Issue based critical thinking and discussions involved intellect, emotions and the promotion of action based solutions.  Each day revolved around a specific issue.  The issues that were covered included:

• healthy relationships
• violence prevention
• self-defense
• self-esteem and body image
• racism and discrimination
• media influence

Activities served as a springboard for critical analysis and developing solutions for the above identified issues:

• brainstorming
• role playing
• discussion circles
• drawing
• music
• popular theatre exercises

The learning spiral of the Popular Education method was incorporated in every session in order to identify shared experiences, to engage in collective discussions and develop solutions and alternative actions. 

The final week was dedicated to planning, organizing and implementing a social activism event.  By using the Popular Education tools, the girls chose in a democratic and inclusive process, a socio-political issue that they felt had impact on their lives.  The group was directly involved in every aspect of the planning process:

• selecting the issue - Racism and Discrimination
• deciding on the form of action - a protest to raise awareness
• developing an action plan
• deciding on location
• designing pamphlets, information brochures, rally chants and posters

The Girls Speak Up!

March Break Camp ’08
The March Break week was busy with artistic buzz!   An enthusiastic group of eight diverse girls aged eleven to eighteen explored how theatre and other art forms can be used to explore social issues and to practice positive problem solving. 
The issue of Racism and Discrimination was carried forward from the previous PowerZone Summer Camp and thematically coincided with the approaching International Day of The Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21st. 

Conversations and group discussions on the issue were assisted by a co-facilitator who posed questions to the group that sparked thought on healthy self identity, their relationship with their peers, community and how the rest of the world related to them on systemic and relational levels. 

The objective of the week was to explore popular theatre by incorporating methodology of Theatre of The Oppressed and using those tools to assemble a popular theatre presentation that speaks on the issue of focus.  The group worked as a unified team to name the event, assign roles, prepare show billets and rehearse the format of the presentation.  The presentation was made to a gathering of friends, family and the St. Joseph Immigrant Women's Centre team.  

Different media of artistic expression were introduced by interesting and thought-provoking field trips:

• The Art Gallery of Hamilton
• The Print Studio
• YWCA Art Expo “Beautiful Women Project” by Cheryl Ann Webster

Special guests came in to introduce more physically active ways of self expression, such as Yoga and a newer fitness practice called Nia - a holistic cardiovascular workout that uses an easily adaptable movement blend of martial arts, dance and yoga.