Just For Girls

Just for Girls is a program for grade 7 girls held in local schools. It was designed to help girls safely navigate the rocky road through adolescence while maintaining their dignity and self-esteem.

The program was originally developed to prevent eating disorders and to discuss body-image issues but it has become much more than that.

Just for Girls provides an opportunity for girls to talk about issues that may influence their self-confidence and helps them develop skills to combat negative experiences resulting from peer pressure and conflicts with friends.

Format of the Program

Grade 7 girls are given a short presentation about the program and then given an opportunity to join. Parental/guardian permission is required. Each session takes place over the lunch hour and the first 10 – 15 minutes of each session will be kept open for the girls to eat their lunch. The first couple of sessions are set up to allow the girls to get to know each other and the facilitators before they move into talking about specific topics. Each topic is addressed in a way that will keep the girls interested and encourage them participate.The groups are offered during lunch hour over ten weeks, in either a fall or winter session.

Each group generates their own set of issues to discuss. Common issues include:

  • friends
  • rejection by peers
  • body image
  • health
  • communication
  • feelings
  • peer pressure
  • families
  • media

How it Works

Interactive and affirming games are played to encourage a positive feeling of self-worth. Role play and experiential exercises are used to identify ways to cope with difficult situations. Feelings and experiences are validated. Group discussion, journalling and art projects are used to help girls discuss issues and develop a positive sense of themselves and their abilities.

Group Leaders

Just for Girls is facilitated by trained university practicum students and AYC staff who work under the supervision of the Practicum Coordinator and the Supervisor of Recreation.


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How to Join

Just for Girls is being held at the following schools this fall:

  • Chief Dan George
  • Reimer
  • Clayburn
  • Abby Traditional
  • Abby Middle
  • Howe

Download and fill in the Permission Form

We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia