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It is the mission at Rakad Dance Camp to share the love of Jesus and empower girls through the art of joyful movement. |
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We see Jesus moving in the young girls and women throughout the world. We believe that through praising God with dance we become part of the movement. |
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The Beginning (2009) Rakad Dance Camp was born from a dream. Our founder and Executive Director, Leslie Oxford, was just a passionate 17 year old, who wanted to share her love of dance with the next generation. Our first camp took place at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in the summer of 2009, and with just nine participants, it exceeded all expectations and set the stage for what was to come. |
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The Early Years (2010-2012) Building on our initial success, we embraced the challenges and joys of the early years, hosting one camp at a time. In 2010, we introduced our first Christmas Camp, and in 2011, our mission took us to Guatemala, where we used dance to uplift girls, transcending language barriers. The early years were tricky, but they were filled with so much love and creativity. |
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The Years of Growth (2013-2016) During this period, our camp flourished, growing from 30 campers to more than 80 campers! We recognized the need for scholarships and accommodations, ensuring dance was accessible to every girl. We continued our beloved Christmas Camps and our impactful mission trips to Guatemala. These years were were complicated, and rewarding; they laid the groundwork for even more growth. |
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The Next Generation (2017-2019) This era tested our resilience as many original leaders and volunteers moved on. However, a new generation of enthusiastic teens and young adults stepped up, strengthening our community. Our camper retention soared to 85%, with many new participants being the younger siblings and daughters of former campers, leaders, and volunteers. We made it 10 years, and the torch was passed. |
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The Covid Years (2020-2021) The pandemic posed significant challenges, but we adapted by launching a Camp-In-A-Bag program in 2020 to keep our campers safe. By 2021, we were thrilled to return to in-person dancing with a modified program. These years also allowed us the time to take a BIG leap of faith. Rakad Dance Camp becoming a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit in September 2021! Despite the darkness and uncertainty of this time, there was new light shining on our next steps. |
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A New Beginning (2022-Present) Today, Rakad Dance Camp is focused on growth and community outreach in Jacksonville. We are excited about the new opportunities ahead as we continue to empower girls and make a meaningful impact in Jacksonville (and Guatemala, too). Take a Leap of Faith with us as we embark on this exciting new chapter! |
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