Twelve girls made up the third year and class of 2010 Go Girl Go! Running camp recently held at the Brewton Area YMCA.

The camp, lead by Rebecca Jordan, was held Monday-Thursday at the Y for girls in the third grade through the eighth grade.

“A running camp for girls was something that weighed heavily on my mind when I first moved to Brewton,” Jordan said. “I was sadly shocked at the lack of athletic opportunities young females have in this town. In my opinion, co-ed sports just don’t make the cut.”

Jordan said the Go, Girl, Go! running camp is designed to raise self-esteem in young ladies through running and exercise.

“Each day I taught the girls different aspects of running, and they practiced being physically fit,” Jordan said. “We also played character building running games.

“Each day had a theme for discussion and activity. We focused on healthy eating and eating disorders, positive body image, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, and dealing with feelings of anger. I used materials provided by the Women’s Sports Foundation to aide in the daily lessons.”

Jordan also said that Mrs. Vivian Layton at the Y was a tremendous help by teaching and leading the girls in a yoga sessions every day, followed by helping them make a healthy snack.

“The message on the final day of camp is one that I think all women (young and old) need to work on,” Jordan said. “It is the message that all females deserve to feel good about themselves and should avoid low self-esteem at all costs.

“It is my hope that through education and physical activity, young ladies in Brewton will grow to be confident and healthy.”

The camp, which was held from 10 a.m. to noon each day, focused on running sessions, character education, strengthening exercises, and encouraged girls to have a wholesome lifestyle and a healthy self-image, promote self-esteem, respect, and confidence, endorse acceptance and the respect of others along with learning to become great leaders.