GREEN COVE SPRINGS- At Rakad Dance Camp, it's all about creating a safe space. One for young girls to be authentically and unapologetically themselves. "We create a safe place for the girls to …
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GREEN COVE SPRINGS- At Rakad Dance Camp, it's all about creating a safe space.
One for young girls to be authentically and unapologetically themselves.
"We create a safe place for the girls to express themselves and learn how to dance. And learn how to move and have confidence in that movement," said Leslie Oxford.
Oxford is the founder and executive director of the summer camp, which she began at just 17 years old. Back in 2009, Oxford was fresh out of Orange Park High and wanted to find way to help girls at her church- St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Jacksonville.
From there it sparked into something even greater. A successful summer camp that started off with only 10 participants, she said it has grown to become a nonprofit and host around 70 campers. Because they believe in everyone having a chance to participate, she said about 80% of campers are admitted on scholarship.
Oxford hosted her first session in Clay County at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Green Cove Springs.
The camp's mission: to teach girls, ages 5 to 12, the joy of movement. Oxford said that in Hebrew, Rakad means "to leap or dance with joy." She said the camp aims to share the love of Jesus through movement and prepare future leaders.
Whether you're an experienced dancer or just getting started, Oxford said the camp is for all abilities.
"I truly believe that everyone knows how to dance innately," she said. "We've had campers with different abilities come in. We've had campers in wheelchairs. We've had campers who have Down-Syndrome."
The three-day mini camp culminated into a final showcase on Wednesday, June 25, allowing the girls to showcase all that they had worked on. Taking inspiration from her 22-plus years in dance, she said a lot of the influences stem from jazz, ballet and modern styles.
"I've taken the things that I loved from dance class, and I tried to reiterate that without making it too strict," she said.
But at Rakad, it's not just about following the right steps, but being self-assured, and confident in what you're doing.
For Oxford, she said she's teaching a new generation of leaders. You see it in not only the campers, but her teen interns and volunteers who are always there to help.
"I like to empower my teenagers that are helping. They help with the choreography, they help with running the small groups," she said. "I give them a lot of autonomy in their choices that they're making."
Board President Releia Warren said her daughter Phenix, now an intern, began attending the camp when she was young girl. Warren said it helped bring her out of her shell and find herself. She's forever grateful for that.
"You're vulnerable when your dancing, and it takes a lot of confidence just to dance. But when you're leading someone in dancing, that's a whole [other] level that you have to be self-assured and know that you can do it," Oxford said.
Going back to her roots was a full circle moment for Oxford. And she's hoping to bring more to Clay, recreating the bonds, atmosphere and retention that have excelled in Jacksonville.
With the help of generous grants from The Community Foundation and the Women's Giving Alliance, she said her dreams are ever-growing. And the future is endless.
