Unilever collaborates with the Women’s Sports Foundation and the Girl Scouts - Chicago Council to promote self-esteem, physical activity and life lessons for Chicago’s girls
Published: June 9, 2008
In its second year, the GoGirlGo! Chicago Vitality Camp encouraged 122 girls to participate and continue to participate in regular physical activity through a full weekend event May 29 - June 1, 2008, at Camp Butternut Springs in Valparaiso, Ind.
Unilever sponsored the GoGirlGo! Chicago Grant and Education Program for 2008, volunteer coordination of Unilever staff to assist at camp, and monetary and donated goods support that contributed to the success of Vitality Camp. A silent sponsor provided monetary support to ensure the success and growth of the camp from one overnight session to two overnight sessions and to include a visible public education component. The Girl Scouts of Chicago contributed its expertise in site coordination and delivered a memorable experience. The Women’s Sports Foundation provided technical assistance to bring the administrative, recruitment and funding elements of the camp together to create a two overnight impact experience for Chicago-area girls that have never experienced an overnight camp before.
The experience included a DOVE Inner Beauty workshop, kickball, soccer, yoga, swimming, field games, healthy meals and the National Health Information Award-winning GoGirlGo! Curriculum — all under the tutelage and attention of 45 positive role models. The camp experience was completely FREE and included round-trip transportation. Every girl took home a goody bag packed full of Unilever personal care products.
As a featured event within GoGirlGo! Chicago Week, May 26-June 1, 2008, girls ranging in age from 8-16 from Austin Peoples Action Center, Beloved Community Family, CEP Youth Leadership, Chicago Boxing Youth Club, Chicago Park District: Kosciuszko Park, Sherwood Park, Trumbull Park, Girl Scout Troops, Girl Space of Girl Scouts, NINA Foundation and Round Lake Area Park District participated in GoGirlGo! Chicago Vitality Camp.
Quotes from participants
“One thing I learned at camp was: To be myself and not a follower.”
(left justify this line on each quote)— Ashley Black, 12, Girl Scout
“I love the camp activities.”
— Sade, 10, Girl Scout
“I think this was the best camping trip I’ve ever been on because it was a new experience with other campers.”
— Kiara Martillo, 10, Kosciuszko Park
“It was great. I met new people and had fun. I would like to come during the summer.”
— Choice Johnson, 11,
Beloved Community Family Services
“Vitality camp was the perfect opportunity to bring the members of GoGirlGo! together. They made new friends, learned new sports and new settings to provide social interaction between all girls.”
— Alexis Moreno, Leader, Kosciuszko Park
“Every girl should have this chance when they are still young enough to have it and make a big difference.”
— Volunteer
GoGirlGo! Chicago would like to acknowledge Unilever, the Girls Scouts of Chicago, our unnamed donor and the individuals and organizations who participated in GoGirlGo! Chicago Vitality Camp with the honor and recognition they all deserve. The life-touching camp experience could not have occurred without the help of these volunteers and leaders, whose assistance went above and beyond the call of duty. The amazing teamwork created a safe space for the girls, and 83% of all participants said they would participate in again next year if given the chance.
Thank you and congratulations to all the volunteers, leaders, organizations, sponsors and participating girls on a very successful 2008 GoGirlGo! Chicago Vitality Camp. We look forward to expanding the collaboration base and touching the lives of even more girls in 2009!