WMBCTV: Building Confidence, One Camper at a Time at Wonder Girls Summer Camp

The sounds of laughter, teamwork and encouragement are filling the air here at the Wonder Girls USA second annual summer camp for young girls ages 10 to 14 - designed to empower and inspire our future female leaders. The camp may only be in its second year, but organizers say its impact and its reach have already grown.

“The summer program is one week - we are lucky enough that we have the summer camp for three weeks but every week is different,” said Ana Silvelo, Summer Camp Director, Wonder Girls USA.

From self defense classes to friendship bracelet making and journaling, organizers say the wonder girls summer camp provides the young girls with fun activities that can carry over as lessons into everyday life.

“And so we really work hard to have the girls leave in that one week with confidence, learn business skills, be great leaders,” said Ana Silvelo, Summer Camp Director, Wonder Girls USA. “The girls want to be leaders. They want to be a part of something bigger than them and this allows them that opportunity.”

The daily schedule features activities led by counselors who were also once young girls in the program as well as workshops led by guest speakers, community service at local food pantries and daily reflection sessions - along with presentations from successful women in business. 

“Just being a teenage girl, you go through so many of the same things like the same situations so it’s so good to have someone older and have all these amazing women teach you about confidence and how to deal with friendships and how to really build your future to become the best person that you can be,” said Nikalena Iacono, Camp Counselor, Wonder Girls USA.

And while it can be an intimidating experience for the young girls coming into camp not knowing anyone, organizers and camp counselors say the girls always leave with new friends.

“Be fearless,” said Angela Ellis, Camp Counselor, Wonder Girls USA. “It might be an intimidating experience if you don’t know anyone, but you definitely come out with new friends at the end.”

“Yeah, you may be shy at first but once the week is over, you’re just going to be a bubble of sunshine,” said Debbie Ogunbowale, Camp Counselor, Wonder Girls USA.

The campers say it’s the encouragement, the friendships and the sense of belonging that keep them coming back for this annual summer experience.   

“I get to see friends that I met last year and I also see my friends that I met when I was little,” said Payton Pesick, Camper, Wonder Girls USA.

“I love it here and I think all girls should come here because it’s just awesome and it’s an amazing experience with all the activities and everybody is so kind here,” said Ella Nguyen, Camper, Wonder Girls USA.

The Wonder Girls USA Summer Camp runs through August 29th here in Lyndhurst. Organizers say there’s still room to sign up for weeks 2 and 3. This summer camp is just one part of the broader Wonder Girls USA initiative that offers year round empowerment programs for middle school, high school and college girls to learn about confidence, leadership, community and business. For more information or to sign up, visit WonderGirlsUSA.org.