This summer Girls to Women is excited to partner with the California Family Foundation to present "Back to Basics: Art Is Life" a a 4-week arts based camp for girls that encourages them to unplug, connect and express. The camp will take place in Belle Haven (Menlo Park, CA) June 16 - July 11, 2025 and will feature a  vibrant blend of visual arts, mentorship, wellness and community building-- all rooted in the belief that art is life. 
The 2025 theme, “Back to Basics – Art is Life,” centers on returning to the creative fundamentals that fuel imagination and healing. Through hands-on artmaking and meaningful connection, participants will engage in a journey of self-expression, personal growth, and collective joy.
Last year, in the summer of 2024, Girls to Women partnered with the Meta Community Hub in Menlo Park to host a dynamic program focused on the intersection of technology and art. Girls explored animation, engineering, photography, typography, solar power, and sustainability through storytelling and design. They used a variety of tools—from Apple computers and solar panels to sewing machines and D/C motors—while also practicing handcrafts like collage, vision boards, and zine making.

This STEAM-centered curriculum was designed to promote critical thinking, creativity, and innovation, while also addressing barriers that prevent women of color from entering Silicon Valley’s tech industry. By providing access to both digital platforms and traditional arts, Girls to Women created an empowering space for exploration and growth.

As we move forward in 2025, our focus shifts to reconnecting with the core elements of creativity. This year's program "Back to Basics: Art Is Life" will emphasize visual and performing arts, mentorship, and emotional expression, while continuing to uplift the voices, experiences, and brilliance of the girls we serve.

​Our "Back to Basics: Art Is Life" camp experience emphasizes the importance of returning to core creative practices, showcasing how art can serve as a powerful tool for self-expression, healing and connection.