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Las Vegas, NV - Cruel and Unusual Punishments has only been playing together for a few days, but the band has already written an original song.

11-year old Jesse Rosenberg is the guitarist for the group.  She's played for a couple years, but this is her first experience in a band. 

"It really is just fun to be with just girls and just rock out and not have boys judge you or anything," she says.  "It's just girls, it's fun."

Heather Rampton started the Girls Rock camp in Las Vegas three years ago, after she heard about a similar program in Oregon. She loved the idea of a place that was just for girls.

"I never had that growing up," Rampton says.  "I was always the one of two female drummers, always the minority. I think it means something to these girls to have it be all about them."

This year, there are more than 40 girls in camp.  They are different ages and have different musical abilities.  But they all get something at camp that they don't get in school, where music and arts programs are continually being cut from budgets.

"Music gives you a chance to express yourself," says 13-year old Mary Kray.  "I think that's really important for girls."

Jesse says music is only part of what she's gained.  

"I've learned how to connect with people socially, and be friends with more people. It's helped me become a better person. And I have more confidence overall. I just feel better about myself after I went to this camp."

Girls Rock is a non-profit organization that offers scholarships to girls who can't afford camp or after-school programs on their own. In the past, they've relied on state grants for funding, but that was cut in the budget that was just signed by Governor Sandoval.  They're hoping the community will step up now, to help the program continue. For more information, visit www.girlsrockvegas.org.