Rock 'n' Roll Will Never Die

[March 22nd, 2006] With Portland's renowned Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls holding its winter showcase this week, organizers say the camp is thriving despite the messy departure last year of its founder.

On the eve of the upcoming showcase (8:30 pm Friday at Nocturnal, 1800 E Burnside St.) for girls in the camp's year-round after-school program, the long-term future also looks bright, says interim camp director Paul Lipscomb, former interim director at the Portland Gay Men's Chorus.

Lipscomb expects twice the camp's usual number of 150 participants ages 10-18 this summer, with the addition of a second session in August.

Camp board member Stacy Chamberlain adds that the 6-year-old camp "hasn't had any volunteers leave" since founder Misty McElroy resigned as executive director last November, citing pressure from the camp board (see "Rock Camp Blues," WW, Nov. 30, 2005).

In fact, Chamberlain says some volunteers who had stopped participating during McElroy's tenure have returned. Lipscomb says that's perhaps because the camp is "better organized and less likely to alienate volunteers." Meanwhile, the search continues for a permanent director.

So what's new in the dispute between McElroy and the board, which denied pressuring McElroy to step down and said it repeatedly asked her for financial documents she never produced?

Lipscomb says the board of directors has not resolved its differences with McElroy over the ownership of some equipment, but has no plans to sue McElroy and has received no news from McElroy about any legal action against the camp.

McElroy did not respond to WW's questions about her current activities or her relationship with the camp. Portland lawyer Joseph Mabe confirmed that he is still McElroy's attorney but declined to comment on whether she is planning any lawsuit against the camp.

McElroy now has a website (www.rockpowerforgirls.org) inviting all past Rock 'n' Roll camp participants to take part in a reunion/kickoff at the end of May for her new venture, Rock Power for Girls.

The website says Rock Power "exists to demonstrate McElroy's commitment to the empowerment of girls while the legal status of her original organization, Rock and Roll Camp for Girls is determined." It also describes McElroy's plans to expand her workshops nationwide.