Last Friday evening I hosted my sixth annual Girl Talk event. In its inception, the program was a sleepover. That lasted two years, and then I realized that I could get just as much accomplished at an after-hours event with the girls leaving at 9:30pm while maintaining my sanity. Every program is scheduled to the minute with a variety of crafts, games, and skits that incorporate the them "Be Proud, Be Yourself." I sneak in conversation and dialogue about self-esteem and the negative impacts of media, but I don't make it the main focus. Instead, my hope is that each participant will come to see the library, and its librarians, as a safe zone, a welcoming environment where they can discover their own passions and interests, exactly as they are.
As an example, here was the itinerary for this year:
5-5:15 | Welcome/Introduction | |||
5:15-6 | Scavenger Hunt | |||
6-6:45 | Water Gun Art | |||
6:45-7:30 | Trivia/Snacks | |||
7:30-8:15 | Nail Art | |||
8:15-8:45 | Bracelets | |||
8:45-9:20 | Sardines | |||
9:20-9:30 | Goodbye/Pickup |
In the past, we've made journals, dream boards, bath soaps, scented lotion, tie-dye totes, and friendship bracelets, just to name a few. The night is really wide open for the interests of the girls. Each year we end with a survey to find out what they liked/didn't like, and plan accordingly for the next year.
The program quickly became one of my favorites, and I still look forward to it each June!
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