Girls Inc. is a national organization that develops research-based informal education programs that encourage girls to take risks and master physical, intellectual and emotional challenges.
These programs address math and science education, pregnancy and drug abuse prevention, media literacy, economic literacy, adolescent health, violence prevention and sports participation.
Update: Starting on September 1, 2025, Goodman Community Center will no longer hold the local affiliation for Girls Inc.
Goodman Community Center took over local sponsorship of Girls Inc. of Greater Madison from YWCA Madison in 2014, and in the years since we’ve been very proud of the amazing accomplishments of our staff and the young people they’ve mentored. Now, as GCC refocuses on core programs on our campus, it is time to pass the torch. Girls Inc. National is exploring options for the future of Girls Inc. of Greater Madison.
In the meantime, we’re strengthening our partnership with Madison School & Community Recreation to finish strong with programs for current Girls Inc. participants.
Upcoming Girls Inc. of Greater Madison events
sponsored by GCC in collaboration with MSCR
- May TGIF 1-day camp
- registration coordinated by MSCR
- August TGIF 1-day camp
- registration coordinated by MSCR
For information about these and other MSCR programs, please contact lasmith2@madison.k12.wi.us.
All summer-long camps now offered through MSCR
Girls Inc. of Greater Madison will not offer summer camps at Goodman Community Center this year. Instead, we encourage families to check out MSCR’s summer camp program, which offers high-quality programs that encourage youth to learn and grow, including girl- and nonbinary youth-centered activities. Girls Inc. has provided training and development for MSCR staff and we’re confident these camps will provide similar, enriching content.
Registration for MSCR summer camps begins next Monday, March 10 at 12 pm for MMSD residents and Monday, March 24 at 12 pm for non-residents, and often fills very quickly. For more information and info on how to register, visit the MSCR Camps website.
For more summer camp options, see the Madison Family summer camp guide. (Madison Family is a private media organization not affiliated with GCC or Girls Inc.)
Bringing strong, smart and bold to as many girls as possible.
Girls Inc. of Greater Madison partners with community programs, like Madison School and Community Recreation (MSCR), as well as schools and community centers to bring Girls Inc.'s research-backed curriculum to girls across Madison and its surrounding cities.
2023-2024 Program Sites*
- Anana Elementary School
- Emerson Elementary School
- Hawthorne Elementary School
- Henderson Elementary School
- Lakeview Elementary School
- Lincoln Elementary School
- Lindbergh Elementary School
- Mendota Elementary School
- Midvale Elementary School
- Nuestro Mundo Elementary School
- Orchard Ridge Elementary School
- Sandburg Elementary School
- Schenk Elementary School
- Southside Elementary School
- Middleton Youth Center - Kromrey Middle School
Interested in MSCR Elementary Girls Inc. Programs? Contact Leslie Smith, MSCR Elementary Specialist at lasmith2@madison.k12.wi.us
Interested in Girls Inc. at the Middleton Youth Center? Contact Gabrielle Hinahara at ghinahara@ci.middleton.wi.us
*Girls Inc. program locations are subject to change
About Girls Inc. of Greater Madison
Girls Inc.'s mission is to inspire all girls to become strong, smart and bold, providing hundreds of thousands of girls across the U.S. and Canada with life-changing experiences and real solutions to the unique issues girls face. It was founded in 1864 (!!!) with afterschool programs for girls ages 5-18 in nearly 100 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Learn more about Girls Inc. national here.
Girls Inc. of Greater Madison, partnered with the Goodman Community Center, is the local Girls Inc. affiliate and reaches more than 650 girls — from elementary to high school — across the Madison area.