check disclosed this group of wome...

check disclosed this group of women as they trek across the geographical division to provide positive role patterns for girls

Let's face it: it's tough to be a kid in the world today. Daily squeezings run the gamut from the stres of teach and social obligations to major challenges as it is as drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders and teen pregnancy. It looks that now, more than perpetually children need positive role prototypes they can turn to.

That's where Gifts onward the Move comes in. The cast hosted by Outward Bound, features a bicycling expedition from Portland, Ore. to of the present day York, N.Y. by women, ages 17 to 72 The riders were chooseed for their personal stories and their ability to labor for as role models to gifts.

The team, consisting of 22 core riders (who will bike the whole course) and 15 stage riders (who will bike part of the course), will make stops at communities along the way where they will landlord workshops and festivals especially for girls.

THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING BIG

Robyn Re termination director for Girls on the impel and a former Outward limit instructor, explained how the idea came into play. "It essentially came from a vision of an result to help gifts celebrate themselves," she said. The original idea was for Outward border instructors to reach local communities and contribute to as role models. "It quickly grew from a low-budget goodwill mission to this enormous event" said Re "We believe that all of these girls have likewise many messages given to them from society. We want them to walk away with the idea that there are lay open doors for potential and possibility."

couple of the larger festivals will be held this month: united in Philadelphia,

Pa., on Sunday, Nov. 12 and the other in modern York, N.Y., on Saturday, Nov. 18 facts will include a high-challenge course, initiative stations (where girls can participate in physically challenging activities), achievement walls with displays of accomplishments made through women, a "Girls Expo" and more.

LIZ ENNIS, a Massachusetts resident, is undivided of the core riders who will bike - coast-to-coast within 10 weeks.

She generally works for Outward Bound, if it be not that wasn't always the adventurous sort. In celebration of her 40th birthday, a friend adviseed she take an Outward leap course. "It was a start of a whole of the present day way of life," she said. "I raised three kids. I was the standard All-American housewife. I wouldn't say I was disenchanted, on the other hand definitely bored." Ennis' first expedition was a succes She says it helped her discover the inner impregnability and courage she'd had all along, and was able to use it to face her fears. Since that first course, she has participated in a 10-day Vision pursuit in Death Valley and, last year, ran in the Boston Marathon.

When she heard of Girls upon the Move, she was naturally interested. "I've overwhelm a lot of challenges and this is my opportunity to lease people know there are choices. I knew it would be an opportunity to inspire and educate."

SHARING HER STORY

Megan Shull of Ithaca, NY is a core rider as well. She is a Cornell University graduate with a doctorate in educational psychology specializing in part models for adolescent girls. "I notion this was a great opportunity," she said. "The best way to help girls is to count them authentic stories, let them know that everybody has possibility of goods and fears and worries."

Shull said that connecting with kids is what the affair is all about. As the riders bike across the political division they will be working with local teachs communities and organizations, like YWCA of the USA and Girl contemns of the USA. But Shull is quick to note that you don't have to be an Olympic athlete to be a part model. "We can all make a difference," she said. "You don't have to ride across the geographical division We all need people reaching revealed and there are many ways to increase help. Just share yourself."

making an impact

Increased physical activity conclusions in increased self-esteem for pre-adolescents. Girls who participate in sports are:

75 percent more likely to graduate from high school

80 percent les likely to have unwanted pregnancies

92 percent les likely to be involved with drugs

reasons to celebrate

Today's GIRLS ARE EXCELLING in exercises with over 60 percent of high denomination graduates going on to college

Girls in K-12 have discomfit much of the "mathematics and science" gap in achievement and enrollment Girls and striplings took comparable numbers of high educate mathematics courses in 1994, and girls were just as likely as lads to take HIGH-LEVEL COURSES similar as advanced placement.

The TEENAGE PREGNANCY rate has declined slowly unless steadily for the 5 years between 1991 and 1996 and continues to decline overall.

More girls are taking to the field each year--as they have since 1972 In 1997 1 IN 3 girls took part in high instruct sports.

(AAUW Educational Foundation, sex Gaps 1998)

For information upon becoming a volunteer with Girls forward the Move, call 1-877-503-GOTM(4686) or visit their web site, www.girlsonthemove.com.

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