Now more than ever, the world needs strong & inspired girls choosing love over fear. And we’ve got a lot we’re up against… just tune into the latest “reality” show, take a stroll down the aisles at a girl’s clothing store, or pick up the latest edition of a teen magazine and you’ll get a taste of what girls are up against every day.

As young girls we have a natural sense of ease about us. We feel free to be who we are without apologies. We radiate love. As we grow, our culture can alter our perception of ourselves and dim our inner light. A major contributor to this change is the thoughtless or unconscious words and messages around us.

From “wink wink” and “eye candy” slogans emblazoned across Abercrombie & Fitch thongs to in-your-face advertising billboards portraying young women in compromising positions, the messages girls get about their bodies, sexuality, and about each other are at best harmful and degrading.

Much of the content on TV and the Internet are negative self-messages aimed at convincing us to consume more, compete with our friends, doubt our bodies and find happiness in things rather than in ourselves. Many of our limiting thought patterns can be attributed to unconsciously adopting negative societal beliefs at certain pivotal moments during childhood.

Psychologists say that we’re born with only two fears: falling and loud noises. This means that every other fear is LEARNED. So, if we want to un-learn this fear and move back to the love we knew as little girls, the first step is to understand the fear-based illusions we’ve learned from the outside world.

Luckily, love is internal and always available, we just have to choose to believe in it again. And we need to collectively practice more love – gratitude, journaling, exercise, meditation and random acts of kindness all help.

But what if we co-create a world where we aren’t bombarded by confusing, fear-based messages? A world where we turn off our phones and TV to have deep conversations from our heart? It’s possible.

ADTC is a company inspired by & created for strong girls.

At American Dance Training Camps, girls have a unique opportunity to shed some of this unnecessary psychological “weight” they’ve accumulated from living in our harsh world. At ADTC, girls find a place where they aren’t bombarded by media images that tell them to be skinnier, wear makeup, and dress for boys. ADTC is a tight-knit, all-girl community where girls feel safe to reconnect with the authentic “selves” so many have difficulty holding on to during the school year.

At ADTC, our summer team is trained to empower girls – to embody, model & teach our sixteen character values, or “manifesto in action.” These values provide support as girls become critical thinkers & leaders – as they create a better world for one another. Learn more about our mission & manifesto here!

We believe that summer is a time of miracles, and we define “miracle” as a shift in perception from fear to love. A miracle can come when you’re one with a movement, the music, or your new friends. But no matter if it comes in a smile, a performance or a kayak, when you feel it, you just know. We think girls need more love – more miracles. Together, let’s help our girls shed some of this unnecessary psychological “weight” so we can be liberated from our fears and get a better picture of our “selves.”

May your Holiday be merry, bright & full of love (“fear-free”)!

xoxo

Lindsey Fadner (ADTC Founder)