ROC Girls Rock It at The Regent and get-away

Pinecrest school participants in the latest ‘Girls Rock It’ Recreation Outreach Centre session selected a unique experience for their field trip – an outing to the Regent Theatre in Picton where they enjoyed a taco party, dancing, and had special access to the costume department!  Many giggles and wardrobe changes later, the group took over the stage for a fashion show and photo opportunities.  The girls also had a private showing of a compilation of their six-week program session on the big screen.

The Girls Rock It program involves fun-based learning in the promotion of healthy living. Its outline has a theme for each week including: healthy self image, fabulous friendships, anger, violence, and bullying, body image through media literacy, healthy food choices, and making goals for success.
Using the themes, each session is adapted to the needs of the participants in each particular school by giving the girls the opportunity to choose their own activities from the thematic curriculum.

Thirty-four Grade 8 girls made their thanks to the Prince Edward District Women’s Institute known in this photo from their Overnight Girls’ Getaway.
The girls, from Athol, Sophiasburgh, Queen Elizabeth and Pinecrest camped at Pleasant Bay in Consecon.
“The majority of girls in this transition phase are anxious about going into high school and, in our rural community, there is significant value in providing these youth with the opportunity to make new friends and expand their peer support group before they make the move into Grade 9,” says Hiliary Fennell, Program Facilitator.
Activities included participating in meal preparation, campfire fun with s’mores and a sing-a-longs with singer, songwriter Emily Fennell, t-shirt decorating, a beach hike, dance party, and lots of girl talk!
An anonymous survey of the participants indicated that 100 per cent of the girls had met new friends through the event and the majority (89 per cent) are now feeling less anxious about making the transition into high school.
Some of the quotes from the survey:
“I liked getting to know girls from different schools, and making stuff like t-shirts”

“The food and meeting new girls”

“I liked everything”

“I liked singing together and hanging out in the cabin before bed”

“Everything! It was so fun!”

“Dancing in the cabins with my new friends!”

The Recreation Outreach Centre extended its thanks to the community supporters and volunteers who made the first Overnight Girls’ Getway a success!
There are no fees for participants to attend the ROC’s programs – including a summer full of sports and activities.
Volunteers are also welcome. Call Darlene Thompson at 613-476-7901, ext. 219.

Visit the ROC’s Facebook page for details on all their programs. https://www.facebook.com/pages/ROC-Recreation-Outreach-Centre/120284664711277