We’re on the Way, or WOW, is a Granby Youth Service Bureau group designed for high school girls and non-binary students to build community, have fun and learn new skills. WOW aims to foster a safe space for making connections, breaking down barriers, trying out new activities, growing together and engaging with the community.
The WOW group was founded in 2004 by Ingrid Helander, who ran the group for many years. She started the program in order to create a community with the hopes of helping young women discover more about themselves, hence the tagline “You are more than you know.” In 2006, Brita Gotberg began volunteering for WOW and later became the lead facilitator of the group until 2023 when she and her then co-facilitator, Mara Henze, passed the torch to current facilitators: Laura Midura and Maggie Lee.
Last year, participants engaged in a wide range of enriching and hands-on experiences throughout the program. Opportunities included volunteering with Waste Not Want Not Food Kitchen, where participants made cards and baked cookies for delivery to local seniors during the holiday season. They also explored wellness through meditation and a yoga class, and visited the Cossitt Library’s makerspace to learn how to operate equipment such as a sublimation machine, 3D printer, and Cricut crafting system.
Outdoor and cultural activities were also featured, including a full-moon hike along the Holcomb Farm Tree Trail, an outdoor photo scavenger hunt and a dumpling-making workshop in celebration of Chinese New Year. In addition, participants gained important safety awareness by experiencing a simulation of driving under the influence with guidance from Granby’s Officer Nichole Abalan. The program also included a field trip to Fun Max, where attendees enjoyed activities such as a zip line, ropes course and trampoline attractions—just a sampling of the many experiences offered through WOW.
Current group facilitators, Midura and Lee, continue to emphasize community engagement by inviting local experts and organizations to present to students, introducing them to a variety of new topics and skills. On days without scheduled presenters, the facilitators organize a range of interactive activities, including team-building exercises, a “WOW Boutique” clothing swap, movie nights, group discussions, crafts and holiday celebrations.
The WOW group typically runs from fall through early spring, meets on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and costs $150, with a sibling discount of $125 per person. Check the Town of Granby website at this link to register for 2026-27.