Programs for Girls

  

Back in the day, girls were supposed to simply “enjoy being a girl.” They still do. But their lives are so much more complicated than their mothers ever dreamed possible.

HGNA understands the challenges and frustrations facing today’s girls—everything from narrowly defined attributes of “beauty” to the groaning pressures of grades, extracurricular activities and boys. Our goal is to provide resources, guidance and support to the girls of our community, helping them withstand the unhealthy pressures of the culture as they grow in strength and maturity. Among the programs HGNA currently offers are:

Chick Chat
4-6th Grade Girls
Annual Event (usually held in March)

Chick Chat is a day-long workshop where fourth- through sixth-grade girls can explore their interests and issues, build interpersonal skills and have fun—all within a safe and nurturing environment. Throughout the day, girls hear motivational presentations, enjoy a healthy lunch and break into small groups with trained facilitators to discuss topics such as cultivating inner beauty, understanding feelings, and developing healthy family and peer relationships. This event is designed to provide girls with inspiration, guidance and perspective about the changes they are encountering in their lives.

Click here to view our Chick Chat Slide Show and Mom and Dad Chat Video.

E-mail: chickchat@hgna.org.

Snowflake
7th Grade Girls and Boys
Annual Event (usually held in the Spring)
$20 registration fee

Snowflake allows middle/junior high school students to explore leadership and communication skills, healthy decision-making, substance abuse prevention and ways to resist negative peer influences. Planned and implemented by trained high school students with adults serving in advisory roles, the day-long event includes a dynamic keynote speaker, several fun group activities, a pizza dinner and a dance. The program is a collaborative effort between HGNA, Downers Grove North and South high schools, Lakeview Junior High, Herrick and O’Neill Middle Schools, Downers Grove Township and the Downers Grove Police Department.

The ABCs of Friendship
2nd/3rd Grade Girls

Building Relationships and Developing Friendships
4th/5th Grade Girls

Not Much Just Chilling: The Challenges of Communicating in Cyberspace
6th/7th/9th Grade Girls

$10 registration fee

In partnership with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and the Downers Grove Park District, HGNA has developed these workshops which correlate to badge programs for Brownie, Junior and Cadet Girl Scouts. These two hour interactive workshops are also available in other settings such as classrooms and youth groups.  To schedule your workshop, please visit www.dgparks.org or email gsprograms@hgna.org.