CHAARG, Changing Health, Attitudes and Actions to Recreate Girls, is a national organization, with over 50 chapters across the United States, with the goal to educate and support college women in their workout endeavors.
Heather Coppley, a fourth-year studying biology and the NC State ambassador for CHAARG, attempted to bring the organization to the university last year, but it did not fully launch. However, the program has been made an official organization as of the 2018 academic year, and Coppley said she hopes CHAARG will be impactful for young women on campus.
“We are really trying to fix the stigma that health is weight loss,” Coppley said. “We focus on wellbeing. At one of our wellness events, we will have facials and essential oil instructions as well as nutritionists. Otherwise, we have weekly physical workouts that alternate every week — everything to help girls find their confidence in their routine.”
Coppley said that members can participate in weekly workouts, meet in small groups to get to know each other and attend different events together.
“During these workouts we take some time to get to know each other and the exec team will take some time to get to know girls and make sure they are comfortable,” Coppley said. “Throughout the week, we also have small group meetings, led by different members of exec council. This is a place where we provide space for girls to get to know each other; it can be for women of any shape, size, background or athletic ability.”
Lauren Drakulic, a second-year studying business administration, is the vice president of media at NC State’s chapter of CHAARG, and said she is responsible for overseeing social media engagement.
“I think our biggest goal is to get it out there so that girls can take advantage of what CHAARG has to offer,” Drakulic said. “It’s great for health fitness, support and women’s empowerment. Next, we hope to focus on our current members, and I think the small groups are a good way to provide support. We have 86 current members, so it’s good to break it down to get to know each member.”
Drakulic also said that she enjoys the community within CHAARG, both on and off NC State’s campus.
“My favorite part is the large community outside of just the NC state chapter,” Drakulic said. “They are all over the country. We are given the chance to speak with girls from other chapters at other universities and see what activities they do.”
Drakulic, like Coppley, said that the program is open to all young women on campus, no matter what their workout experience is.
“It’s for all ages; one big thing is that it is a way to connect to different girls across campus,” Drakulic said. “You don’t have to know how to work out. It’s all about going at your own pace, it’s never competitive or judgmental; it’s for girls to figure out what they like.”
Weronika Nowak, a fourth-year studying computer engineering, said she was excited to learn CHAARG was coming back to NC State and intends to get involved.
“I reach out to studio instructors to come teach our Monday workouts,” Nowak said. “Each week it’s something new, and the best part of that is getting to experience something I wouldn’t have tried on my own with 80 other girls who are trying it for the first time too.”
Nowak said she joined the group to find a support system within the NC State community.
“I think the biggest thing for me was getting to know other girls who have similar interests, and the support system,” Nowak said.
Coppley said CHAARG has weekly workout sessions on Monday evenings from 7-8 p.m. and 8-9 p.m. Interested students can email ncstatechaarg@gmail.com or visit the NC State chapter website.
