Let’s “Power Up” and stop bullying
More than 140 Girl Scouts, including many from Castle Pines, attended Power Up on February 6 at the Castle Rock Recreation Center.
Article and photo by Elean Gersack
Bullying, teasing, gossiping, being left out — no way, no more! On Saturday, February 6, fourteen area Girl Scout Troops with girls ranging from third to sixth grade attended Power Up – a program focused on teaching girls how to recognize bullying and tackle it head-on. More than 140 girls and 33 adults took part in the sleepover event held at the Castle Rock Recreation Center.
Concerned with behaviors she was seeing in her own third grade troop, as well as behaviors she was hearing about at school, Cindy Mendus identified the Power Up program and approached Girl Scout Council about offering it. Council agreed to provide the facilitators if she organized the girls and venue. So, Mendus took the training class, secured Castle Rock Recreation Center and hoped maybe 30 to 40 girls would participate.
According to Mendus, a mom, Girl Scout leader and champion of this Power Up event, girls tend to get caught up in verbal bullying like name calling, exclusion, shunning and gossip. Power Up focuses on these issues and also promotes self-awareness and self-confidence. “Girl Scouts strive for girls to find their power, both personally and in numbers and to stand up against bullying instead of just standing by. Do nothing? Not an option. That’s our mantra,” said Mendus.
The evening consisted of three and a half hours of Power Up teaching, dinner, swimming, playing and a showing of the anti-bullying themed movie, An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong.
Mendus was completely overwhelmed with the response of 141 girls. “There is clearly a need for this type of programming/information in our girls’ lives. So many [moms] have e-mailed me detailing their daughters’ situations at school and their feeling of helplessness to intercede. They are so appreciative to have had an opportunity to learn like this,” said Mendus.
Special thanks go out to Mike Kilman and the Castle Rock Recreation Center for supporting this event. “Without this kind of community support, this program could not have touched the lives of these 141 young women,” said Mendus.
