We offer two different in depth trainings to strengthen and change the way that you work with girls. These trainings can be offered alone or together, and may be either a full day or a half day long, depending on your needs. Looking for a shorter training opportunity? Check out our workshops.

Cultivating Hardiness Zones
Becoming a Muse
Request a Training
What People Are Saying About Our Trainings

Cultivating Hardiness Zones 

This training will introduce and put into practice the health psychology concept of “hardiness,” a positive, strength-based approach to working with girls. The training is designed to educate those of us working with girls about what girls need, and how we can provide space spaces or “hardiness zones” where they can grow and thrive. Participants will learn concrete methods and group skills that teach a way of listening to and being in relationship with girls that develops their connections with themselves, with other girls, and with you; inspires girls’ best work; and provides opportunities to make social change.

Cultivating Hardiness Zones includes: 

• Welcome, Introductions, & Overview
• A Look at the Cultural Landscape
• Girls’ Psychology and Development
• Cultivating Hardiness Zones
• Muse Relationships with Girls
• Theory in Action
• Reflection & Evaluation

Becoming a Muse

Facilitating group work with girls can be as challenging as it is rewarding. While building the group into a safe space, nurturing girls’ voices, and helping them speak to their experiences takes effort and time – and can be difficult and messy – we also know that providing girls with the space and supports they need to connect, be challenged, and talk about their world is essential to girls’ healthy development. Becoming a Muse will teach participants to appreciate girls’ differences and stand with girls; to become self-aware as a facilitator and group member; to observe, listen, and track a group’s voice and growth; to practice the three levels of listening; and to recognize and handle resistance. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice facilitation techniques and look at group case studies.

Becoming a Muse includes:

• In-depth look at facilitation, group process and dynamics
• Practicing muse relationships in the context of girls’ groups
• Concrete demonstrations of group scenarios
• Opportunities to practice new techniques

Request a Training

Fill out this request form, or email training@hghw.org for more information about bringing one of these trainings to your school, organization, or community.

What People Are Saying About Our Trainings

“As a camp director and more importantly as the mother of a teenage girl, I really appreciated the tone set in this training. I have found that the messages out there for girls in the media are so toxic right now and I find it refreshing to hear a message about changing the message rather than changing the girls who are just trying to figure out how to have a voice and power in a difficult society.” –Shannon, Chimney Corners Camp for Girls

“Cultivating Hardiness Zones was a wonderful day of training at our site led by Lyn Mikel Brown and HGHW board member, Anne Belden.  We had 75 participants (teachers, school counselors, therapists, administrators) who unanimously endorsed the success of the day.  The program combined an energizing mix of didactic material and experiential exercises.  The presenters created a safe environment in which participants could speak freely and learn without inhibition.   Participants reported being excited to develop new skills and to feel empowered to better support the girls and young women in their lives.  There was a great sense of camaraderie and shared inspiration. I would highly recommend this program, and this wonderful organization, to you.” –Sharon, Strong Moms Strong Girls

“When the team that created the Real Deal: A Summer Leadership Experience for Girls started its work, we needed a place of inception that would provide us with the guiding principles to dream a program around. It did not take us long to find it: the “Ten Tips for Creating Hardiness Zones for Girls” document served as our anchor and our inspiration to create an experience we know will be transformative for our girls. We invited Lyn Mikel Brown to our school about six weeks later.  During an extended lunch meeting with the Real Deal team, Lyn proved why she is a foremost authority on girls’ development:  her vast experience and knowledge aside, she is truly a muse who inspires. One team member put it this way: ‘Strong women listen well. Lyn did just that. She modeled the Hardy Girls Healthy Women concept of “muse” and listened us into a deeper understanding of what we are doing well and the directions we'd like to take to strengthen our work’.” – Mariandl, Agnes Irwin School