Your Questions, Answered

  • Empower the Middle creates immersive literary experiences for middle school girls. Through engaging books, meaningful discussions, creative projects, outdoor adventures, and friendship, girls discover the joy of reading while building confidence and connection.

  • Most programs are designed for girls entering or currently in grades 6–8. Specific age recommendations are included with each event.

  • Not at all! Whether she reads every day or is just beginning to discover books she enjoys, she's welcome. My goal is to help girls build confidence as readers while making reading fun and meaningful.

  • Every program is different, but girls can expect a combination of:

    • Book discussions

    • Hands-on crafts and creative projects

    • Journaling and reflection

    • Games and team-building

    • Outdoor exploration (when applicable)

    • Plenty of laughter and opportunities to make new friends

  • Absolutely! Many girls attend on their own. Activities are intentionally designed to help everyone feel welcome and connected.

  • Hi! I'm Genevieve McDougal, founder of Empower the Middle LLC and a middle school teacher with 25 years of classroom experience. Creating meaningful learning experiences for middle school students has been my passion throughout my career.

  • Whenever possible, yes. Thanks to the generosity of community sponsors and donors, Empower the Middle occasionally offers sponsored opportunities. If cost is a barrier, please reach out.

At Empower the Middle, books are just the beginning. Every program is built around a carefully selected story and includes creative projects, meaningful discussions, hands-on activities, and opportunities to connect with nature, new friends, and the themes of the book. Rather than simply reading a novel, girls step into its world and experience it together.