Why it Matters
Girls face social pressures and conflicting messages about how they should act and who they should be. Studies show that by adolescence, girls’ confidence drops about twice as much as boys’. Stressors related to COVID-19 have undoubtedly affected girls, between social isolation, anxiety and more limited opportunities for physical activity.
Girls need us now more than ever.
We believe that EVERY GIRL is inherently FULL OF POWER and POTENTIAL. By knowing they are the leaders of their lives, these are the girls who WILL CHANGE THE WORLD.
What girls learn
confidence
Lessons are designed to build girls' self-worth and help them feel greater confidence in who they are. Activities help girls recognize their personal strengths and teach them how to stand up for themselves and others.
character
By gaining awareness of the power they possess to make intentional decisions, girls learn to choose positive actions which demonstrate respect and responsibility towards themselves and others.
care
Throughout each season, girls learn to respond to others and themselves with care and compassion. Lessons and activities further develop their abilities to sympathize and empathize both within and beyond their social groups.
connections
Girls on the Run lessons focus on cooperative skills and team building through a positive group setting. Girls learn firsthand how to create positive connections with parents and caregivers, teachers, peers and their communities.
competence
Our program provides skill-building experiences to nurture girls' physical, social and emotional competencies that they apply in other areas of their lives such as home, school, and in the neighborhood. Completing a 5K at the end of the season gives them a tangible opportunity to apply all that they have learned.
Contribution
When girls develop and strengthen these life skills, they can thrive. More importantly, they can then develop a final skill: CONTRIBUTION. Girls on the Run inspires girls to build lives of purpose and to make a meaningful contribution to community and society. This comes to life through a key element of the curricula when each team creates and executes a community service project.
Our Programs
Girls On The Run
Grades 3-5
The 3rd-5th grade program, Girls on the Run, encourages girls of all abilities to recognize their individual strengths and celebrate connections with others. Our tested curriculum blends physical activity with skill development that enables girls to adapt to whatever comes their way. In today’s unpredictable world, the strategies learned at Girls on Run are more important than ever.
Heart & Sole
Grades 6-8
Heart & Sole is Girls on the Run’s middle school program that meets the unique needs of girls in 6th-8th grade. The program considers the whole girl – body, brain, heart, spirit and social connection. Girls need an inclusive place where they feel supported and inspired to explore their emotions, cultivate empathy and strengthen their physical and emotional health.
Camp GOTR
Grades 3-5
Camp GOTR by Girls on the Run provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for girls of all abilities to develop self-confidence and learn life skills they can use now and as they grow. Girls will enjoy building friendships through interactive games, being physically active, and expressing creativity through arts and crafts and storytelling. Led by caring and qualified Girls on the Run coaches, the Camp GOTR combines the best of the Girls on the Run program with all the fun of camp.
We believe in the limitless potential of each girl we serve and focus on strengths and abilities rather than risks or challenges. Girls on the Run fosters an inclusive environment and offers the opportunity for all girls to participate, regardless of financial situation, through scholarships.
program evaluations
Girls on the Run is the only national physical activity-based positive youth development program for girls with compelling evidence of program impact.
An independent study led by Dr. Maureen Weiss, University of Minnesota, evaluated the impact of Girls on the Run on positive youth development. The findings provide strong evidence that Girls on the Run is effective in promoting season-long and lasting change in competence, confidence, connection, character, caring, physical activity, and life skills. In addition, Girls on the Run makes a stronger impact than organized sports and physical education programs in teaching life skills such as managing emotions, resolving conflict, helping others, and making intentional decisions.
