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Conference Aims to Build Self-confidence and Resilience in Pre-Teen Girls


Equipping young girls and their moms with the tools to achieve emotional success and build resiliency is the focus of the 2nd annual Shine On! Conference, an overnight event for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade girls on Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29, at the CVPH Wellness Center.

Through a grant from the CVPH Foundation and in association with the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York, SUNY Plattsburgh students have created a conference centered on educating about media misrepresentations and building self-esteem and resiliency to better prepare young girls to face the pressures of middle school.

The event will open with Bridget Shanahan from WPTZ speaking on the importance of self-confidence. Other highlights include counselors from the Pok-O-MacCready Outdoor Education Center who will provide participants with communication tools to help them resist social pressures and stand strong and confident. Singer/songwriter Bridget Ball-Shaw will lead a writing workshop for girls to express themselves through song. The completed song will be performed at the end of the conference Sunday. A sampling of workshops includes media misrepresentations, healthy eating, yoga, Zumba and bracelet beading. There will also be time to swim in the pool.

New this year is a separate workshop on Sunday morning dedicated just to moms that promotes techniques to strengthen the mother-daughter bond and give moms communication tips on how to talk to their daughters about the social pressures they’ll face growing up. The mom workshops include “How to Recognize and Talk to your Daughter About Eating Disorders” with Ilene Leshinsky, licensed clinical social worker and creator of the Body Sense Program; “Drive Thru Dilemma: Healthy Meals on the Go” with Jeff Vallee, SUNY Plattsburgh campus dietitian; and “Social Media and Bullying: Fun Ways You Can Strengthen Your Daughter’s Resiliency” with Amy LaPage, school community coordinator through CVES.

The conference is open to all girls in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. There is a suggested donation of $5 for the conference which can be accepted at the door. Pre-registration is necessary, as there is a limit to the number of participants. Registration will be accepted through Monday, April 23, or until the conference is full. Food will be provided by Smooth Moves.

Registration is also required in advance for the mom workshop. A $10 pre-registration fee is required and includes a light breakfast.

To learn more, contact Colleen Lemza at 518-564-2408.

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