VIDEO: Girls Talk About Self-Esteem at Day Camp

While Katy Perry’s “Fireworks” played in the background at Monday, about 30 girls–ranging in ages 7 to 12–absorbed the song’s true meaning: That real beauty comes from the inside.

The day camp was started by Eisenhower High School student Ashley Merkele, 16, International Baccalaureate student Ellie Dara, 16, and Rachel Boofka, 18, as their Girl Scouts Gold Project, one of the highest honors a scout can earn, and ended with a weeklong celebration of girls, positive self-esteem, health and fitness.

The event, which is aimed at impacting the community, completes the three Girl Scouts' careers.

Merkele told Patch they decided to do a self-esteem day camp for girls because they wanted to stress the importance of a positive self-image and a healthy emotional approach to fitness and health.

“My sister is 10 years old and she’s all about the teen magazines.  It's easy to lose yourself in what people think you need to be,” said Merkele.

Each day, the girls’ schedules are jammed with physical exercise, such as kickball, dance classes, yoga and hiking.

Exercises for the mind are also important at the camp. The girls wrote a creative essay about their favorite fruit and drew butterflies that symbolize their hopes and dreams.

Each day, a professional woman is scheduled to come and speak with the girls. On Monday, Rockette McKenzie Schwarzkoff taught the girls a short dance routine.

A psychologist and a Beaumont nutritionist are scheduled to visit the girls this week as well.

To hear what the girls learned so far at the camp, check out the video player.