I was a Smart-Girl when I was in middle school, and then a guide in high school, and now a Masters student seeking a degree in public health because I want to bring programming like this to all girls. My experience as a Smart-Girl participant is almost wholly responsible for my successful navigation of what can be an impossible time of life, my confidence in making the decisions that were right for me, and the strength to support others and ask for help when I needed it. I think that this program's structure and its thoughtful curriculum gives young women a safe space to ask the questions that plague all of us growing up, and gives them the tools to answer those questions healthily and for themselves.
I love this program! I went through it twice as a camper and it was so amazing that I returned to volunteer as a junior guide. Smart-Girl really helped me and the girls I was with talk candidly about real issues that girls face and get real advice from young women. I feel so fortunate that I got to help other girls the way this program helped me.
Smart-Girl is amazing. I worked for the program initially as a high school group leader and have stayed involved as a volunteer ever since. The organization's fundamental commitment to continued improved has allowed it to grow and thrive and to meet the ever changing needs of girls caught between childhood and adolescence.
Smart Girls is a fantastic program for helping young girls build self esteem and leadership skills. My daughter loved participating in the activities. She learned a lot of new skills and different ways to approach challenges. As both a mom and volunteer, I highly recommend this program!
One of my dearest friends works for Smart-Girl, and her stories about working with the young girls in the program are incredible. She has so much enthusiasm for the programs and the benefits they provide the young girls involved--it's almost impossible not to get equally excited! I am inspired by how Smart-Girl works to create meaningful, positive relationships between young girls while simultaneously supporting the emotional, mental, and social well-being of each individual girl. The impact of teaching our young people about positive relationships, healthy self-esteem, and respect for one another certainly makes Smart-Girl's efforts reach far beyond the girls they serve and well into the communities we all live in. I could write an entire page (single spaced!) on why I believe in the Smart-Gril program!
My daughter attended a Smart Girl summer camp. She LOVED it! The counselors were wonderful. She benefitted so much from the activities on self-confidence. She's just started middle school, which can be a tough transition. She's doing extremely well - making friends, excelling in her school work, getting involved in school activities. Smart Girl helped to get her on the right path.
Great program for girls!! This helped my daughter boost her self-esteem and feel comfortable with other smart girls and learn that it's OK to be beautiful AND smart:)
Our daughter, who was going into 6th grade, was part of this past summer's Smart Girl camp. We don't do too many camps for our children because we often find them over-priced and don't deliver quite the experience they promise. After a week of Smart Girl camp, our daughter was so thrilled with her experience. The camp far exceeded our expectations and we can't wait for her to participate again. We have already put some of the tools that she learned about coping with peers in class, boy/girl middle school maturity differences, and self image tools to the test after just two weeks in middle school. This camp was priced very fairly and I only wish that every girl in her sixth grade class had attended the camp. It was a great week and the women that run it were full of personality and knowledge.
My daughter did NOT want to go to this camp. She doesn't make friends easily and feels very self conscious in groups. By the end of the first day, she told me three friends she had made and three things she really likes about herself. The week just got better from there. By the graduation ceremony, she was already begging to come back next year, and could see herself as a counselor with the group when she's older.
I've been dreading her middle school experience for years -- apparently for naught. She is thriving, making friends and choosing friends who make her feel better, not just those who fit an image she thought she wanted. I credit SMART-Girl with that! See you next year.
My daughter attended Smart-Girl summer camp before she started middle school. Despite her challenges with social integration, Smart-Girl gave her great skills that really prepared her for the tough years ahead of her. Middle school was a success for her. Thanks Smart-Girl!
Both my daughters attended the Smart-Girl Summer Camps and loved it. Their experiences helped them deal with everything from bullying to body image. I highly recommend it!
Smart Girl is a past grantee of The Women's Foundation of Colorado. In particular, they have supported our annual Girls' Leadership Council program by serving as an applicant and participating in a youth led grant making process and site visit. Smart Girl really understands girls and young women; our high school aged Girls' Leadership Council participants always feel respected by Smart Girl and are impressed by their transparent and authentic interactions with young women. It doesn't matter if you are a girl or young, Smart Girl gets you! They are a pleasure to work with and we are lucky to have them as a community partner.