For 25 years, Girls in the Game has worked to develop the physical and emotional health of girls in Chicago, using sport as a way to keep girls active, teach lessons like grit and teamwork and developing leadership skills by offering training as coaches and other professional development opportunities. While COVID-19 still restricts the in-person work that can be done, Girls in the Game is committed to providing support and development for girls who need it by providing virtual summer programming for girls ages 7-18 this summer.
The Summer Series will provide a weekly focus for elementary and middle school girls, allowing parents and girls to register for one week or the entire Summer Series. Guest coaches will be featured, and Girls in the Game Teen Squad members will act as junior coaches for some sessions to give girls relatable role models. All programming is free and open to any girl (girls will need access to Zoom and a Google sign-in) and more information on registration can be found here.
Summer Series sessions run from 10am-2pm, Tuesday through Thursday, from July 7-July 28. Weekly themes include: Taking Care of Your Mind, Taking Care of Your Body, Supporting Your Community and Changing the Game.
For teens, Girls in the Game is offering virtual Teen Squad this summer, a citywide program that provides direct leadership development opportunities for girls 14-18. From July 6 through August 14, Teen Squad members will engage in daily sports, health and leadership workshops that also allow them to earn scholarship dollars for college. Teens are trained to lead workshops for younger girls enrolled in the Summer Series as well as fitness challenges. Teen Squad members also participate in Leader to Leader Interviews, allowing them to interview professionals from a variety of industries to learn about their college and professional experiences as well as future career opportunities. Professional development workshops on topics such as networking, resume building and completing college applications are featured once a week. More information and registration details can be found here.
Girls in the Game recognizes that not all playing fields are created equal and works to provide opportunities for girls to have the chance to develop their strength and become agents of change in their own communities today as well as tomorrow’s world. Since 1995, they have levelled the playing field for over 50,000 girls. In such challenging times, it is more important than ever that girls have a space where they can be active, be themselves and be together, even if its online. To learn more about Girls in the Game and how you can help girls stay in the game, visit www.girlsinthegame.org.
