Empowerment Programs
Five unforgettable days of friendship and self
“Flourish Education and Mentorship Programming ended up helping me through emotions that I didn’t know I needed help with. And it wasn’t in a sudden way like just addressing it. It was through time and being in touch with myself.”
About our FREE Youth Empowerment Programs:
2026 Summer Camp Applications will open at the end of April!
Thanks to the growing financial support of our community and our deep commitment to eliminate financial barriers to participation, all of our Empowerment Programs are offered free of charge. These five-day, in person “camps” are designed for girls and gender-diverse youth ages 10-14 and take place over Spring Break and Summer Break.
Our Empowerment Programs are hosted in partnership with local Community Centres and organizations across the Lower Mainland. See below for current locations.
We offer 4 different program themes named after the birds of the Pacific Northwest, each exploring different concepts related to young womanhood/adulthood. In every program, learning is balanced with a daily dose of nature time, games and relevant crafts for each program.
A very unique component of our Empowerment Programs is our adult connection time on Friday afternoons where we invite one special adult to join us to immerse themselves in our program experience with their child. We recognize this is not always possible and will always ensure every child feels supported.
Our Approach:
In all Flourish programs, we create a space of radical acceptance for girls and gender-diverse youth. We celebrate the ways we are both unique from each other and unified in our shared experiences and concerns. Participants are supported to explore the joys and challenges that come with growing up in a fun, judgement-free environment while learning skills such as leadership, communication, and self-trust.
Our programs are LGBTQ2SIAP+ inclusive and we warmly welcome gender-diverse youth.
How to Apply:
In an effort to promote accessibility, our programs are By Application and are NOT first come first served. Approximately 2-3 months prior to each program season, we will open applications here on our website. Our application process is thorough and includes questions about participation interests, demographics and personal needs. Applications are reviewed by an internal committee and we do our best to build safe and supportive cohorts for our youth and Program Facilitators, based on our values and programming priorities.
As interest in our programs grows, we will do our best to accommodate as many youth as possible. However, given the nature of our work, it is important to keep our group sizes small (maximum 12 youth per program). If we cannot accommodate everyone, we will do our best to make space available in an alternate program.
Your Commitment:
Our programs are in high demand. We kindly ask that you consider your application seriously and remain committed to attending should a space be offered to your child. This includes daily punctuality, consistent attendance and adhering to our cancellation policy.
Flourish Education and Mentorship Society is a registered not-for-profit charity. If your family is able, we warmly welcome donations to help sustain and expand this work. If you are not able to give at this time, your child will absolutely not be excluded from participating.
Empowerment Program Themes
Our programs are named after birds of the Pacific Northwest to honour their relevance and symbolism to the Coast Salish peoples on whose unceded land we base our operations. We currently offer two themes for youth ages 10-12 and two themes for 12-14. Youth are welcome to join for one theme and return for another theme another season. There are no prerequisites to any of the programs.
For 10-12 Year Olds:
Hummingbird: Hummingbirds are messengers of joy, friendship, playfulness and beauty.
- Examining stereotypes and body positivity
- Navigating friendship and power dynamics
- Creating a culture of dignity and respect for all
Kingfisher: Kingfisher birds symbolize right timing, moving forward in life and abundance.
- Physical developments and emotional shifts
- The diversity of anatomy in different bodies (female, male, intersex)
- An in-depth look at menstruation
For 12- 14 Year Olds:
Blue Heron: Blue herons represent patience, elegance and grace.
- A deep dive into media’s portrayal of the female form
- Seeing the real beauty in diversity
- Creating new media that reflects body love and positivity
Owl: Owls teach us about intuition and wisdom, foresight and sacred knowledge.
- Gender identity, sexuality and attraction
- A model for healthy intimate relationships that includes values, emotions, knowledge, the body and communication
- Consent, boundaries, self- and shared pleasure
- Safety: sexting and pornography
Next Programs
Ages 10-12
SUMMER CAMP APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN AT THE END OF APRIL
Hummingbird Camp
Dates: March 16-20, 2026
Time: 9am-3pm
Location: West Point Grey Community Centre, 4397 W 2nd Ave, Vancouver
Cost: $0
Mentor: Abi Franceschetti
Kingfisher Camp
Dates: March 23-27, 2026
Time: 9am-3pm
Location: West Point Grey Community Centre, 4397 W 2nd Ave, Vancouver
Cost: $0
Mentor: Abi Franceschetti
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SPRING 2026:
Registration is By Application (not first come first served). Space is limited and registration will be confirmed based on group size, cohesion, readiness and staffing. All participants are expected to commit to attending the full five days of camp (barring extenuating circumstances to encompass any additional challenges for families).
Given our camps are free, please read our clear cancellation policy.
We acknowledge the financial support of the province of British Columbia.
“She loved it from beginning to end and came home excited and bubbling everyday. She felt comfortable and included which is rare for her in groups. This is a testament to the accepting and empowering atmosphere of Flourish Education and Mentorship Society”