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Our Program
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Girls on the Run is a nationally run preventative program for pre-adolescent girls (ages 8-11) that strengthens girls physically, emotionally, and socially in preparation to face the upcoming pressures of adolescence.
The 12 week program combines self-esteem enhancing life-lessons, discussions, and running games in an encouraging, girl-positive environment where girls can feel free to express themselves and build their confidence.
The goal of Girls on the Run is to empower girls early in their lives to find strength, courage and self-respect from within and draw upon it as they face the challenges of adolescence and adulthood.
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The Girls on the Run program is based on the belief that it is critical to reach girls at this early age to prepare them for adolescence and prevent at-risk behaviors such as eating disorders, substance abuse, depression, obesity, and promiscuity. Some issues that the Girls on the Run sessions address are:
- self-esteem
- body image
- healthy eating and life-style
- dangers of drugs and alcohol
- emotional health
- peer pressure
- anger management
- gossiping
- stereotyping and discrimination
- importance of good communication skills
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Girls on the Run uses the physical activity of running in combination with these life lessons because studies show that females who participate in physical activities or sports experience higher levels of self esteem and confidence, as well as lower levels of depression than those who do not. Exercise has also shown to boost girls' self -esteem by by offering them tangible experience of competency and success. To this end, throughout the program, the girls train to run or walk in a 3.1 mile community running event.
Girls on the Run is open to ALL 8 to 11 year old girls -- regardless of their fitness level.
[a typical day at Girls on the Run -->]
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Girls today face dangers...
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Girls are inundated by the media and fashion industry that being emaciated is chic. (Idealized fashion models weigh 23% less than the average female!) |
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Women are beginning to smoke at younger ages- most smokers begin tobacco use between the 6th and 9th grades and today’s girls are 15 times more likely than their mothers to begin using illicit drugs by age 15. |
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One in four girls exhibit depressive symptoms and girls are twice as likely as boys to experience depression during adolescence. |
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