Program

The Program

Girls on the Run® is a 501(c)3 positive youth development program which combines an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self-respect and healthy lifestyles in pre-teen girls. Our core curriculum addresses many aspects of girls’ development – their physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. Lessons provide girls with the tools to make positive decisions and to avoid risky adolescent behaviors

Objective

The objective of Girls on the Run is to educate and empower girls at an early age in order to prevent the display of at-risk activities in the future. At risk activities include substance/alcohol use, eating disorders, early onset of sexual activity, sedentary lifestyle, depression, suicide attempts and confrontations with the juvenile justice system.

Our Approach

Girls on the Run delivers our message to young girls through volunteer coaches and mentors. Our 10 week character building program of experiential learning through running teaches very specific and well-defined social and personal skills. The program culminates in a non-competitive 5K run event which gives the girls a chance to shine and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

The curriculum encompasses the following 3 concepts:

  • Weeks 1-4: All About Me…Getting to Know Who I am and What I Stand For!
  • Weeks 5-8: Building My Team…Understanding the Importance of Cooperation
  • Weeks 9-12: Community Begins with Me…Learning About Community and Designing Our Own Community Project
Curriculum Structure

Girls on the Run programs are based on activities that function specifically to enhance the learning process.  Each meeting is structured as follows:
  • The session begins with a getting-on-board and a warm-up activity that bring the girls’ focus onto the day’s topic.
  • The warm-up is followed by a stretching routine that allows for a topic-related question and answer time.
  • Then, during the workout period, the girls participate in a variety of running activities that utilize a game or a team goal.
  • Afterwards, cool-down stretching is combined a review and discussion of the day’s lesson that encourages participant questions.
  • Each session closes with positive words from the girls’ coach regarding individual and group behaviors.

Evaluation

An academic evaluation of Girls on the Run was performed by Dr. Rita DeBate, Ph.D., MPH, CHES in 2002 and 2005. The evaluation demonstrated that the curricula improves girls’ self-esteem, body size satisfaction, and physical activity behaviors to a statistically significant extent. Also noted are positive changes regarding attitudes towards physical activity, health behaviors, and empowerment.

Program Locations

Online Registration for Spring 2012 is now closed.  Please check back in August for Fall 2012 Registration in Washoe County.

Start a Site

How to Start a Girls on the Run Site

Step One:
Identify a location to host the program (school or community centers). The program location is responsible for providing:

  • Site Liason. A contact person that promotes the program and facilitates registration at the site with informational flyers, posters and registration forms provided by GOTR. This volunteer is the liaison between GOTR Sierras, the site, parents and coaches. Click here for Site Liason role description.
  • Safe place for running. Note: This does not have to be a track, a field is acceptable. However, it is necessary to measure off part of that area when lessons require running certain distances, (e.g. 1 mile, 5k)
  • Indoor meeting space for inclement weather (ideally a gym, but classroom or cafeteria is acceptable.)
  • 3 volunteer coaches (parents, teachers, staff) to be trained by GOTR:  This is an extremely rewarding opportunity and does not require experience as a runner or coach. It only requires the desire to make a difference in the lives of young girls.  Click here for Head Coach role description.

Our Fall 2012 season will take place in Reno and throughout Washoe County.  If you would like to start a new site, please complete the site application and coach candidate list and return to Girls on the Run Sierras by the June 30, 2012 deadline.

Need help recruiting coaches? See our Coaches Flyer.

Please note that GOTR is rapidly expanding and we are doing our best to accommodate as many new site requests as possible. Unfortunately, it may not be feasible to start a site, due to funding and staff limitations.

Step Two:
Attend Coach Training. All of our coaches attend a four hour training session before the program begins. The training seminar is based upon a well developed and researched curriculum used successfully by local and national GOTR programs.

We require one Head Coach and at least one assistant coaches at each site per session. 

Each coach must:

  • Attend one 4 hour Coaches Training (Fall 2012 Coaches Training dates TBD)
  • Serve as a role model and mentor for girls in the program
  • Prepare for and supervise all lessons in a manner consistent with the GOTR philosophy and curriculum
  • Attend the end of season 5k fun run

In addition to the requirements above, coaches must be 1st Aid/ CPR certified.

Step Three:

Complete all paperwork. Every program site is provided with registration materials, program marketing materials – flyers for take-home folders, posters, and/or information to include in school newsletter

The program site is responsible for:

  • Distributing the flyers to girls, promoting program to generate registration
  • Collecting registration forms and fees or promoting online registration-where available- for a minimum of 8 girls and a maximum of 15 girls
  • Sending program fees to the GOTR Sierras office
  • Providing the GOTR Coaches with a complete roster of all program participants on the first day of the program

Important: The site is responsible for making sure all paperwork is completed and collecting program fees-except where online registration is available.

Step Four:

Have a GREAT program! The program culminates with the running of a 5K (3.1 mile) fun run. GOTR Sierras encourages as much site participation in this event as possible. All are welcome to come out and walk, run, and cheer your girls on!