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Every girl deserves the chance to become her best self.

The Challenge We're Addressing

The years just before adolescence are some of the most important in a girl’s development. Between the ages of nine and twelve, girls begin forming beliefs about who they are, what they are capable of, and what their futures might hold.

For many Black and Brown girls, this period unfolds amid pressures that come too early—social expectations, stereotypes, and experiences that can quietly undermine confidence. Instead of being allowed the full grace of childhood, many girls are expected to be more mature, more resilient, and more self-sufficient than their peers.

Without intentional support, these pressures can shape how girls see themselves as they enter adolescence.

Girls Empowerment Camp was created to meet this moment. By focusing on resilience during middle childhood, we help girls develop confidence, self-awareness, and the skills they need to navigate challenges and imagine new possibilities for their futures.

The Importance of Middle Childhood

Between the ages of six and twelve, children are actively building the internal foundation that will carry them into adolescence. During this time they begin to:

Develop a stronger sense of competence and self-confidence
Form deeper friendships and peer connections
Build academic confidence and curiosity
Learn how to manage emotions and navigate challenges

Many of the traits that support success later in life—self-discipline, perseverance, problem-solving, and self-awareness—begin taking shape during these years.

The Challenge of Adultification

While middle childhood is a time when confidence and identity begin to take shape, many Black and Brown girls face an additional challenge that researchers call adultification.

Adultification occurs when children are perceived and treated as older, more mature, or more responsible than they actually are. Black girls in particular are often viewed as needing less protection, less nurturing, and less support than other children.

This bias can influence how girls are treated in school and in society. It can appear as:

Higher expectations for emotional maturity
Less patience for mistakes or normal childhood behavior
Disproportionate disciplinary actions in school settings
Stereotypes that frame girls as stronger or more capable of handling adversity than they should have to be

While resilience is an admirable trait, no child should have to carry adult burdens too early.

Why Resilience Matters

We often think of adolescence as the pivotal period in a person’s life. It is the stage when young people begin shaping the direction of their futures. During adolescence, several important developmental changes occur:

Young people begin forming a stronger sense of identity and asking deeper questions about who they are.
Puberty brings significant physical and emotional changes.
Teens begin seeking greater independence and autonomy.
Their ability for abstract thinking and problem-solving grows rapidly.
Peer relationships and social roles become increasingly important.

Because of these shifts, adolescence can set the tone for the years that follow.

But an equally important period comes just before it.