Active Girls-Healthy Girls
Active Girls – Healthy Girls (AGHG) emphasizes joy, confidence, and health through movement. We partner with community partners and the local community to promote education, access, and opportunities for girls to stay physically active, fostering a lifetime of joy, confidence, and health.
Our Mission
The mission of Active Girls – Healthy Girls (AGHG) is to provide sport, exercise, and physical activity opportunities for girls through evidence-based life lessons and a community-based emphasis on wellness. We aim to understand the unique needs and cultures in our neighborhoods, building sustainable community relationships to develop innovative, accessible, and engaging programs for adolescent girls. Grounded in our core values—Leadership, Joy, Opportunity, Values, Equity, Relationship, Training, and Advocacy—AGHG empowers girls to move with confidence, discover their strengths, and foster meaningful connections.
Through our programming, girls are encouraged to explore the joys and benefits of physical activity, helping them forge a lifelong relationship with movement and well-being.
AGHG History
Active Girls – Healthy Girls (AGHG) grew out of the Program for the Advancement of Girls and Women in Sport and Physical Activity (PAGWSPA), established in 2010 with support from the Society of Health and Physical Educators. After the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS) was dismantled, the Center for Women’s Health and Wellness (CWHW) at UNC Greensboro carried the mission forward—shifting the focus to innovative, community-based programs designed to support and empower girls through physical activity.
After launching our first AGHG Camp in Spring 2024, the program quickly began to grow. What started as a free two-day camp for 50 girls expanded in 2025 to a three-day experience serving 60 girls, with even more activities, wellness education, and take-home resources to support healthy habits beyond camp.
The camp continued to grow in 2026, becoming our largest one yet. We welcomed 80 fourth- to sixth-grade girls for three days of movement, learning, and connection at UNC Greensboro. Campers participated in a wide range of activities, including swimming, self-defense, team sports, and wellness sessions focused on topics such as body image and social media. Each girl also received an AGHG take-home manual and access to Spring Spot resources to encourage continued movement, reflection, and healthy habits at home. With the support of dedicated female counselors, instructors, and community partners, AGHG remained completely free while continuing to provide an empowering experience that helps girls feel strong, confident, and inspired to stay active.
We’re helping girls move, lead, and thrive—and we’re just getting started. With plans to grow into summer camps and teacher workday programs, we’re committed to keeping Greensboro girls healthy and active year-round. Want to help? Donate here to keep the momentum going!
Our Goals
- To secure the financial resources to build a sustainable program.
- Identify and engage both UNCG and local community members to support the program.
- Develop program offerings both at UNCG and within the community.
- Ensure program reach and sustainability.
AT CAMP WE…
- Create a safe, welcoming space for girls to try new physical activities they might not know about, feel unsure about, or don’t have access to.
- Cultivate small group talks and activities about important health topics like the benefits of exercise, how to manage emotions, seek support, eat healthy, drink enough water, sleep well, and make healthy food choices, while addressing challenges girls face in staying active.
- Help girls dream big and realize their potential as they partake in the camp at UNCG facilities and hear inspiring stories from students, athletes, and community leaders.
- Encourage them to “take it out of the camp.” Ultimately, we hope girls will take all they have learned at the camp into their lives so they can lead active lives through activities they enjoy and share what they have learned with others.
PLAYING WITH US
- Volleyball
- Pickleball
- Rock Climbing
- Yoga
- Dance
- Soccer
- Yard Games
- Swimming
- Basketball
- Nature Activities
- Geocaching
- And More!
LEARNING WITH US
- Nutrition
- Emotions
- Hydration
- Sleep Hygiene
- Empowerment
- Social support
- Girls in Sport
- Leadership
- Body Image
- Habit Building
- Social media
- And More!
DATA BEHIND THIS INITIATIVE
- Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke, and Diabetes:
- These rank as the 2nd, 4th, and 7th (respectively) leading causes of death in North Carolina.
- This burden is closely linked to physical inactivity and obesity.
- Physical Activity and Mental Health:
- Depression and physical activity are deeply interconnected.
- Depressed individuals report significantly lower levels of physical activity.
- Only 7% of depressed adults are sufficiently active compared to almost 60% of non-depressed adults.
- Studies suggest nearly 80% of individuals with depression fail to meet physical activity guidelines.
- Significant Physical Activity Decrease with Age:
- Only 26-42% of 6-11-year-olds meet physical activity recommendations.
- This drops sharply to 15% among 12-17-year-olds.
- High school females are 50% less likely than males to participate in 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
- Females with Disabilities or Obesity:
- These groups fall significantly below their peers in reported physical activity levels.
- Socio-Economic Disparities in Sport Participation:
- 25.8% of children from low-income households engage in regular sport activity. This is contrasted with 42.7% from high-income households.
These statistics highlight the urgent need for interventions to promote physical activity and address the disparities in health and wellness across different demographics. This is why our mission at Active Girls-Healthy Girls is so important. We are dedicated to empowering young girls to lead healthier, more active lives, ensuring they have the opportunities and support they need to thrive.
