|
July 26, 2005
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
GO GIRL GRANT APPLICATIONS-now available!
What is Go Girl
A one day get active workshop for teenaged girls (12-17 years old)
The goal of this event is to encourage and support teenaged girls in choosing an active, healthy lifestyle.
This is a one day experience in which teenaged girls are invited to see-and-try a variety of physical activities and sports and access resources on how to continue participating in these activities.
They also have the opportunity to participate in sessions and information on nutrition, body image and wellness issues.
Go Girl is a great opportunity for girls to move beyond some of the barriers to participating in physical activity.
Why Go Girl?
Physical inactivity represents a significant health burden in Canada. More than half of Canada's children and youth are not active enough for healthy growth and development according to studies by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute.
Between 1981 and 1996, the number of overweight Canadian children doubled.
Specifically, teenaged girls ages 12-17 are at high risk. They are generally less active than males in the same age group. This is compounded as the recent trends indicate that levels of sport participation decrease dramatically as we age (Sport Canada's 1998 - Sport Participation in Canada).
Girls are particularly prone to sedentary behaviour during puberty, when their self image and confidence levels are challenged. In fact, 62 percent of girls are inactive compared to 54 percent of boys. (Canadian Pediatric Society - Environics Poll - April 2002).
Another alarming trend presented by Drug Strategies President Mathea Falco at a Washington, DC press conference indicated "by the early 2000's, girls will surpass boys in tobacco alcohol use and will be pulling even with them in marijuana use". Our Alberta girls echoed this same concern, rating drugs and alcohol as the top issue facing teens today.
Program Goals
Promote and support healthy, active lifestyles for teen girls in the province of Alberta
Provide communities with the support and resources to host their own Go Girl events
Encourage recipient communities to establish a local network and programs to ensure ongoing support of teen girls' physical activity following a Go Girl event
Program Objectives
Provide girls with a low cost, community based event in a supervised recreational setting
Provide opportunities for girls to actively engage in a variety of indoor and outdoor physical activities of choice, including both individual and team sports
Provide participants with essential information to pursue activities of their choice
Meet needs of girls of different ability/disability levels, ages and cultural backgrounds
Ensure a fun and inviting atmosphere along with opportunities for girls to socialize and meet new people.
Grant Opportunities
Go Girl events provide a unique opportunity for communities to reach out to their teen girls. Communities are encouraged to apply for a grant to host such an event. The 2005 Go Girl program provided funding up to a maximum of $2500.
For more information about Go Girl, hosting an event in your community, and the Grant Application documents, visit the InMotion Network web site at: http://www.inmotionetwork.org/pgms.html
|
