2019 Empower Camp Staff
Sarah Bachwitz, Director
Emma, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
Sarah Bachwitz, Director
“There will always be those voices in your head that tell you - I can’t, I’m not good enough, I don’t deserve the best - and these voices, if you allow them, can beat you up. This darkness, if you allow it, can chew you up and spit you out. The trick to conquering these voices is to put one foot in front of the other - both figuratively and literally - every single day. It’s not easy to lead an Empowered Life. It takes work, grit, persistence and self-love. It takes forgiveness, kindness and a smile. Empower Camp is about conquering darkness and focusing on the future. You have the power to create the life you’ve always imagined...ignite your inner power!”
Maria, Camp Counselor
Emma, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
Sarah Bachwitz, Director
“I find inspiration in many of the strong women around me. However, my older sister has been my longest and closest role model because of her positive spirit and perseverance. My advice to young women is: Believe you can and you will!”
Emma, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
Emma, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
Emma, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
"Growing up I felt that it was taught to me to be afraid of being alone (ultimately I should aspire to marry someone and start a family- etc. etc. etc.) But you don't know the things that you can do for yourself until you have no other option but do things for yourself- and that has been such an empowering realization for me!"
Allie, Camp Counselor
Melissa, Chaos Coordinator
Emma, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
"Don’t focus on the big picture so much. Pay attention to the little things; they’re what’s going to bring you joy."
Claire, Camp Counselor
Melissa, Chaos Coordinator
Melissa, Chaos Coordinator
"Always be positive and have an open mind to new experiences. Even the events/activities your parents make you go to - look at the bright side - who can you meet, who can you help, what can you learn."
Melissa, Chaos Coordinator
Melissa, Chaos Coordinator
Melissa, Chaos Coordinator
“I’m motivated to help young women listen to their inner voice and speak up for themselves.”
2019 Empower Camp Staff
Cate aka “Jelly”, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
Cate aka “Jelly”, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
Cate aka “Jelly”, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
"If I could give myself advice as a teen, I would tell myself that everything is going to be okay in the end. I spent a lot of time worrying about how things would turn out when I had no control over them."
Cecilia, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
Cate aka “Jelly”, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
Cate aka “Jelly”, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
“It is okay to fail! As long as you take the opportunity to learn and grow."
Eileen, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
Cate aka “Jelly”, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
Eileen, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
”When I was a teen, camp was the best times for me to get together with my girlfriends and talk about our lives. That feeling of comfort and “camp family” is exactly what I want these campers to experience too!“
Cindy, Camp Counselor
Kaylee, Camp Counselor
Eileen, Camp Counselor & Trek Staff
"Here's what I wish I could have told myself as a teen: I wish I could have told myself that I was not fat in any sense of the word and that boys who tease you don’t like you, they’re just rude. I wish I could have shown myself that I was beautiful, smart, and worthy of respect both from my peers and my family members. I wish that I could have told myself that I was not selfish or a brat or any of those hurtful things that people have said just because they were struggling with something themselves. It was never about my character, it was about what they were going through. Lastly I would have told myself that I am worthy of love just how I am, that I don’t need to change myself for any person."
Kaylee, Camp Counselor
Kaylee, Camp Counselor
Kaylee, Camp Counselor
“Keep up the hard work! It really will all pay off, and everything gets so much better than it is now!"
Amy S., Camp Counselor
Kaylee, Camp Counselor
Kaylee, Camp Counselor
“Don't be so hard on yourself. Do your best, but don't worry about being perfect - no one is. Have fun, and love without fear."
2019 Empower Camp Staff
Amy D., Camp Counselor
“Don't take life for granted- appreciate the moments with those you care about and always chose adventure when possible."
2019 Empower Camp Staff
Thi, Camp Counselor
Pam, Food Management
Pam, Food Management
“If I could give advice to myself as a teen, it would be this: No one's looking at you... you're judging yourself way harder than anyone else is."
Pam, Food Management
Pam, Food Management
Pam, Food Management
"I always thought that everyone was looking at me or cared what I was doing and they didn't! Enjoy everything more. Be. Create. Explore."
Katie, Camp Counselor
Pam, Food Management
Angela, Camp Counselor
“Everything will be ok. Don't rush in to a major in college, let yourself grow and find yourself. Don't take things so seriously."
Angela, Camp Counselor
Angela, Camp Counselor
"Don't listen to anyone who makes you feel negatively about yourself!"
Tyana, Camp Counselor
Tyana, Camp Counselor
"YOU ARE B.E.A.UTIFUL! Love every part of youreself. You are stronger than you think. And you are right, you are not supposed to be where you are...greatness is waiting. One day they are going to want to eat your dust, Girl!"
2019 Empower Camp Staff
Kerry, Camp Counselor
Mary Jane, Support Staff
Mary Jane, Support Staff
"I wish I could tell my younger self to learn to listen and trust myself when it comes to making decisions. I don’t have to rush a decision, take the time to review and map out each possible outcome and weigh the pros and cons. While every decision won’t be a win it will be a learning/teaching point for myself."
Mary Jane, Support Staff
Mary Jane, Support Staff
Mary Jane, Support Staff
“Listen to Your Parents, Teachers and Always do Your ... Maximum ... Very Best!"
Laura, Support Staff
Brenda, Support Staff
Brenda, Support Staff
"My Mom is my role model! She's ALWAYS been my biggest cheerleader, teaching me to first love myself, be KIND (treat others as you would want them to treat you), and EMPOWERING me with the mindset that I can do, be or have anything I want. She's always been a great example of never stopping, standing still and has always embraced change. She had this saying..."There's no time to cry, get up, dust yourself off and keep moving forward. SHE's AMAZING!"
Brenda, Support Staff
Brenda, Support Staff
Brenda, Support Staff
“I would tell myself not to be so hard on me. I went through a period of time in my young years where I thought that I needed to be good at everything. As I matured, I realized that it’s okay to be “okay” at something as long as I am giving it my all. My belief that being good at everything meant I had confidence, but I quickly realized true confidence came from within and the respect for my soul.”