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Camp teaches young girls about the power of politics and civic engagement 

The 2016 election sparked a global movement, bringing millions of women together to advocate for women’s and human rights. At the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., Emily Lawerence and Veronica Burke, two recreation programmers with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, were among the crowd. Inspired by the energy and unity, they created She the People, a non-partisan summer camp for teen girls, aiming to empower future female leaders.

“We didn’t want just a generic leadership camp; we wanted it to focus on politics, civics and government to get more women involved,” says Lawrence.

In the summer of 2017, Lawerence and Burke launched the department’s inaugural She the People camp. During the camp, the girls delved into civics, engaged in hands-on activities and interactive debates, took field trips to the U.S. Capitol and the U.S. Supreme Court, and heard from inspiring guest speakers, such as Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County’s first female county executive. For many of these girls, this was their first exposure to politics and government.

“Prince George’s County is a half an hour away from the heart of American politics and so many of the young people in our county don’t have opportunities to go and see it firsthand, our government leaders in action,” says Lawrence.

Cultivating Civic Engagement

Leah Somerville was 13 years old when her mom signed her up for She the People in 2017. Although she had no prior interest in politics, she approached the camp with an open mind. Little did she know this experience would open the door to a new world for her.

“We went to these different places and were exposed to an essential extension of where I live and where I grew up. I just thought that to me, for lack of better terms, [it] was cool,” says Somerville. “I wanted to do it again, and the more I surrounded myself in these areas, the more motivated I was to continue to learn more and to continue my interest in the world of politics and government.”

Somerville returned to She the People the following year, and this time solidified her aspiration for a career in politics. She said being surrounded by successful women uplifting other women gave her confidence.

“These women, these leaders, are taking a stand in their community. They are advocating for the things they’re passionate about. I thought I can learn from them; I can be where they are,” says Somerville.

Now a rising junior at McDaniel College, Somerville is studying political science and recently completed an internship on Capitol Hill with Senator Chris Van Hollen. She hasn’t forgotten her roots with the She the People and has worked as camp staff since 2021.

“I want to serve my community, I want to help my community,” says Somerville. “I think it’s important that adolescents know what happens in the world. I want to show young girls that politics can be interesting; it’s not just what you see on TV.”

Shaping Bright Futures

Throughout an eight-year period, 73 girls have graduated from She the People. Like Somerville, many have returned for multiple years and are now pursuing degrees in political science, with some even running for office in student government elections.

“All of the participants at theend of the summer really enjoyed it,” says Burke. “Not only did they realize what impact they could make, but they also learned a lot about each other, they built friendships and a sisterhood.”

Burke and Lawerence say watching these girls grow and find their voice has been incredibly rewarding. They always leave camp feeling hopeful and optimistic about their campers’ bright futures. As the political climate in the country evolves, so does the camp, with their sights now set on 2025.

“I hope to see it continue. I am excited to see what the 2024 election will look like and what this camp will look like in 2025 if we were to have the first female president,” says Burke.

Jennifer Munoz is Latino and Media Engagement Specialist at M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County.