It鈥檚 the kind of program Nicole Stetz wishes she had when she was a tween.

Integrating friendship, mentorship, personal development and exercise into a two hour session each week, Sole Girls helps young girls ages 8 to 12 navigate through their tween years by building self-esteem and confidence.

鈥淚t has this special place in my heart because it鈥檚 a safe space where girls can come and be uniquely them,鈥� said Stetz, a Walnut Grove native, who is partnering with the Township to launch the nine-week program in 91原创 next week.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity to make new friends, meet new people and talk about things going on in their lives. Tweenhood is such a hard time, and it鈥檚 when they are figuring out who they are. It鈥檚 a time that is also so heavily influenced outside by forces. The girls can come to this place and know that who they are is perfect, it鈥檚 great, it鈥檚 who they need to be.鈥�

Sole Girls 鈥� which stands for support, open-minded, love and enthusiasm 鈥� was founded in North Vancouver five years ago by Ashley Wiles, a life coach and Ironman competitor, who was inspired to create the program by the Amanda Todd YouTube video about suicide.

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After much success in the Vancouver area, Sole Girls is expanding to the Fraser Valley for the first time. Stetz is leading nine-week sessions at Richard Bulpitt Elementary on Saturday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m. (beginning Jan. 13) and Wednesday nights from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (beginning Jan. 17).

There will also be a free class offered on Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. as part of the Township鈥檚 鈥渢ry it free week.鈥�

鈥淢y personal mission in life is to spread more love in this world, and empowering children, specifically, to spread that love. So that is really why I wanted to get into it, and I just love what Sole Girls stood for,鈥� Stetz said.

鈥淚 want to give girls the tools that I learned at an older age so they can be better equipped to face life鈥檚 challenges and navigate that crazy (tween) age. If they have that strong foundation, they are better able to stick to the values of who they are and make smarter choices that will make them happy and strong females.鈥�

The classes are split 50/50 between indoor and outdoor activities. In the first half, the girls discuss topics such as friendship, health, nutrition, goal setting and anxiety, before heading outdoors to explore nature and exercise. They also practise long distance running, at the end of the nine weeks, participate in a 5 km fun run.

鈥淔or me, personally, running is one thing that鈥檚 really so beneficial for my mental health,鈥� Stetz said.

鈥淎nd being outdoors 鈥� that grounding, natural setting 鈥� it鈥檚 inspiring, it鈥檚 energizing. Being in that environment is also so great for your mental health. It鈥檚 definitely a tool that I have used for the last two years.鈥�

Each nine-week program costs $279 and is open to girls from all communities in the Lower Mainland. To register, visit and type in keyword 鈥渟ole girls.鈥�

Stetz also offers workshops, day camps, and weekly sessions to other community groups and schools. Those interested can email solegirlslangley@hotmail.com.

For more on Sole Girls, visit .

miranda@langleytimes.com
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