Girl Scout's Project Encourages Kids to Have Fun Moving Their Bodies

Northview High School Senior Abbey Hankinson recently earned the highest honor in Girl Scouts by completing her Gold Award Project called Exercise is Fun.

Abbey has been in Girl Scouts as a member of Keri Michaelis' Troop 14494 for 12 years, starting her journey in Kindergarten.

Abbey's project aimed to educate kids about the science behind exercise to encourage them to get outside and have fun. She hosted workshops using a lesson plan with fun games and activities to teach kids across Johns Creek about the science behind heart rate, the importance of fueling and hydration, and how muscle groups work together to move their bodies.

She also created an online course and website to reach people across the country, where she shared the same curriculum from her workshops.

To ensure her project had a lasting impact, she partnered with her local preschool to hang up informational posters in the gym to teach kids about stretching, fueling, and muscle groups.

"As a cross country runner, exercise is such an important part of my everyday life," Abbey shared. "I wanted to help to erase the stigma among kids that exercise is a punishment and encourage them to leave their screens and enjoy moving their bodies."