A spin-off initiative by Austin organizations may give 10- to 15-year-old boys a new creative obsession this summer — but they'll start with a free two-day camp. Street Genius 2 Day Mini Summer Camp will be held Wednesday, July 23, and Thursday, July 24, at Austin PBS (6101 Highland Campus Dr., Bldg. 3000, LL) in the Silicon Labs community space.

A press release from Street Genius calls out how media distorts what is thought of as “strong” or “manly," and cites concerning statistics about teen boys' body image. It also expresses concern about traditional gender roles, a lack of advice on how to deal with the pressures to conform, and harmful tropes that replace meaningful advice and may increase self-harm and isolation.

The camp's solution is to offer opportunities to get creative, meet mentors, and have conversations about identity. This July, participants will learn about:

• social justice relief printing from illustrator Brock Caron
• fashion from StitchLab ATX founder Eric Lugo
• physical stunts from film producer and stunt coordinator Hector Gonzalez

Street Genius already has some events under its belt. The classes above follow up after two prior events on design thinking and music video production.

The founding team includes organizers from some local girls', women's, and entrepreneurship groups, who shifted their focus to a different demographic that nonetheless could use some enrichment. Founders came from Latinitas, UT’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Austin Urban Technology Movement (AUTMHQ), Con Mi Madre, and Mama Wears Pants.

“We started Street Genius to put our long time experience working with college students, professionals and girls[,] and all those best practices towards boys,” said Ruben Cantu, who founded the entrepreneurship incubator at LMNTS, in the release. “Our groups have historically focused on lesser represented communities and we do put some extra emphasis on the needs and challenges Black and Latino boys[,] who are up against everything else other boys are, [as well as] another systemic layer..."

Michael Ward, Jr. founder of Austin Urban Technology Movement explained, “AUTMHQ has cultivated a pipeline of support for Black and Brown men to engage in the city’s most flourishing and lucrative industries: technology and manufacturing. Street Genius is about creating a space to connect that network through mentoring and career exposure to the boys and teens coming up behind them."

Volunteers are also encouraged to get involved. Prior experience is not needed to be considered.