Power of Being a Girl Teen 2023

Power of Being a Girl Teen has been postponed. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming sessions!

Power of Being a Girl TEEN (grades 9-12) is a free, full-day conference that focuses on empowerment, learning from leaders, and engaging workshops. This event is for all cis and trans women, as well as non-binary people who are comfortable in a space that centres on the experiences of girls.

Conference Agenda

Morning Session

Supporting a Culture of Change (Workshop)

This session, in partnership with the Centre for Sexuality, will focus on themes including gender stereotypes, healthy relationships, consent, and being an engaged bystander. Attendees will learn practical tools to help respond to harmful actions/comments. This session will empower youth to engage in conversations about situations they have experienced.

This is a space for everyone to be heard. Through this workshop, the facilitators will also gain a better understanding of the current issues that grade 9-12 students are experiencing, using this to better inform our future programming in the community.

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Lunch Break

Lunch is included with registration.

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Afternoon Sessions

Forest Bathing with Ronna Schneberger

Originating in Japan, Forest Bathing is a nature-based intervention that supports people to engage with nature in a structured way to improve mental health and well being.

It allows you to connect with nature in a way that is relaxing, respectful and rejuvenating. The walk helps you feel relaxed and at ease while gaining mental and physical health benefits. Research has found that exposure to nature can reduce cortisol levels, boost your immune system, balance blood pressure and can help in resetting your nervous system. Research has also found that exposure to nature decreased depression and rumination, acting as a type of “reset button” for the brain.

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Learning from Leaders

Attendees will be introduced to four female leaders in the Bow Valley who will speak about their journeys in getting to where they are today. These four speakers include:

• Ellie Crabb – a social media influencer in the Bow Valley who focuses on breaking down body stereotypes in the outdoors.
• Fathima Fahim – a counsellor and Sri Lankan athlete who has partnered with several non-profit organizations to help people affected by the 2004 Tsunami.
• Micaela Klutz – a leader in the mountain guide industry.
• Emily Swerdfager –  an ecology-based researcher in several national parks, working to help fight the climate crisis.

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