My next workshop will be on Sunday May 5th 2024 in Castlemaine, Victoria. The mothers sessions will be held on Wednesday 1st MAy 2024 (7-9pm). Please CLICK HERE to book your place

A Celebration Day for Girls is a one day workshop for 10-12 year old girls with their mother or female carer. It is a warm, fun & reassuring day where both girls and mothers feel held and celebrated. The day weaves in creative, fun activities, alongside practical tips, body & menstrual cycle literacy, story telling and lively conversations. We encourage an ease and trust in the girls’ changing bodies to empower them to be happier, more resilient and able to focus on the things they love to do.

I cannot recommend this workshop highly enough, the closeness it knitted between myself and my daughter has supported an ongoing dialogue about bodies since then, which has been so invaluable – Hermione

A Celebration day for girls was developed by Jane Bennett in 2000 to support girls and mothers at this special threshold in both their lives, with affirming, grounded and connected celebration of the journey to womanhood. In 2021, we have facilitators in over 20 countries offering Celebration day for girls.

WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE CELEBRATION DAY PROGRAM?

The program is delivered in 3 sessions;

A two hour mother/carer session ~ held one evening on the week of the Celebration day for girls. This session provides you with information about what happens at the Celebration day, and an opportunity to check in with how their relationship with their daughters is, as well as ask any questions. You will be invited to share their story of menarche (first period), with an opportunity for discussion on ways you would like to honour/celebrate your daughters menarche.
Celebration Day morning session ~ attended by girls on their own. This session, generally held on a Sunday, runs from 10-1pm. Celebration Day afternoons session ~ Mothers/carers join the day, for a shared festive lunch, and an afternoon of story telling and connection.

WHY PARTICIPATE IN A CELEBRATION DAY?

Our modern western society, predominantly through media, has long given the message that periods should be kept secret. One of the effects of this, is women and girls absorb the subtle message of their cycling body being an embarrassing, shameful thing. For young girls, this can lead to starting this fertile phase of their life feeling isolated and afraid.

When a young person starts their periods with an understanding of their body and what it is doing, this supports the growth of someone who trusts and cherishes their body and it’s natural cycles, for the miraculous creation it is.

A Celebration Day for girls is designed to support your child through a process of learning about their bodies and the menstrual cycle in a fun and empowering way, through creative activities together and having some light-hearted laughs along the way.

During the Celebration day for Girls I was able to connect with many girls. Rachel made me feel comfortable in, as you would say, my own skin. It was not only fun & enjoyable, it has set me up for the next part of my life. Kyah (11 years)

My daughter went from being timid, unsure & nervous before the Celebration day, to confident, strong & very self assured afterwards.
The day was Wonderful. Ella (Mum)

HOW MUCH DOES THE PROGRAM COST? The cost to attend A Celebration day for girls is $165 / $125 concession per mother/daughter pair.

IS THE PROGRAM INCLUSIVE OF GENDER DIVERSE CHILDREN? The short answer is Yes. The name of the workshop is gendered and inherent within it is a celebration of the journey to womanhood. However, Celebration days acknowledge that not all girls/women have periods, and not everyone who menstruates identifies as a girl/woman. I wish for my workshops to be inclusive of young people with diverse gender identities, and in the past my workshops have been attended by non-binary young people and transgender girls. For anyone considering whether the workshop would be suitable for them or not, it is important to know the main intentions of the workshop are to support menstrual health, Celebrate the rite of passage of menarche (first period) and to develop a culture where menstruation is free of shame. If a parent, carer or young person is attracted to the workshop or curious about how it might be to be involved, please reach make contact with me so we can discuss any concerns, or questions, as well as any suggestions or feedback on how the workshop can be more inclusive of gender diverse children.

DO YOU OFFER A CELEBRATION DAY FOR PRIVATE GROUPS? Yes. If you have a group within your community, School or daughter’s friendship group, I can run a Celebration day for girls for your group. The minimum number required is 8 girls.

WHAT MOTHER’S & DAUGHTERS SAY ABOUT CELEBRATION DAYS

My daughter was having such a turbulent time in her life & nothing I did seemed to reach her or ease her struggle. By engaging in the Celebration for Girls day with Rachel she really found her self confidence & is at ease in her mind & body. Our relationship reformed & has continued to strengthen. I couldn’t recommend the experience more, it was transformative. –Claire (Mum)

Rachel’s just great !! Her ability to make connection with the young girls while connecting with the mothers simultaneously is really special.

“I can’t recommend this workshop enough, so very helpful ‘breaking the ice’ with my shy daughter an leading to easier and better conversations. As mothers we got to share our experiences, celebrate matriarchs and ourselves – and I’ve not had a space and guidance to do this before. Rachel has an amazing ability to hold everyone in the space” – Lisa M.

“My girls and I have just recently experienced this with Rachel and no words can really express how special and educational this was for us and our family and the future. I can only highly recommend.” – Donna M.

We highly recommend the ‘celebration for girls’ day hosted by Rachel Pilgrim. Even though we have spoken quite a lot at home about periods and puberty Lilli still learnt so much on the day.  Rachel has a lovely way of setting up such a safe place for questions to flow and a thorough knowledge of women’s health and how to communicate it to the girls. It was a really fun, loving, nurturing, informative day we made new friends and shared a very special day that we will hold dear to our hearts and memories. Lilli’s favourite part of the day was making the secret lockets, what a beautiful item for her to carry throughout her life. I feel very privileged to have been able to share this day with my daughter, thank you again Rachel. much love Lilli and Nicole xo

“Can’t recommend this workshop highly enough. Rachel has a wonderful way with the girls, helping them feel safe to ask questions and explore ideas. It was a really enriching an relationship building experience for both my daughter and I!” – Johanna A.

The inherent transformational magic of puberty and menarche, coupled with the intention and commitment to offer our very best to girls and their mothers/carers, has seen this workshop evolve into a unique and powerful day offered world wide, by an exceptional group of women. This is something the founder, Jane Bennett could not have envisaged when she responded to the first request in 2000. We believe A Celebration Day for Girls meets a vital need at a very specific time of life, for girls as well as for their mothers/female carers and families.

My next workshop will be on Saturday November 11th 2023 in Castlemaine, Victoria. The mothers sessions will be held on Wednesday 8th November. Places are limited, please contact Rachel.pilgrim@yahoo.com or CLICK HERE to book your place

For more information about this program, please visit A Celebration Day for girls FAQ’s page, or email me at rachel@celebrationdayforgirls.com