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Quotes
What other professionals are saying about the North Star Program:
“North Star Girls Group at Camp has the potential to transform girls’ experience of summer camp from a positive experience to a life-changing one. Heidi Arizala Showman’s program is thoughtful, organized, flexible, and vibrant. Here’s hoping that her next project is an equally powerful curriculum for boys at camp!”
Dr. Christopher Thurber
Psychologist and Author of The Summer Camp Handbook
“The North Star Girls Group teaches girls to discover their voice . . . The girls in my school loved the North Star curriculum so much, they asked to continue the group beyond the time planned. The North Star Group addresses the issues and pressures that adolescent girls face daily, and then gives teenage girls the tools to help deal with these.”
Chabella McCarthy May, MSW
Youth and Family Counselor / North Star Facilitator
“The North Star Curriculum is a wonderful tool to use in facilitating girls groups, fostering solid relationships and a celebration of self. It is also an excellent resource to use in individual sessions with girls as well. I love it and will continue to use it in my therapy sessions!”
Carol Heinz, MA
Individual and Family Counselor
“What I love about the North Star Girls Group is the simplicity of it all. Getting girls to talk to each other, how easy. The difficult part is creating a safe environment and mediated formats to have these conversations; this is exactly what NSGG provides. It’s really inspiring to see how much girls share and connect during sessions. It is creating a positive and empowering outcome from something girls like to do anyway.”
Patti Dizon
Summer Camp Administrator / North Star Facilitator
“The North Star curriculum is a powerful tool in working with girls. It addresses topics relevant to their world, offering participants the opportunity to communicate their realities and gain a greater understanding and pride in themselves.”
Rachael Treiber, LMHC
Therapist in Private Practice / North Star Facilitator
“The thing I love most about North Star Girls is that it is simply laid out, easy to use, brings up a wide range of issues girls face, and creates a space for introspective dialog and self-esteem growth. The girls loved the journals, bead activity, and just about everything else.”
Peggy Rubens-Ellis, M.Ed.
Elementary School Counselor /Creative Crossings Founder
“The North Star Curriculum offers a much needed resource for those working with early adolescent girls. Designed and written by a highly respected licensed clinical social worker, this curriculum carefully and thoughtfully weaves both evidence-based and strengths-based approaches to facilitating girls groups.”
Dr. Bernadette Sangalang, Ph.D.
Social Work Researcher and Evaluator
Adolescent girls reflect on their experience in a North Star Group:
“I learned I’m my own person, and I don’t have to do things I don’t like to make someone else happy. I don’t have to change me to be liked.”
Whitney, age 13
“I learned that it is okay to say what is on your mind. I had a lot of fun. Thanks for helping me understand who I am.”
Natasha, age 12
“I think the biggest pressure in middle school is trying to fit in and be like other people, but you have to remember that you have to be yourself and you have to be unique.”
Carrie, age 14
“I liked writing about me, the real me . . . and not being fake.”
Sky, age 13
“North Star Girls group to me means girls coming together and sharing about our lives, problems, and other things. I’m really glad to be in North Star because I can be myself and share with other people what my life is about and not be laughed at or teased.”
Bianca, age 13
“I was a part of North Star for many years at camp. The class has opened my eyes to so many issues, ideas and opinions. It helps you feel comfortable with who you are. You really end up embracing the differences between everyone and become sensitive to why people do and think the things they do.”
Sarah, age 16
“Before I came in here, I didn’t think that I was much. It was nice to hear that everyone else is kind of like me. It’s nice to feel I’m not as odd as I thought. I’m really going to miss this. It helped me know who I am and learn about other people.”
Jessica, age 12
“I took North Star at camp every year I was there. North Star allows girls to discuss issues and problems [like] body image, stereotypes, relationships, double standards and all sorts of topics that should be brought to the attention of all teen girls. When someone says something, there is usually another girl thinking the exact same thing, creating unity and giving her the sense that she’s not alone. North Star is also a strong support group. Deep personal issues are brought up, but no judging occurs. This allows girls to feel that they have a safe place where they can talk about their problems. Oh North Star … how I love it so.”
Dorothy, age 16
“I learned that I need to follow what I believe in and go for what I think is true, and not let anything or anyone stand in the way of my North Star.”
Monica, age 13
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