Girls on the Run is a life-changing character development
program for girls grades 3-8 that uses running to teach values and a sense of
self. The program combines training to participate in a non-competitive 5K (3.1 mile) running event with self-esteem
enhancing, uplifting workouts and a community service project. The goal of the
program is to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and
physical development.
The 10-week curriculum 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
20-lesson-plan curriculum attempts to change a girl's budding notion that how
she looks is more important than who she is. 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.
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 habits
• Dangers of drugs and alcohol
• Emotional health
• Peer pressure
• Anger management
• Gossiping
• Stereotyping and discrimination
• Importance of good communication skills
• Teamwork
• Community
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 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.
Finally, the program emphasizes the importance of contributing to the
community. In the last weeks, the girls use the skills they have developed to
design and carry out a group community service project.
