ABOUT CAMP GLOW
What is Camp GLOW?
Camp Girls and Guys Leading Our World (GLOW) brings together eighty-eight Namibian learners, between the ages of 13 and 18, from throughout the country who have been identified by their teachers and community volunteers as having extraordinary leadership potential. These learners get to participate in an 8-day camp during school holiday where they learn about gender awareness, promote self-confidence, explore future career choices, fight the AIDS epidemic, develop leadership skills, meet Namibians from all over the country, and HAVE FUN!
Camp GLOW Videos
Who attends Camp GLOW?
Eighty-eight exceptional Namibian learners, between the ages of 13 and 18, from throughout the country participate in Camp GLOW. The majority of these learners are from rural communities and would not otherwise have the opportunity to travel to their country's capital. Many are orphans or vulnerable children and many have dealt directly with extreme hardship due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, poverty, disabilities, malnourishment and natural disasters yet still stand out as leaders in their communities and schools. Final selection for participation in Camp GLOW is based on a competitive essay competition in which applicants explore what a leader is to them and how they plan to achieve their future goals.
In addition to the eighty-eight learners, sixteen out-of-school youth will be selected on a similarly competitive basis to serve as camp facilitators. These young people are recommended by local community leaders and volunteers and are selected for the role based on their applications, command of English, leadership potential and group interaction as evaluated during an intensive training session held prior to camp.
Many of these young people, both facilitators and campers, may never have another chance to work with Namibians of other cultures, explore their leadership potential, or interact with successful Namibian professionals on a one-on-one basis. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for them!
In addition to the eighty-eight learners, sixteen out-of-school youth will be selected on a similarly competitive basis to serve as camp facilitators. These young people are recommended by local community leaders and volunteers and are selected for the role based on their applications, command of English, leadership potential and group interaction as evaluated during an intensive training session held prior to camp.
Many of these young people, both facilitators and campers, may never have another chance to work with Namibians of other cultures, explore their leadership potential, or interact with successful Namibian professionals on a one-on-one basis. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for them!
What do the campers DO at Camp GLOW?
The content of Camp GLOW has been developed by Peace Corps Namibia’s Gender Awareness in Namibia (GAIN) committee in collaboration with qualified professionals from organizations such as EngenderHealth and SCORE Namibia.
The program includes:
The program includes:
- Character Building activities - the learners participate in activities to learn and think about leadership characteristics and stereotypes
- Camp Olympics - team-building activities and friendly fun competition!
- Gender awareness activities - the learners explore the difference between sex and gender and the role that ideas of gender play in their everyday lives
- HIV/AIDS Day - an entire day of camp is devoted to exploring the impact of HIV/AIDS on Namibia, which has the 7th highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world
- Leadership Day - campers participate in activities to encourage them to think about what it means to be a good leader and how they can bring home what they've learned at camp
- Future Day - thinking about campers' futures (camp includes a career panel and tours throughout Windhoek to Parliament, University of Namibia, etc.)
How is Camp GLOW funded?
There is no cost for the campers attending Camp GLOW. All food, accommodation, transportation and activities are provided by FAWENA and the GAIN committee with help from generous donors. Camp GLOW is entirely staffed by volunteers (Peace Corps Volunteers and Namibian facilitators) and many of our guest speakers graciously donate their time.
The remaining costs, therefore, include: accommodation, stationaries and materials, meals & tea breaks, transportation, and administrative expenses. In addition to monetary contributions, Camp GLOW accepts in-kind donations of supplies that are integral to the success of the camp such as food, water bottles, t-shirts, and stationary.
The remaining costs, therefore, include: accommodation, stationaries and materials, meals & tea breaks, transportation, and administrative expenses. In addition to monetary contributions, Camp GLOW accepts in-kind donations of supplies that are integral to the success of the camp such as food, water bottles, t-shirts, and stationary.
Why help Camp GLOW?
The benefits of empowering youth and striving for gender equality in a developing country like Namibia is unmistakable. The lives of the kids here in Namibia are often very difficult and the focus is often daily survival rather than future success. As a result of this, many of the country’s smartest kids have not had opportunities that other youth have been privileged to experience that would benefit them in the future.
A contribution in any amount to the funding of Camp GLOW will help to make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity a reality for underprivileged Namibian youth. So please consider giving whatever you can.
For more information about you how can help support Camp GLOW, please visit our Support Us page and consider donating through our easy online donation process.
A contribution in any amount to the funding of Camp GLOW will help to make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity a reality for underprivileged Namibian youth. So please consider giving whatever you can.
For more information about you how can help support Camp GLOW, please visit our Support Us page and consider donating through our easy online donation process.