's history, with a specific daily emphasis. The first day will highlight female role models throughout history. Day two will spotlight leadership qualities. On day three, girls will discuss connections, friendships and social pressures. Day four will focus on courage and resilience, and the camp will wrap up with sessions on aspirations and goals.

Along with sessions where girls can meet and interact with local leaders such as small business owners, campers will enjoy arts and crafts, including creating tie-dye shirts.

"Girls like to sign each other's shirt at the end of the week, sort of like signing a yearbook," Pepper said.

Campers will also have opportunities to use the indoor, heated swimming pool, play games and participate in STEM activities.

Representatives from Samaritan Counseling Center will host mindfulness activities, and campers will learn to make and decorate French pastries with the owner of Elizabethtown-based Valosh Patisserie.

More than 40 girls attended the first year's camp, and while enrollment was down slightly last year, Pepper is optimistic about filling the spaces this year. The camp can accept up to 45 girls, and a few scholarships are available for families in need.

Volunteers are also needed to help with the camp, and people can help out for a day or all week.

About half of the campers return each year, a good sign that the program is making an impact, Pepper said. All of the campers in the past have come from Pennsylvania, but the camp is open to any girls in the age range.

"We want the girls to get to know themselves better and to think about their future," Pepper stated, noting that the target age for the campers is intentional. "This is a great age for girls to begin to get a sense of themselves and what direction they want their lives to go in."

The Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation is headquartered in Elizabethtown. The organization hosts several youth groups for girls, including Job's Daughters, Rainbow for Girls and the Ruth Mitchell Tucker Girls Youth Department.

The Girls' Leadership Camp provides opportunities for girls to learn leadership skills, make friends and have fun, Pepper said.

"Our mission is to serve and advance opportunities for youth, as they are our future leaders," she noted. "We're gently allowing girls to experience a lot of different areas, become informed about their own lives and really connect with other girls in person."

The registration deadline for the camp is Monday, June 30. To learn more or to register, visit https://pmyf.org/girls-leadership-camp.