Girls in Government find their voices

Last week, a group of middle school girls got a taste of Cathlamet history in a day camp called Girls in Government (GIG). The purpose of GIG is to help young women to find their personal voice. For one week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the 10 girls learned what it is to be a young woman in the world.

The second annual camp, sponsored by the Wahkiakum Community Foundation takes place at the Julia Butler-Hansen house in Cathlamet. Over the course of the week, the group of seventh and eighth graders learned things from the history of early Cathlamet, to how to properly set a table.

As a special treat June 18, the girls traveled to Olympia to the House of Representatives to see where Julia worked. They also visited the Washington archive center, the Washington State History Museum, and enjoyed lunch at a nearby deli.

In order to be considered for the camp, each girl wrote an essay describing her interests and why she wanted to come. Thanks to an anonymous donation, house director Kayrene Gilbertsen said, this year and next year the $25 fee has been covered for girls who are interested in attending.

While at camp, the girls pay for nothing. At the conclusion of camp, they received the book, “A is for Abigail,” by Lynne Cheney, as well as some other surprises. Lunch and snacks were included.

The purpose of the camp is to show the girls that anything is possible. Wahkiakum Community Foundation President Bonnie Linquist said it is their goal to see the girls break out of their molds and be free.

“It’s about empowering girls to know that whatever they want to do, they can do,” she said.

The girls ages 12 and 13 said they didn’t mind sacrificing their first week of summer vacation. Hanna Gilbertsen, who is visiting her grandmother in Cathlamet, said she was really happy to be at the camp.

“We went to Olympia!" she explained. "I’ve never been to the capital before.”

Overall, the girls said they would recommend the camp to their friends, “As long as they are willing to give up their week,” Chelsea Paulsen said.

Camper Brittany Martin agreed. “This camp is like, a really good idea. It really does open peoples' eyes to who Julia Butler-Hansen was and what she did.”

David Hansen, only son of Julia Butler-Hansen, said he was thrilled with the program.

“I think it is a great opportunity for the girls to be exposed to developing leadership and other skills. learning things they may not be able to learn otherwise,” he said.

Linquist said while the next camp hasn’t been planned yet, it will happen. She and Gilbertsen will need to discuss what worked and what didn’t and build from that.

“We definitely want to do it again next year,” she said.