Our History
Empowering Girls Through Music, Mentorship, and the Arts Since 2012
Amplify began in 2012 as a small but mighty summer day camp and after-school program in Santa Barbara. What started as a local space for girls to explore their creativity has since grown into a nationally recognized, award-winning organization—serving over 15,000 youth, raising more than $2 million in scholarships, and building a passionate, lifelong community of girls who know their voices matter. In 2014, Amplify launched its first full-season sleep away camp at Ojai Valley School, where it thrived for a decade before finding its current home just up the road at Besant Hill School in the heart of the Ojai Mountains. Nestled on 500 acres of serene, inspiring nature, this campus is where girls from around the world come to unplug, make lifelong friends, and discover what they’re truly capable of.
We’re a proud 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Amplify is funded by national foundations like the Country Music Association Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and California Arts Council, as well as local supporters such as the Santa Barbara Foundation, Hutton Parker Foundation, and the Ventura Community Foundation. We’ve also partnered with major brands including Sonos, Guitar Center, and Zadig & Voltaire, and have collaborated with artists like Billie Eilish and Zella Day. In 2022, Amplify was honored by the California State Senate for creating measurable, positive change in youth development and the broader community.
What Makes Amplify Different
Amplify isn’t just a camp—it’s a mentorship-based, confidence-building launchpad for girls who are ready to grow. Our staff are more than counselors or teachers; they’re trained mentors who build meaningful relationships with youth and support them through real challenges.Our “secret sauce”? It’s the culture. We actively address gossip, cliques, and social pressure in ways schools often can’t. We help girls lead with kindness, support each other, and build the skills to be inclusive, empowered leaders. Amplify is a place where everyone is encouraged to be fully themselves, and where community is built intentionally—every day.
This environment creates incredible outcomes:
✅ 96% of youth reported gaining respect for peers
✅ 92% developed skills they believe will help in future careers
✅ 88% felt safe to express themselves
✅ 85% left feeling better about themselves and their futures
✅ 86% said they discovered they could do things they never thought they could
Stories That Stick With Us
We measure success in the big wins—and in the small moments that change lives.
Like Gracie, who learned to play bass at Amplify when she was 8 years old. She’s now our year-round social media manager and a bass instructor during camp, after spending 12 years growing through every level of our program. Gracie originally planned to study engineering at UC Davis, but her passion for digital marketing—discovered through her Amplify experience—led her to change her major and pursue a new path. She attributes her confidence to make that shift to the mentorship and hands-on learning she received at Amplify. And then there’s Tessa, one of our first-ever campers. She was quiet, almost non-verbal, and never dreamed she’d sing in front of anyone—until her band’s vocalist fell ill and she was invited to try. With a little encouragement (and a karaoke version of “Rolling in the Deep”), she took the mic, closed her eyes, and sang. When she opened them, there were tears in her eyes as she whispered, “I’ve never heard my voice amplified before.” The next day, she performed lead vocals and keys at the showcase in front of the entire camp—her first time ever. These are the moments that drive us.
Built to Stay Small, So We Can Go Deep
Unlike many organizations, Amplify has no plans to scale wide. We remain committed to being a mid-sized nonprofit so we can protect what makes us special:
- 1:2 staff-to-youth ratio
- Deep mentorship and individualized attention
- An environment that feels like home
We’re currently working to build a scholarship endowment to ensure our programs remain accessible to all youth—regardless of financial background.
Leadership With Purpose
Amplify was founded by Jen Baron, a musician, youth mentor, and nonprofit leader with over 25 years of experience in youth development. Jen continues to guide the organization with a deep belief in the transformative power of creativity, mentorship, and belonging.
Where Our Girls Go Next
Our alumni have gone on to attend top-tier institutions including Juilliard, Berklee College of Music, Columbia University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and NYU. They’re pursuing careers in everything from music and arts education to engineering, marketing, and social entrepreneurship—with the confidence to create their own path.At Amplify, we don’t just teach music or art. We create space for girls to discover who they are—and who they’re becoming. 🎸 Come for the music. Stay for the mentorship. Leave with a whole new sense of what’s possible.
