Summer Summit 2025: Where Girls Are Strong, Seen, and Unapologetically Themselves

When you were growing up, did you ever wish for a place where you could come together with people your age, try new things, and truly be yourself through fun, active adventures that pushed you out of your comfort zone?

Last month, Fit4Kids’ Game On, Girl! program made that dream a reality for 50 middle school girls from across the Greater Richmond area. From June 9 through 12, they took part in our seventh annual Summer Summit, a four-day experience filled with movement, friendship, leadership, and hands-on learning. It was a chance to step outside their comfort zones and discover just how powerful they are.

Tackling the gender gap in physical activity, Game On, Girl! empowers adolescent girls to move, lead, and thrive through fun, engaging activities, nutrition education, and a supportive environment that fosters confidence, leadership, and lifelong wellness habits. Serving more than 150 girls each year, the program is designed to meet girls during a pivotal stage in their lives—when physical activity rates often decline—and show them what’s possible when they’re encouraged to be bold, active, and unapologetically themselves.

Many former participants return to serve as Coaches or Interns, eager to give back to the program that helped shape who they are. Their leadership creates a powerful cycle of mentorship that continues to grow year after year.

Throughout the week, girls tried kayaking and paddleboarding with Beyond Boundaries and the James River Women’s Club. They built strength and confidence in a kickboxing session with Young Professionals Board member Emily Henderson. They played basketball with the VCU Women’s Basketball Team, scored goals with the Richmond Ivy, and hit the greens for a round of golf with First Tee. The fun continued with smoothie battles, Chopped-style cooking competitions, and nature talks with the National Park Service. Girls climbed to new heights at Triangle Rock Club, flowed through yoga with The Well Collective, zipped through biking trails, created affirmation bracelets, and showed their dodgeball skills. The week wrapped up with a celebratory pool party at St. Catherine’s.

But what truly made Summer Summit special was what happened between the activities. Girls made friends, built each other up, and discovered a space where they could be completely, unapologetically themselves. One participant shared, “Before I joined the program, I was extremely shy. I didn’t talk to anyone. As soon as I got to Summer Summit, I realized, ok, everyone is cool—I can be my true self.”

Another reflected, “My favorite activity during the week was the positive affirmation bracelets where we told each other we were beautiful. It made my day!”

At Fit4Kids, we believe girls need more than just access to physical activity. They need opportunities to lead, to persevere, and to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. Through Game On, Girl!, we’re building a strong foundation of empowerment, confidence, and community. And with our Growing Healthy Kids strategic plan, we’re working to expand these opportunities and reach even more girls across our region.

When girls are empowered to move, grow, lead, and thrive, they carry that confidence into every corner of their lives. And we think that’s worth celebrating.