GIRL SCOUTS TEAM UP WITH "CHEETAH GIRL" SABRINA BRYAN TO PROMOTE FITNESS

GIRL SCOUTS TEAM UP WITH "CHEETAH GIRL" SABRINA BRYAN TO PROMOTE FITNESS: Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland To Host Official Dance Party With Girl Scouts/Dove Self-Esteem Program

Dancer, singer and actress, Sabrina Bryan, who is perhaps best known as a member of Disney girl group the Cheetah Girls, has enlisted the help of Girl Scouts to spread a very important message of empowerment for girls -- be happy, be healthy, be fit, BYOU!

On Friday, June 5, in conjunction with uniquely ME!, the Girl Scout/Dove self-esteem program, Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland will be hosting an official BYOU2 dance party where girls will participate in a fun and heart-pumping dance experience with the BYOU2 fitness DVD. They will also be introduced to uniquely ME! self-esteem activities focused on recognizing their strengths and talents, developing a positive body image, and taking care of their bodies and minds.

The BYOU2/Girl Scout experience, a national partnership between Girl Scouts of the USA and Sony Music, which includes a personal message from Sabrina Bryan herself, is aimed at "tween" girls to make them feel good no matter what shape or size. In addition to an alarming obesity rate among children in America, studies have shown that girls tend to lose their self-confidence during these years, developing negative feelings about their looks and their bodies.

"I hear from many girls who feel pressure to look a certain way and who lack the self-esteem to just be themselves," says Bryan, who is joined on the DVD by a posse of girls of different ethnic backgrounds with a variety of body shapes and sizes. "I'm very excited about BYOU2. Being yourself is all about being comfortable in your own skin and nothing makes you feel more confident than dancing."

The BYOU2 Dance Party hosted by Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland will be at the First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau on Friday, June 5 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. The event is open to all girls, regardless of whether they are currently in Girl Scouts. For information about registering for the event, please contact Leadership Program Specialist Keely Clingingsmith at 877-312-4764 or kclingingsmith@girlscoutsmoheartland.org.

ABOUT THE GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Girl Scouting is about building strong leaders. Founded in 1912, Girl Scouting is the premier leadership development organization for girls ages 5-17 in America. With 3.7 million members worldwide, Girl Scouts has a strong history of encouraging girls to become strong, confident young women. The Girl Scout Leadership Development Experience encourages girls to engage not just in traditional activities and service projects, but also in the process of leadership. Through hands-on opportunities, girls learn-by-doing in cooperative group settings and empowering individual explorations. Girl Scouting helps girls discover a strong sense of self, connect with others in a changing world, and take action to help make the world a better place.

ABOUT GIRL SCOUTS OF THE MISSOURI HEARTLAND

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland serves 20,000 girls in 68 counties, who are developing crucial life skills that help them grow courageous and strong so they can make wise choices in today's world and beyond. To volunteer your time, make a donation, or join Girl Scouts, call 877-312-4764 or visit us on the web at www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org.