Women'Sports Wire

Grassroots

Girls on the Move...On Course with Outward Bound

Girls on the Move

PORTLAND, OR. Girls on the Move is a special event of Outward Bound USA. The innovative journey started in Portland, OR. On Sept. 17th and will finish in New York City on November 18th. The program combines a 10-week cross-country bicycling expedition with community outreach events and educational initiatives to celebrate strong women and raise awareness about the need to inspire, empower, and unite girls around the country.

Events along with the cycling route will connect girls with positive role models, provide parents and educators with tips and tools for raising self-esteem, and focus communities nationwide on the kinds of activities and behaviors that help develop strong women.

Girls on the Move will be riding into thousands of communities across America and working with students of all ages. Partnered with public schools, Girl Scouts USA, Girls Incorporated and the YWCA the creative program aims to bring quality programming and fun activities to women and girls nationwide.

A remarkable group of women from all walks of life have been selected from hundreds of applicants to participate in a 3,865 mile journey from Portland, Oregon to New York City. A team of 20 riders will make the entire 10 week journey. Along the way, they will be joined by 40 stage riders who will be participating for three, 3 week stages, celebrities and people like you, joining the "Girls Ride" in your local community.

This diverse group of role-models will face intense physical challenge as they travel up to 100 miles a day, stopping in communities along the route to connect with girls, parents, mentors and teachers.

In 5 major cities along the route, the riders will perform extensive educational and community outreach and participate in exciting Girls Festivals. The festivals will use entertainment, interactive exhibits and celebrity appearances to celebrate girls and women and to focus communities on the kinds of activities and behaviors that develop strong women. Every major city or community stay site will have a 5-10 mile Girls Ride for all interested members to ride together in celebration of girls.

[For more information regarding Girls on the Move and/or Outward Bound visit the website at obgotm.org or call 1-800-437-6071. Source: Melissa Wickman, Girls On the Move, Outward Bound.]