Salinas Regional Soccer Complex launches a first-ever free girls summer camp.

Girls ages 13-16 can sign up for the new, free Girls Empowerment Summer Camp in Salinas, which will combine sports and mentorship and runs from July 13-17.

This week-long camp aims to nurture the next generation of female leaders through a blend of sports, leadership development and team-building activities as part of a partnership between the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and Girls Inc. of the Central Coast, according to Mayra Gomez, director of business revenue and partnerships at the Soccer Complex.

Girls Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring all girls to be "strong, smart, and bold" through mentorship, research-informed programs and advocacy.

“One of the pillars of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is to empower women,” Gomez says.

“Girls ages 15-16 will be learning how to mentor and help the younger generation and 13-14 girls will be learning everything about the changes a woman goes through and continue to develop their confidence and sports quality,” she adds.

She says many girls drop out of sports around the age of 13 because that's when puberty normally hits. Through the camp they will also learn how to use feminine hygiene products.

“In our community there is a lot of lack of resources, from not being able to get a sports bra to not being able to understand how a tampon works or even a pad, or even being able to afford a slider,” Gomez says. (Sliders an athletic compression short with built-in, leakproof period protection.)

Gomez shares her own story of getting her period at 15, as a sophomore in high school, during a cross-country race. Unsure of what to do or say, she says she told her coach she couldn’t run that day; her coach reached into a fanny pack and handed Gomez a tampon. “I came out and I ran the meet,” Gomez remembers.

“As a Latina we are not accustomed to these kinds of things. And as a woman athlete, it's one of the greatest blessings that could have been introduced to me.”

Up to 60 girls can enroll in the camp which will bring in guests from Natividad hospital to teach participants about rehabilitation, and Girls Inc. to focus on health.

“It's physical training and it's a unique environment where they can build confidence, resilience and leadership on and off the soccer field,” Gomez says. 

The camp runs 8am-4pm Monday-Friday, July 13-17, at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex. More information and registration is available online.