The Power Camp

Some national and regional networks, rather than promoting a specific curriculum, seek affiliates that embrace their philosophy of programming for girls. The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) promotes its philosophy of physical activity and self-esteem for girls through In
Motion workshops across the country. The organization is now taking this philosophy into nine communities working exclusively with Aboriginal girls in partnership with the Aboriginal Sports Circle. The Power Camp National/Filles d’action network also has a defined philosophy based on its understanding of best practices in gender-based girl-specific programming, and has gathered up and linked a number of interesting community based “boutique” programs and individual women committed to such programming under their network umbrella.

Curriculum and program philosophies

Rather than all being developed from scratch, there appears to be some take-up of existing curricula that has been designed especially for, or easily adapted to, gender- based girl-specific programs. Examples include TAKE IT EASY!, a self-esteem curriculum, Girls Inc. that licenses the use of eight research-based programs for girls, the YWCA’s Girls Clubs, and Just for Girls, a BC-based program to “help girls safely navigate the rocky road through adolescence and avoid the pitfalls such as eating disorders”. In general, however, not all programmers are aware of the various curricula that are available. A short list of curriculum resources currently available is included in the appendices.

Girls in science

It is also exciting to see that young women have initiated several programs and groups for girls and young women. Justice for Girls is an advocacy and internship program in Vancouver for girls under age 19 living in poverty that was set up by two young women, one with experience living on the street, the other a street worker. The Canadian Association for Girls in Science, for girls ages seven to 16, was created by a nine-year-old girl out of her passion for science and concern that girls were turning off of science at a very young age. Another girls’ empowerment program, Ophelia’s Voice, was recently developed by a 13-year-old girl in Calgary who has promoted it through the web-based social action youth forum, Taking IT Global, as well as through local community-based organizations.

Responsive program development

Much of the girls’ programming appears to be developed by staff at agencies and organizations, sometimes in response to a research-based need (i.e. to increase girls activity levels) where such research exists, or an expressed desire of girls who want to participate. Some have designed creative participatory research approaches to engage
girls in the identification of their program needs and possibilities as well as gaps. The Young Women Work research project in inner city Winnipeg and the Girls Decide project in Newfoundland and Labrador are two such examples. The National YWCA has recently set up a young women’s committee to inform their programming and work with girls and young women.