SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAMS
Girls in the Game provides sports, health and leadership programs in partnership with schools, parks and community centers in Chicago. Participants can try a variety of sports like soccer, lacrosse, yoga or volleyball in a friendly, non-competitive environment while also learning about important health and leadership topics like self-advocacy and positive body image. Our programs include after school programs, a summer camp, clinics, one-time programs and teen programs!
Pool Party - Oct 13
Join us for a day of swimming, a free swimsuit, lunch, and more!
Girls in the Game is going swimming at the McCormick YMCA! Bus transportation, free lunch and a brand-new swimsuit are included for girls attending the event. The pool has max depths of 4ft., and swim instructors will be on site for lessons.
Where: Bus will leave Douglass Park Fieldhouse (1401 S Sacramento Dr.) at 9:30 am for the McCormick YMCA (1834 N Lawndale Ave.)
What: Swimming, free swimsuit, and free lunch
When: Monday, October 13, 10 am - 3 pm
Who: 3rd - 8th grade girls
Sherman Park Game Day - Oct 27
Learn soccer with the Chicago Stars, along with other fun sports and leadership activities at this free event! Attendees should bring their own lunch and water bottle.
Where: Sherman Park (1301 W 52nd St)
What: Soccer with the Chicago Stars, plus more sports, health and leadership activities
When: Monday, October 27, 10 am - 2 pm
Who: 3rd - 8th grade girls
Play soccer with the Chicago Stars FC!
After School
“I think it's important for girls to get the chance to play sports because sometimes people think we can't do it, but we can!”
Participants try new sports, learn about health and leadership, make friends and connect with positive, caring coaches through our After School program. Once a week, participants in elementary and middle school participate in our 90-minute of fun sports, health and leadership curriculum. The program is free to participants, takes place within their school building, and we bring all the necessary sports equipment.
Our sports curriculum includes both traditional and non-traditional sports, like basketball, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, yoga, tennis and more! Middle School participants work towards a leadership project during their season, either leading a session of programming for younger Girls in the Game participants, interviewing a leader in their school or a community service project.
One-Time
One-Time Programs
“Girls in the Game makes me feel proud about being a girl.”
Game Days
Get in the game with a Game Day at your school, park or community location! Game Days are a fun way to get girls excited about Girls in the Game programs and physical activity. Game Days are between 1-3 hours long where participants rotate between fun, engaging sport, health and leadership stations. Game Days can take place during school hours, after school or on a day of non-attendance for elementary, middle school or high school. We bring the sports equipment and coaching staff, all at no cost to you.
Days of Play & Clinics
Days of Play bring together elementary and middle school participants from across Chicago to try new sports and participate in health and leadership topics on days off school. We provide bus transportation with bus stops throughout the city to bring girls to a central park location where they rotate through sports, health and leadership stations with exciting guest coaches! Days of Play typically run from 10 am – 2 pm, with 5-6 stations throughout the day.
Elementary and middle school participants can join Girls in the Game on extended breaks from school at one of our clinics! Clinics are multi-day events where participants try new sports and learn about health and leadership topics. Participants from across the city are welcome to attend.
Teen Squad
“My favorite thing about Girls in the Game is the constant support, opportunities, and empowerment. There's never a moment where you feel like you don't belong because everyone is always willing to help you and welcome you. Girls in the Game is more than just a program, it's a big life-changing family that you become a part of when you join."
In Girls in the Game's Teen Squad program, teens from across the city can earn scholarship money, support and coach younger participants, develop leadership skills, connect with other teens and choose their own schedule. Teen Squad is an application-based program with limited spots; once accepted, teens go through our coach training to practice their coaching skills. Other activities throughout the school year include field trips, interviews with local business leaders, professional and personal development workshops and other fun activities!
Teen Club
“I get to talk and get into deep conversations and talking about things for the future we might need.”
Teens take the lead in our site-based, participant-driven Teen Club programs at their high schools, community center or other similar facilities. Teen Club consists of an 8-12 week season of leadership development, social-emotional and health curriculum and physical activity. Teens work towards a leadership project like an interview with a community leader or community service project throughout the season.
Girls in the Game also provides trauma-informed programs in residential facilities like the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center where teens can stay active and develop their leadership skills.