Girls on the Run Puget Sound, a local non-profit, is thrilled to announce that they will be hosting an 8-week Spring Season, March 29th-May 28th, 2021! Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a youth development program that inspires girl identifying youth to be joyful, healthy, and confident, using an experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running.
In today’s world of isolation and stress related to COVID-19, Girls on the Run creates a safe place for youth to grow in confidence and strengthen their self-worth. Girl identifying youth in 3rd-8th grade can sign up for a 100% virtual program or a small, safe, in-person team meeting at a local park this Spring.
This Fall, Girls on the Run had 400 participants in the program across King County participating safely, connecting with new friends, and staying physically active. This Spring, GOTR plans to have 700 participants enrolled. In all of 2020, Girls on the Run provided over $200,000 in financial assistance to families so that ALL girls can participate in GOTR, regardless of ability to pay.
What can you expect from their program this Spring? If you’ve heard of GOTR before, you know that the social, emotional learning curriculum is the program’s cornerstone. The same fantastic lessons that girls have explored in years past are still the program’s focus, whether the program is delivered in-person or virtually. Topics that families can expect their child to explore with Girls on the Run are empathy, goal-setting, friendship, conflict resolution, navigating emotions, holistic health, and more! GOTR addresses difficult topics by creating a safe and supportive environment so that girls can shine during the program and beyond.
One parent from the Fall season reported, “[My daughter] felt important and listened to by the leaders. She felt safe in speaking her opinion.”
Additionally, Girls on the Run knows that physical activity matters! Pre-teen and teenage girls who participate in sports teams like GOTR report greater life satisfaction and feel healthier than girls who do not. Girls on the Run recognizes that physical health starts at a young age. Therefore their programs teach girls habits that will last a lifetime.
Whether in-person or virtually, trained volunteers lead girls of all abilities through research-based lessons that creatively integrate movement.
Virtually, girls will be led through group exercises over Zoom or Google Meet and will be encouraged to keep exercising at home with take-home goals. In-person, teams will be playing active games and running or walking at the park. All games and activities have been adapted to avoid touching or sharing of materials, and girls and coaches are asked to wear masks the entire practice. The safety of participants and volunteer coaches is of utmost importance to GOTR. That’s why they are pleased to report that 93% of parents agreed that with COVID-19 safety precautions,
Girls on the Run worked toward creating a safe place for their child last season. Their trained coaches and dedicated staff will continue to meet all communities’ needs in the coming months.
Girls on the Run encourages you to get involved with their life-changing program. Here are a few ways you can do that:
- Volunteer to coach a virtual or in-person team! No experience necessary, training and support provided. Learn more and submit your interest form today: www.girlsrun.org/coach
- Register your girl for the Spring season! Registration opens on February 1st. Learn more at www.girlsrun.org/program-registration Scholarships provided to ANY family in need, no questions asked.
- Please donate to their scholarship fund to ensure all girls can participate this Spring. Donate here: www.girlsrun.org/donate
- Purchase a pair of running shoes for a girl in need! Email erin@girlsrun.org to learn more.
With so many challenging unknowns, one thing is certain – girls deserve better! Girls on the Run remains dedicated to creating a world where every girl can thrive. Join their movement this Spring!
Website: www.girlsrun.org Phone: 206-528-2118 Social Media: @gotrpugetsound
Contact: Erin Gorup, Program Director, erin@girlsrun.org
