Michigan chapters have seen huge growth in the last five years. The average size of a chapter nationally: 12-15 girls. But in Michigan, chapters include Southeast Michigan with 500 girls, and Kalamazoo with 1,900.
“As soon as anybody learns about the program, it catches on like wildfire,” said Southeast Michigan program director Danielle Plunkett-Johnson of Ann Arbor. “We’ve been working really hard to grow gradually. It’s really powerful for the girls to see the other 490-plus girls at the same race.”
Michael Brehler of Novi said his 8-year-old daughter, Aubrianna, liked the program so much that when it moved from her school to another in town, her parents agreed to alternate taking off work early to drive her.
“We just wanted to make sure she develops some healthy habits,” he said.
