Girls on An Adventure Club
Let’s face it, navigating middle school is no easy endeavor. The challenges and pressures our middle school students face today in a post pandemic world are even more significant than ever before. This new club serves as a “survival guide of sorts” for middle school girls at a critical stage in their development.
Our goal is to create resilience, strengthen self-confidence, and provide support during the time when they need it the most. In addition, girls will learn the importance of creating a strong and positive connection between their physical and emotional health. They will learn to embrace their inner strength and make meaningful connections with other girls through weekly group activities and discussions.
This 10-week program is open to all girls’ grades 6-8th and will meet on Monday afternoons at East Granby Farms - Sears House from 4:30pm - 6pm (no class on October 10 or October 31, 2022). Each week, our sessions will begin with an “adventure” activity that provides and opportunity to focus on developing the connection between our physical and emotional health as a group. Activities will include, hiking, walking, moving meditations, yoga, visiting local exhibits, events, etc.
We will then participate in discussions/activities with guest speakers on topics that will include the following and will be adjusted to meet the needs of the group:
- Dealing with social pressures
- Navigating the online world
- Finding healthy tribes
- Expanding learning abilities
- Expressing individuality
- Confronting bullies
- Becoming a positive contributor
- Prioritizing needs
- Bouncing back from failure and disappointments
- Communicating with parents, teachers, and coaches
- Open Round Table Discussions
Each session will close with an impromptu activity and treat (girls will create a list and we will draw randomly each week). This club will provide a unique opportunity for these girls to come together in a safe and supportive environment where they are free to express themselves, build self-confidence, create new friendships with their peers and build resilience that will stay with them far beyond the middle school years.
This program is being offered by Coach Jennifer Derleth and East Granby Parks and Recreation. Coach Jennifer is the owner of theTotalRunner Athletics and has certifications in run coaching, yoga, personal training, youth sports performance, and is currently working to complete her MS in Sport and Performance Psychology.
The Girls on An Adventure Club was created to address what girls need most, when they need it most to ensure positive growth during this critical time in their physical and emotional development. Through her experience in coaching various athletic programs for middle school students, and by serving as a mentor for middle school girls she has creatively developed this unique program to do just that. Guest speakers will include local women who share her vision and are trained in their field..