13th Annual Her Power! Event
July 25th – July 28th
Her Power 2024 Registration-
Her Power! will be held at Camp Fish Tales (Pinconning, MI).
Her Power! works directly with middle school and high school girls (Cis, Trans, and non-binary) with disabilities at an event designed to promote critical thinking about society’s messages, eliminate shame, develop leadership skills and encourage self-acceptance. We aim to be fully inclusive of all types of disabilities (including invisible disabilities), by providing personal attendant services, a 24-hour nurse, and inclusive menus for people with medical/religious dietary needs. Our staff are all disabled women, trauma-informed, and undergo full background checks each year.
Register today!
MDRC can not confirm registration until you have completed the registration form and we have confirmed payment or scholarship.
If you have any questions about Her Power! please reach out to us. We are happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Her Power!
We receive a lot of messages, some from the media and some from the adults in our lives, about how we are supposed to act as disabled wom*n, who we are supposed to be, and what we are supposed to look like. Together we will CHALLENGE it all. As a group, we will undo stereotypes and shatter myths about what it means to be a girl with a disability.
At this interactive four-day overnight event, we will use art-based activities to learn from each other and how to teach the world how we see ourselves.
- You will find your POWER.
- You will celebrate your disability PRIDE.
- You will use your VOICE.
Her Power! works directly with girls with disabilities through a unique, four-day event designed to promote critical thinking about society’s messages, eliminate shame, develop leadership skills and encourage self-acceptance. This event is built on the best practices of the disability justice community and emerging research in female development, and goes beyond self-esteem programming to provide a venue for real self-empowerment. Learn more about Her Power! on our homepage.
What will we be doing?
We will start off the event by getting to know each other and will participate in several facilitated, interactive, and art-based activities throughout our time together. These activities will focus on what it means to be a teen with a disability.
Together participants will explore topics such as sexism, ableism, and other forms of oppression. How they are featured in the media we consume. Through activities, we will decide what we think about these messages and create our own decisions on what we think it means to be a teen girl with a disability.
We will learn about various forms of assistive technology (AT) and learn how AT can enhance our lives. In addition, there will be time to explore Camp Fish Tales.
We have fun, from the planned activities, speakers, campfires, to Sunday Fun Day (the Paralympics of summer camp games), bunk time, and meals shared. The four days will be packed with fun, smiles, laughter, new friends, creativity, and yummy food. While we do many fun activities, THERE IS NO SWIMMING at Her Power!
How much does it cost?
Her Power! is committed to making sure that cost is never a barrier to participation. Michigan Disability Rights Coalition has established the following suggested registration options for this program. Remember this payment is all-inclusive and pays for your food, lodging, personal care attendants, program costs, T-Shirts, and Art Supplies, and is much higher than the options suggested. Please make checks out to “Her Power” and put “Her Registration” in the memo line.
- Girls that will be paying the fee of the program out of their own money are asked to pay $60
- Families that will be supporting the attendance of a girl are asked to pay $90
- Organizations that will be supporting the attendance of a girl are asked to pay $100
- $100 or more who are able (any payment above $100 is considered a tax-deductible donation)
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition has a fund for girls that need any financial assistance to attend. PLEASE call Theresa Metzmaker at 517-599-4088 if you would like to attend and need help to pay to participate. Her Power! has an “Ayisha Ashford Scholarship” fund.
What should I leave at home?
This weekend will be a time to enjoy the outdoors and try new things.
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC) and Camp Fish Tales are not responsible for these items. Please think carefully before bringing anything that you would be upset to lose. Please no other electronic devices. This does not apply to electronics needed for any accommodations. No cell phone use (including texting) is permitted at camp. If a girl brings a cell phone staff will send it home with a parent/guardian, or it will be collected at check-in and returned at check-out.
What will we eat?
Staff will provide meals and snacks; you do not need to bring money for food. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs (allergies, diet restrictions, etc.). All food for this event is prepared with care in a home kitchen.
Can I make a phone call?
Due to the number of girls at Her Power! Her Pride! Her Voice! and because of the type of community we try to create, girls may not make or receive phone calls unless they are arranged through the facilitators. Phone calls are only permitted if participants are having problems or if the girl needs reassurance from a parent/guardian/family member.
In case of an emergency and you need to contact your daughter/minor please call: Theresa Squires Metzmaker – 517-599-4088
Can my parents/guardians visit?
Parents/Guardians are welcome to tour the camp on opening or closing days. We feel strongly that PARENTS OR FRIENDS SHOULD NOT VISIT during the weekend unless they are needed for personal care that is arranged with the facilitators ahead of time.
What are some of the rules?
NO SMOKING, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, WEAPONS, OR ILLEGAL DRUGS are permitted at Her Power! Her Pride! and girls will be sent home for breaking the rules or for behavior that does not foster a positive, caring, safe environment in the community. Parents/Guardians will be responsible for timely transportation home.
Does Her Power! Provide transportation
Her Power! unfortunately does not have the capacity to provide transportation to participants. If transportation is a barrier Her Power! staff is happy to send out a message to other participants to see if anyone would like to carpool.
Suggested items to bring
The following are a suggested list of items that each participant should bring with them to Her Power
- Assistive Technology
- We encourage all Her Power participants to bring items that encourage independence, and adaptability and assist in providing a quality stay. Items May include:
- Wheelchairs, braces, walkers, body jackets, splints, etc. that are used by the day camper
- Shower chair
- Toileting lids or adaptive toileting equipment
- Hearing aids, extra batteries as applicable
- Bliss board or other adaptive communication device used by the day camper
- Adaptive feeding equipment (scoop bowl, special utensils, etc.)
- Disposable pads if worn by camper having no control of bowel or bladder (enough for stay and extra)
- Bedpan or commode
- Urinals
- Hoyer lift
- Tools that are used to calm or soothe
- Clothing
- We will be using paint, and other art supplies, please know your clothes may get paint on them or get dirty, and pack accordingly. This means don’t bring your favorite new school clothes that you be sad to ruin. Also, remember Michigan weather is very unpredictable!
- Bring clothes for four days, including clothes for both cold and warm weather. Please dress so you will be comfortable!
- Jeans/pants
- Shorts
- T-shirts
- Sweatshirts
- Socks (pack extras)
- Underwear
- Bras
- Pajamas
- Belts
- Clothes that can get wet
- Change of clothes
- Rain jacket, cape, or umbrella
- Gym shoes or walking shoes
- Hat
- Laundry bag
- Raincoat/poncho
- Shower Supplies
- Shower chair, if needed
- Soap (in a container)
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Flip flops for the shower
- Bath towel and washcloth
- Personal Items
- Feminine products
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Comb/brush
- Deodorant
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Sunblock
- Prescription glasses and/or Sunglasses
- Hat & Sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Water Bottle
- Sleeping
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Blanket
- Sheets for a twin bed
- Please bring extra sheets if possibility of bedwetting