Girls on the Run was developed specifically for girls in third, fourth and fifth grade (ages 8-12). The after-school program combines training to participate in a running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts and a community service project. The teams - which consist of 8 to 15 girls - meet two times per week right after school for an hour and a half from mid March through late May. Most teams begin meeting at about 3:30 or 3:45 pm. We do have some community organizations with teams that meet in the evening (6 pm or later).  The season culminates with the Girls on the Run 5k run/walk which starts and finishes at Waldo Stadium on the campus of Western Michigan University.

The goal of the program is to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development. Furthermore, we encourage participants to talk with their family every day about what is going on with them. The 10-week curriculum attempts to help each girl find and stay true to her REAL self.  

why this age?

Girls on the Run is best suited for prevention purposes for girls between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. This is a time when children are still receptive to what adults have to say, yet they are beginning to feel the pull of peer pressure. Studies show that around the time of 5th grade, some girls go to a place that we call “The Girl Box.” The Girl Box is a place where girls feel as if they are valued more for their appearance, who their friends are and what kind of clothes they wear – as opposed to the strength of their character. It is the perfect time to address important personal and relationship issues to a girl – like learning how to manage her emotions, the dangers of gossiping, how and when to speak up for herself and more. It is a great time to develop skills to handle these issues to help each girl STAY OUT OF THE BOX.

sample lesson

girls on the run session overview

Self-Care, Self-Awareness, Knowing Self
Lesson One: Getting to Know Each Other
Lesson Two: Plugging into the Girls on the Run Cord
Lesson Three: Choosing to be a Girl on the Run
Lesson Four: Positive Self-Talk and Why I Choose It!
Lesson Five: Fueling our Healthy Pace
Lesson Six: Being Emotional is Healthy!
Lesson Seven: Celebrating Gratitude
Lesson Nine: Valuing what’s Really Important

Connectedness:  Selecting Healthy Relationships and Keeping Them Healthy
Lesson Ten: Learning About Cooperation
Lesson Eleven: Standing Up to Peer Pressure
Lesson Twelve: Standing Up for Myself
Lesson Thirteen: Gossiping Hurts Everyone
Lesson Fourteen: Beware of Bullies
Lesson Fifteen: It’s Okay to Choose Our Friends
Lesson Sixteen: Practicing our 5k!

Empowerment: Celebrating and SHARING Our Strengths
Lesson Eighteen: Tuning into a New Message
Lesson Nineteen: Learning About Community
Lesson Twenty: Designing Our Community Impact Project
Lesson Twenty-One: Implementing Our Community Impact Project
Lesson Twenty-Three: The Finishing Touches