Learning new skills, making new friends and networking without any pressure is what Camp Hoo-Ha strides to do while embracing the nostalgia of childhood camp days.
Organizer of the Kelowna chapter, Joanna Schlosser reached out to the founder of Camp Hoo-Ha, Mel Mckay and brought the event to Kelowna after she about its success in Alberta.
“It’s just so fun,” said Schlosser. “There is something really nostalgic and liberating about the events and the way they are set up.”
Schlosser said the event makes connecting with women easy and is ideal for newcomers to town, women who just want to meet others or women looking to have a good night.
There is always a skill that is learned. The first event was bra fitting and on Feb. 6 it will be a cooking demonstration and Schlosser said a sex-ed class in the works.
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“It’s the relatability aspect, when 100 women in the room are talking about the fact that 90 per cent of them can’t find a bra that fits, they are ‘like wait a minute, I am not alone.’ There is something to be said about that,” said Schlosser. “It’s certainly not to be leaving a group out, it’s the power of the collective female energy.”
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The members of the female-only group create a sense of freedom to express themselves openly and relate with one another with ease.
“It’s a really fun event and a lot of people talk about how they are new to Kelowna and are coming to the event in search of friends. It’s really nice to be able to do that for other people,” said Schlosser.
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The upcoming badge-earning event will be the second hosted in Kelowna since its creation.
The Kelowna chapter outgrew the Innovation Centre space after the first event, which saw 70 women attend. Its Facebook group now has 776 members.
The unique event has grown since it started in September 2017 in Calgary, Alta. It is now in six cities and has over 3,000 members.
“It attracts a wide net of 20-year-old women to 65-year-old women and everything in between,” said Schlosser. “It’s connecting powerful women with other powerful women who will only create great things in our city.”
Tickets are available to the event Feb. 6 at camphooha.com, featuring a cooking demonstration from Chris Shaften, Top Chef Canada competitor and owner of Krafty Kitchen. Camp tickets include dinner, two drinks, a presentation and a badge.
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