School-Based Programs

A self-esteem and confidence building program for girls aged 9-14 (grades 5-8), Girlz Unplugged includes lots of laughs and fun while exploring issues that are important to girls. Topics including self-awareness; communication; body image; being internet savvy; how to handle stress; bullying; healthy relationships and positive peer relations.

Girlz Unplugged is offered as a school based program at all public elementary schools in Muskoka, where girls meet with a trained facilitator once a week over twelve weeks. Over 180 girls from sixteen area schools were enrolled during the 2008-2009 school year.

Girlz Unplugged is also offered as a summer program and through three day-conferences held in Gravenhurst, Huntsville and Bracebridge.

September 2009 marks the launch of an after-school Girlz Unplugged program at Moose Deer Point First Nation.

GIRLZ CHOICE

A youth-driven, secondary school program for girls aged 14-17 referred through the Student Success program. Up to 15 girls meet with a trained facilitator during scheduled class time over 8 weeks. The participants identify and choose the topics for each week. Together they explore issues that are important to them; trust; conflict resolution; personal choices and goals. Some of the topics have included relationships, sex, stress, conflict with parents, body image and eating disorders, drugs and alcohol.

Girlz Choice started as a pilot program in spring 2006 at Bracebridge Muskoka Lakes Secondary School. It is currently offered at Gravenhurst High School, Bracebridge Muskoka Lakes Secondary School, St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School and Huntsville High School.

QUEST: Lifeskills Programs for Boys

Quest started in 2007 as a pilot program delivered by YWCA Muskoka at Bracebridge Public School for grade 5/6 boys. In 2008, 32 boys at 3 Muskoka schools participated with zero attrition.

Boys in grades 5 and 6 embark on a QUEST that will explore their strengths and uniqueness, learn about character, and collect tools and skills to promote empathy, positive peer relations and good decision making as they navigate life’s opportunities and challenges.

YWCA Muskoka has secured funding in 2009 from the National Crime Prevention Centre to expand and deliver Quest over the next five years to each of the 18 elementary schools in Muskoka region; to develop a consecutive program for grade 7/8 boys and by 2011, include a secondary school program for at risk youth.  

Spring 2010 will also see the first fieldtrips departing from Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville to local destinations that will encourage community engagement among Quest participants.

Registration for Girlz Unplugged and Quest available here

Careers On and Off the Beaten Path

YWCA Muskoka brings the community and a team of volunteer speakers into the grade 10 careers classes at the four Muskoka high schools. Our speakers tell it like it is, providing insight into direct and indirect paths to success. Secondary school educators can select speakers with the aid of an online roster. In the 2008/09, 98 presentations were given to students across Muskoka. The program is funded by RBC Foundation.

Follow links for  more information, or to browse the latest roster list.

2010 Power of Being a Girl Conference Unqualified Success

POWER OF BEING A GIRL

On January 30^th, YWCA Muskoka held its first Muskoka-wide Power of Being a Girl conference for girls. The day started with a bitter minus 30, but a school bus was waiting for the first of fifty eight girls between the ages of 8 and 14, who travelled from all parts of Muskoka. 

Once everyone arrived at Spruce Glen Public School, the conference was launched by special guest, Robin Clipsham, a drama teacher who came with three of her female students who make up part of the BMLSS improv team. They energized the girls with a series of warm-ups and drama games all revolving around “What’s your Superpower?”

There were then four groups and four different workshops for the day.   Eco-intern, Erin Thomson and Cath Armstrong had the girls create a name and chant for their group which was used as the focus for a session on movie making.  Amy Miller and Heather McFadyen brought their backgrounds in outdoor education and yoga together to create a session that got the girls moving, first indoors and as the day warmed up to a balmy minus 15 with glorious sunshine took it outside for a breath of fresh air! A banner emblazoned with the words “It’s not Cool to Be Cruel” drew out the girls creative talents and ideas as they talked with Marcy Hill, drew and wrote messages about how kids can learn to stand up for themselves and others against meanness and choose not to be a bystander.  Elise Muller shared her expressive arts training by having the girls take recycled clothing and objects and create their own fashions. There were capes, bags, masks, armbands, and funky accessories which were later paraded in the “Trashion Show”. 

Overall, the event was a huge success.  The girls had a blast and were constantly on the move – active and creative – learning new things and socializing with girls from all over. Healthy snacks and salads were donated by Sobeys. Finally, short clips of films made throughout the day were shared together on the gym’s big screen prompting lots of giggles, a few hugs and hopeful promises of meeting again at the Girlz Unplugged Summer programs. 

To See Girls Conference Team Videos: click here