Parenting Pointers: Encouraging Girls' Self-Esteem

With the pressure to fit in only seeming to become tougher and tougher, more girls today are suffering from low self-esteem. Recent statistics show that 7 in 10 girls believe that they are not good enough or don’t measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members. Instead of just making friend ship bracelets and singing around the campfire, Camp Ogichi-Daa-Kwe have made it their personal mission to empower the spirits of young women by teaching them that their worth is far more then the number the see on the scale or the number of Facebook friends they have. At the camp, the goal is to provide the girls with group activities that not only teach them about friendship but also teach them about their worth.

I had a chance to interview the camp director Kathy Dix to learn more about building girls' self esteem.


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What was the inspiration behind creating this camp?

Ogichi Daa Kwe fills a unique place in the camping world offering young women an opportunity to participate in a strong wilderness tripping program, and return year after year to a familiar

in-camp program that builds lifelong friendships. Ogichi’s community supports each girl in finding the joy of adventuring by canoe in the magical spirituality of the Canadian wilderness, as well as the joy of being amidst challenges, and living in balance with a peaceful mind, peaceful heart and peaceful spirit.

 

Why is it so important to focus on girls' self-worth and confidence?

We live in a culture where we are constantly surrounded by media images of tall, thin, perfectly sculpted beautiful women that make most girls and women feel inadequate in comparison. Stepping outside of that world, unplugging, and living in nature within a community that values perseverance, courage, kindness and true teamwork, the Ogichi girls learn to value themselves for their strong spirits.

How can parents help promote positive self-image with young girls?

Help them to measure themselves by real and obtainable character traits like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control rather than by their looks and possessions which are superficial and about which they have little control. Help them to find self-worth in contributing towards positive group goals, working hard, and making life better for others.

What are some ways that this camp helps promote confidence?

Ogichi Daa Kwe is an environment where young women experience not only the challenges of wilderness tripping and its esteemed sense of accomplishment, but a clarifying perspective on being female. In the wilderness, Ogichi girls acquire an understanding of their unlimited potential. They are challenged to overcome physical, mental and emotional adversity by paddling miles in diverse weather conditions, and portaging difficult terrain with heavy loads requiring a cooperative group effort to be successful. The simplification in lifestyle is purifying.  Perhaps like nowhere else, wilderness tripping places value on qualities that are in harmony with true nature. Amidst the fun and adventure of wilderness tripping, young women experience an environment where giving of oneself, appreciation of others, courage and perseverance are the attitudes and behaviors necessary to complete their expedition. These attitudes and behaviors are what the community of Ogichi Daa Kwe values. Sharing this culture with others, even for the short period of a camp session, has transformative power in the lives of young women and builds friendships strong enough to grow throughout the changes and years of their lives.

Located on beautiful Rainy Lake’s mainland shore, Ogichi is situated on Frank’s Bay. Neighboring our site is the pristine wilderness of Voyageur’s National Park, preserved as it has been for thousands of years. Collaboration, camaraderie, brainstorming and elbow grease combine to make staff training an irresistible perk to being employed by Ogichi for the summer. There is no other picture that more perfectly illustrates lifelong community, than the now intricately braided lives of these remarkable friends sharing the work and life they love.

In-camp sessions purr along with diverse activity classes ranging from yoga to tubing, climbing, riflery and archery, fishing, sailing, waterskiing and photography.  On rainy days songwriting is a favorite as well as arts and crafts featuring projects like hand-made moccasins, batik, tie-die, duct-tape wallets and weaving.

In the wilderness, Ogichi girls acquire an understanding of their unlimited potential. They are challenged to overcome physical, mental and emotional adversity by paddling miles in diverse weather conditions, and portaging difficult terrain with heavy loads requiring a cooperative group effort to be successful.

The simplification in lifestyle is purifying.  Perhaps like nowhere else, wilderness tripping places value on qualities that are in harmony with true nature.

While nature refreshes and nurtures inner strength, tripping relies upon and reinforces awareness of inner strength. Ogichi Daa Kwe’s culture reflects respect overall for Strong Spirited Women.

Being part of Ogichi’s beginning, is like being let in on a special secret. Our small, intimate size allows us to operate as a family with vertical friendships between participants of all ages. It’s so much fun to be part of something brand new. The excitement bonds each of us to each other, the mission, the vision and the work of Ogichi.

Ogichi girls learn, they teach, they fail, and they are triumphant, but at the end of the day, it’s in sharing our evening Grateful Circle that we discover together the joy of being alive.

Amidst the fun and adventure of wilderness tripping, young women experience an environment where giving of oneself, appreciation of others, courage and perseverance are the attitudes and behaviors necessary to complete their expedition.

These attitudes and behaviors are what the community of Ogichi Daa Kwe values. Sharing this culture with others, even for the short period of a camp session, has transformative power in the lives of young women.