Upcoming Girl Power Events and Activities...

I just wanted to let you know about some upcoming Girl Power activities and groups that are going to be happening this fall. There is a little bit of everything for everyone! The events are outlined below however, if you would like more information about any of the programs don't hesitate to call our Girl Power Coordinator Melisa at 625-2891 or send her an email at mwalczak@thunderbay.ca.

FUN RUN

When: Saturday September 22^nd, 2012

Time: 9am

Where: Confederation College Fitness Centre

For: Girls ages 5-15

Cost: $20.00 (includes a T-shirt)

To Register: Call 625-TIME (8463)

Course code: #271087

This is a non-competitive event for girls ages 5-15 and is designed to promote fun, fitness and friendship. The entry fee of $20 includes a T-shirt, water, snack, and participation award. There will be different distances for different age groups and parents are encouraged to come cheer their girls on! The event will take place outdoors weather permitting otherwise it will be inside the Fitness Centre Bubble. There will be prize draws after the run and face painting for everyone.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT ADVISORY GROUP

When: Every second Wednesday of each month starting October 10^th, 2012 (excluding March)

Time: 6pm-8pm

Where: Canada Games Complex

For: Girls in grades 5-9

Cost: FREE!

To Register: Call 625-2891

Course Code: #271187

Only 12 spots available so register early!  Girls Night Out Advisory Group meets to discuss everything Girl Power. We brainstorm ideas for upcoming Girl Power events, play games, do crafts, try different sports, and talk about things such as, healthy eating, self-esteem, leadership and community involvement. The girls will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities and a healthy, nut free snack is provided. After the meeting is over the girls are able to go for a swim however, it is up to the parent/guardian to provide supervision at this time.

GIRL POWER NEIGHBOURHOOD RECREATION PROGRAM (NRP)

When: Every Tuesday

Time: 6pm-8pm

Where: Bishop Gallagher School

For: girls ages 10-15

Cost: FREE!

No pre-registration is required; this is a drop in program.

Girl Power NRP is a free, inclusive, afterschool program designed just for girls. The program emphasizes healthy choices, nutrition, physical activity, body image and other issues facing girls. There will be a variety of activities, from sports to crafts, along with some special guest speakers. Girls from all schools are invited to participate in the program.

Did we miss anything? Is there an activitiy or an event that you would like to see happen? If so leave us a comment below telling us what activities you would like us to plan next. 

A Cool and Tasty Treat to Try.

FROZEN YOGURT POPS

Prep time: about 1 to 2 hours

Ingredients:

       1 8-oz. container of your favorite flavor of yogurt

Utensils:

       small paper cups

       wooden popsicle sticks (available in craft stores)

       plastic wrap

Directions:

1.    Pour yogurt into paper cups. Fill them almost to the top.

2.    Stretch a small piece of plastic wrap across the top of each cup.

3.    Using the popsicle stick, poke a hole in the plastic wrap. Stand the stick straight up in the center of the cup.

4.    Put the cups in the freezer until the yogurt is frozen solid.

5.    Remove the plastic wrap, peel away the paper cup, and eat your pop!

Variations and suggestions:
-If you like, you can make this recipe using plastic ice-pop molds instead of the paper cups and popsicle sticks.

-Add in fresh or frozen fruit such as, raspberries, blueberries, mango or strawberries. Pour the fruit into the paper cups before pouring in the yogurt.

-For a cool-looking snack, fill your cups only halfway with one flavor of yogurt in Step 1. Follow Steps 2, 3, and 4. Remove your pops from the freezer, take off the plastic wrap, and spoon in another flavor of yogurt that's a different color. Put the plastic wrap back on and freeze once more. When your pops are frozen, you'll have two-colored treats!

What’s your favourite healthy summer time snack? Leave us a comment below and let us know!

Top 5 Reasons Girls Should Play Sports

From: http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/fit/5_sports.html#cat120

Why play sports? You might say "to get exercise" and you'd be right. To have fun? That's true, too. But there's more. In fact, there are at least 5 more reasons. According to the Women's Sports Foundation, girls who play sports get a lot more than just fit.

1.    Girls who play sports do better in school. You might think that athletics will take up all your study time. But research shows exercise improves learning, memory, and concentration, which can give active girls an advantage in the classroom.

2.    Girls who play sports learn teamwork and goal-setting skills. Sports teach valuable life skills. When you working with coaches, trainers, and teammates to win games and achieve goals, you're learning how to be successful. Those skills will serve you well at work and in family life.

3.    Sports are good for a girl's health. In addition to being fit, girls who play sports are also less likely to smoke. And later in life, girls who exercise are less likely to get breast cancer or osteoporosis.

4.    Playing sports boosts self-confidence. Girls who play sports feel better about themselves. Why? It builds confidence when you know you can practice, improve, and achieve your goals.

5.    Exercise cuts the pressure. Playing sports can lessen stress and help you feel a little happier. How? The brain chemicals released during exercise improve a person's mood. Friends are another mood-lifter. And being on a team creates tight bonds between friends. It's good to know your teammates will support you — both on and off the field.

What sport(s) do you play? Is there a sport that you would like to try? Leave us a comment below telling us your favourite sport or one that you would like to try.

Are You a Girl Who Believes?

Hey Ladies! I wanted to let you know about a cool contest that I came accross. The information is below or you can check out http://www.meredithshaw.com/ for more details.

1. Upload a video (3 mins max) to YouTube telling us why YOU are a GIRL WHO BELIEVES

2. Send the link to girlswhobelieve@gmail.com
3. All Videos DUE by AUGUST 13th @ 12 am
4. Good Luck!!
5. The WINNER will receive a CAMEO in the Girls Who Believe MUSIC VIDEO; a piece of believe bling by Rock and Reverie; a $250 donation in your name to charity Girls Inc.

7 small changes you can make TODAY to promote a healthier lifestyle.

Eat well, get fit, and feel good about yourself!

Here are seven easy and practical things that you can do every day to help you make healthier choices. Remember, small changes make a big difference!

1.  Eat a healthy breakfast every day. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It provides your body with the nutrients that it needs to keep you going all day long. If you skip breakfast you may feel tired and unable to concentrate at school.  Some examples of a healthy breakfast include: a frozen fruit smoothie, a pita pocket with peanut butter and banana slices or yogurt with granola and berries.

2.  Enjoy more vegetables and fruit. Canada’s Food Guide recommends that kids ages 10-14 get 6-7 servings of fruit and veggies a day. Try adding a small salad to your meals, grab a handful of carrots or celery as a snack or try topping your morning cereal with ½ banana or berries. A serving size is smaller than you think, ½ cup of veggies, 1 cup of leafy greens or 1 piece of fruit is considered a serving size.

3.  Rethink your snack. Most people tend to reach for an unhealthy snack when they are feeling hungry between meals. Some examples of these foods include chips, cookies, chocolate bars, and doughnuts. Some healthier alternatives that will satisfy your hunger and provide you with the fuel you need until your next meal are: rice cakes with nut butter, crackers and cheese, a hardboiled egg or raw veggies with hummus.

4.  Make meals at home. Research shows that Canadian families on average eat out 520 times a year, since there is only 365 days in a year that adds up to eating out at least 1-2 times in a day! Yikes! Not only does that cost a lot of money it is also an unhealthy choice to make. Fast food is packed with calories, salt and fat, all of the nutrients that you don’t want. Instead try making meals at home with your family, pick a few of your favourite recipes, prepare and shop for ingredients ahead of time. Make extras so that you can have it for lunch the next day or better yet make even more and freeze it so you have ready-made meals that can just be pulled out of the freezer.

5. Choose water.  The human body is made up of 60-70% water and we can’t survive without it. Girls ages 9-14 need about 1.75 Litres of water a day, more if they are exercising. Try replacing high calorie, sugary drinks such as, pop or non-fruit juice with water. Water is a natural, refreshing, no calorie, no sugar drink. Fill a water bottle from the tap and keep it with you during the day, add a slice of lemon or lime for flavour. Keep extra bottles of water in the fridge to keep you cool on hot days.

6. Be Active Every Day.  Kids need around 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Walking to school instead of riding the bus, helping out around the house raking leaves or shovelling snow, joining a sports team after school, or going for a walk with your dog are all great ways to include more physical activity and exercise into your day.   

7.  Watch less TV. Limit T.V., computer and video game time to less than 2 hours a day. Studies show that Canadian kids are getting about 4-5 hours a day of screen time. The more you sit and watch T.V. the less active you are and harder it is to maintain healthy lifestyle choices. Instead of watching T.V. or playing on the computer, call a friend and go for a walk, dance to your favourite music or try a new activity with your family, such as a cooking class or hiking on a local trail.

Do you have any healthy lifestyle habits that you would like to share? Let us know by adding a comment below telling us what you do every day to be healthy.

Top 5 reasons Girl Power is AWESOME!

#5. No boys allowed! That's right Girl Power is for girls only, at our events you get to hang out with girls your own age and have some fun.

#4. You get to try before you buy (as they say). You can try out different activites and sports, if you find something you like then you can sign up for a class.

#3. We have snacks. At Girl Power we talk a lot about eating healthy, but what does healthy eating mean? We bring in different foods and snacks (all nut safe) for you to try. We've been know to get a little crazy with our smoothie making, see our favourite recipe bellow.

#2. You get to have your say in all things Girl Power. Is their a certain activity you want to try? A idea that you have for a blog? Maybe you want to design the t-shirt for our up coming event? We encourage girls to let us know what THEY would like to see or do and we try to provide it.

#1. An the number one reason why Girl Power is AWESOME...we are bringing Aussie X to Thunder Bay! Aussie X is a team from Australlia (but live in Toronto now) who travel across the country to teach people of all ages about teamwork, leadership and being active all while having fun. Participants in the Aussie X program will get to try Aussie Football, Cricket and Netball, as well as, learn a variety of Australlian songs, dances and games and did I mention they have been on T.V. before?! Yup, they have been on Dragon's Den! Check out their website here and see what they are all about. We have limited spots available for this event, it's a once in a life time opportunity for girls in Thunder Bay so don't miss out.

To register call 625-TIME (8463), course code # 264387.
Still have questions, give Melisa a call at 625-2891.

Hope to see you there!

Did I miss one? Do you have a reason why you think Girl Power is AWESOME? Leave us a comment below telling us Why you think Girl Power is AWESOME.

What is a Girl Power?

It's a place where girls can participate in recreation opportunities, learn about being healthy and boost their self-esteem in a safe and supportive environment!

Curious about what happens at a Girl Power conference? Check out our video here!

The 9th annual Girl Power Conference is happening on Saturday May 12th, 2012 at Confederation College.

The cost is $25 without at t-shirt or $35 with a t-shirt.

To register you can call 625-2351 Course Code #256958

Bring a friend or come alone. We have tonnes of activities planned and no need to pack a lunch because it is included!

Are you coming to Girl Power Conference?

Girl Power is coming to a school near you!

Only 32 days until Girl Power Conference 9 so we are heading out on the road to let girls know! This week we will be stopping in at Edgewater Park, Nor'wester View and Bishop E. Q. Jennings schools. I'll be talking to the Grade 5-8 girls about Girl Power, showing a video from last year's conference and handing out some prizes too!

Are You a Writer, Artist or Poet?

Submit your entries for the

COOL GIRL CONTEST

Winners will be chosen at our

9th annual Girl Power Conference

on

May 12th, 2012

1^st place $75

2^nd place $50

3^rd  place $25

We Want You To Tell Us:

What Makes Girls Great?!

Submit poems, pictures, stories or art

Anything you like! The possibilities are endless!

Submission Deadline is May 7th, 2012

Entries can be dropped off at:

Victoriaville Civic Centre

111 Syndicate Ave. S.

Thunder Bay, Ontario , P7C 6S4

Attention: Melisa Walczak

OR

Emailed to:

mwalczak@thunderbay.ca

Learn! Eat! Challenge!

We had another awesome Girls Can't Do What?! meeting last week! We played lots of fun games and started to plan our lunch time events that we are running at the conference for all the girls that come. We decided to go with an Olympic theme because if you haven't heard, this year the Summer Olympics are being held in London, England.

The girls were hard at work planning and having fun but we had a chance to stop and have a snack too. We made a strawberry banana smoothie that was very tasty! We thought you might want to try one too, it's a quick snack that's healthy for you.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie
For 2 people

1 cup of Strawberries
1 Banana
1/2 cup of Yogurt
1 1/2 cups of Milk
1 Tbsp. of Honey
Throw all the ingredients into the blender and blend. If the mixture is too thick add more milk. To make it extra creamy freeze the banana beforehand.

Enjoy!

Do you have a favourite smoothie recipe you like to make?
Share it with us! Leave a comment below.

Getting ready for the Conference!

The planning for the Conference is fully underway! The new girls group, Girls Can't Do WHAT?!, has a lot of great ideas for the 9th Annual Girl Power Conference. So far we have talked about different activities we want to see at the Conference, how to engage peolpe at the Media Conference, and maybe even of hosting some mini-events at the lunch break!

The group has been doing a lot of hard work, but we have also been having a lot of fun! The best part is getting to meet the other girls and find out new things about them. The more we learn about each other the more we realize we have a lot in common and have a lot of great qualities to share with each other.

The Girl Power Conference is a really great place to meet new friends and try new things. We are in the process of setting the schedule, and confirming great activities. More information can be found in The Key.

What are you most excited about for the Conference?

Girls Can't Do WHAT?!

At the first meeting on January 18, the girls advisory group came up with an awesome group name: Girls Can't Do WHAT?! This is a perfect name because, as we all know, girls can do whatever they set their minds to! Girls are strong and have a lot to offer!

This terrific new group is the voice of everything Girl Power. The girls get to have their say in events and conference activites. They might even be special presenters at the Girl Power Conference! Together we share our thoughts and ideas about what it means to be a girl and what things we want to try in the future. And don't forget our yummy snacks!

Come out and join us! Our next meeting is on Wednesday February 8th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Canada Games Complex (420 Winnipeg Avenue). Send in the registration form to save time at the meeting! If you have any questions call the Girl Power Coordinator, Tasha Shields, at 807-625-2891. We hope to see you there!