Activities for Girls That Build Self Esteem

The Girl Scouts

• One of the most well-known girls programs in the nation, The Girl Scouts of America prides itself on actively working to improve the self-esteem of participants. By encouraging members to volunteer, to work toward and accomplish goals, and to learn responsibility by raising money for activities and events, The Girl Scouts provides many opportunities for girls to feel accomplished and successful. Plus, members have the opportunity to make lifetime friends, one of the most powerful combatants to low self-esteem. The organization also deals directly with self-esteem issues that sometimes abound among girls, including body-image and gender equality issues. Simply talking about these problems can make girls better prepared to deal with them outside of the Scouts.

Girls on the Run

• Created in 1996 by Molly Barker (a triathlete), this program encourages girls to build self-esteem while they run. With programs in more than 160 communities in the U.S. and Canada, Girls on the Run brings local girls together as they train for a 5K run. Local communities and schools typically organize these groups, which meet twice weekly to train physically and also engage in important teamwork and self-esteem building activities. And when the big day finally rolls around, no times or places are kept and the race is meant to foster feelings of self-worth, success and friendship between participants.

Wilderness Programs

• There are certain wilderness programs, such as the Aspen Achievement Academy, that combat low-self esteem in troubled girls through wilderness programs and camping excursions. Participants are challenged to live in the wilderness and are taught to accomplish such tasks as starting fires, building shelters, cooking outdoors and carrying all supplies with them in backpacks. Succeeding at these tasks is only the beginning of how this program seeks to build self-esteem. As girls accomplish more tasks (without the help of boyfriends or parents), they progress through different levels of the program and are often offered leadership roles that encourage the assertive confidence needed for high self-esteem.

Martial Arts

• Training in martial arts not only increases self-confidence, it also empowers girls by giving them the skills and confidence needed to defend themselves in emergency situations. Martial arts can be an experience with many rewards. Girls are encouraged to engage in strenuous physical and mental exercises, allowing them to stay fit as they learn the techniques of the style. Respect, to one another and to the self, is a required aspect of virtually every style of martial arts. And, as girls improve in ability, martial arts offer tangible rewards in the form of progression among the ranks and added responsibility. Girls that are higher ranks are encouraged to take up leadership positions in class. Success in encouraging and helping others can allow the self-esteem of girls to flourish.