CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Chicago Public Schools students won’t be in class this Friday, so the Chicago Park District is stepping in and hosting its annual “Girls Day of Play.”
Girls ages 6 to 15 will have access to a variety of sports, recreational games, and physical and educational activities during the free, all-day series.
“We will be focusing the activities on providing some sports skills, drills and different games,” said Program and Event Coordinator Jamie Teichmann. “But parks will also be working to incorporate some recreational activities that could be arts and crafts, dance, cheer, anything like that.”
Roughly 18 parks across the city are participating from the North Side to the Far South Side.
The Girls P.L.A.Y. (Positivity, Leadership, Ambition, Be You!) initiative launched in 2018 when the park district noticed a lack of participation in sports for girls compared to boys.
“We found some additional evidence through some research that touches on the fact that there's an increase in drop off for girls as well, who participate in sports,” added Teichmann.
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Nearly 67% of the women surveyed in the Always ‘Like a Girl’ Study said that they felt society doesn’t encourage girls to play sports.
The Chicago Park District “Girls Play Initiative” works to expand opportunities for girls in sports and ensure that young women have equal access to recreational offerings in their communities.
Face masks are required and participants must follow the park district’s updated COVID-19 vaccine policy as well.
Registration and information can be found online at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/girls-play.
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