Letter: Get ready for Brave New Girls adventure at YMCA

To the Editor:

On Thursday March 14, the American Association of University Women Red Wing Area Branch will welcome middle school girls to the 10th annual Brave New Girls Conference.

The 2013 theme is "Stretch Yourselves!" and the event takes place at the Red Wing YMCA. It's tempting to guess that the afternoon will be about exercise and fitness. It is that and more!

The girls will stretch their bodies during a group Zumba! workout, a wildly popular, fun fitness experience. The girls will stretch their imaginations by exploring careers in health and fitness with Dr. Amy DeJong of Mayo Health System in Red Wing; Dawn Bennett, massage therapist and owner of Body Kneads; and Martha Harris, fitness director at the Red Wing YMCA. Liz Knapp, Mayo Clinic Health Health in Red Wing director of nutrition services, will present "Snack Attack," where the girls will explore ideas about wellness, healthy weight and food choices.

AAUW member Sandy Wollschlager, a 3M science wizard, usually brings a hands-on experiment to the conference and this year is no exception. Sandy and the girls will explore some secrets of food science by crafting ready-to-bake bread.

We'll wrap up with a pizza party.

Bus transportation to the Y following dismissal at Twin Bluff Middle School is provided; parents should pick their students up at the Y at 6:30 p.m.

We're certain your girls will be excited to show off their conference T-shirts and tell you about the afternoon.

This event is offered at no cost to the 60 girls who register and attend. That only happens because individuals and organizations in our community offer very generous support. The 2013 sponsors include AAUW, Red Wing Community Education, Red Wing YMCA and Xcel Energy, along with our presenters and their employers who share passion, expertise and time.

There's still time to register. Forms are available at the Y and Twin Bluff Middle School. Or register online at http://redwing.k12.mn.us (click on the Community Education tab).

We're looking forward to meeting the 10th class of Brave New Girls!

Erin Yoemans and Marilyn Meinke

Red Wing

Erin Yoemans and Marilyn Meinke are co-chairs Brave New Girls.

Tags: opinion, letters