Educating and Preparing Girls for a Lifetime of Self Respect

faqs

How much does it cost?

Participants of Girls on the Run® and their families choose a program fee ranging from $0 to $149.  Girls participate equally in the program regardless of the fee their family selects.  Girls must complete the program to receive all benefits noted below including the shoes.  The following scale is provided for families to choose what they believe they can afford.  The financial sustainability of our program depends on the honesty and integrity of parents who choose their appropriate registration amount.  It is essential that each family contribute as much toward the full cost of the registration fee as it can afford.  Local fundraising efforts and donations help to bridge the gap between program fees paid and necessary sponsorship. Families that have the ability to and are interested in supporting the program beyond the $150 may choose to sponsor additional girls as well.

Reading the Scale:  Find the correct number for your household in the “# of Family Members in Household” column.  In that row, select the box that represents your household’s annual income from the last year.  Follow the column down to the “Suggested Amount” box at the bottom.  Example: A household of 5 family members with an annual income of $40,000 would choose a registration fee between $50 and $99.

What does the program fee include?

  •   20 lessons conducted by two certified GOTR® Coaches
  •   a water bottle
  •   a pair of New Balance running shoes
  •   participation in the New Balance GOTR 5k beginning and ending on the campus of Western Michigan University
  •   a healthy snack at each practice
  •   an official Girls on the Run T-shirt
  •   a 5k finisher's medallion

What about a program for boys?

While we know boys need support – just as girls do, the issues boys face are very different than the challenges girls experience. Boys on the Run was piloted in Charlotte, North Carolina and time will tell if a final version of the program will be available nation-wide.

How do I start the program in my child’s school?

Within Greater Kalamazoo, we deliver the program in all interested school districts that have a presence within Kalamazoo County (Otsego, Plainwell, Gull Lake, Parchment, Kalamazoo, Comstock, Galesburg-Augusta, Mattawan, Portage, Climax-Scotts, Lawton, Schoolcraft, Vicksburg and Athens). Our territory is defined in conjunction with Girls on the Run International.

If Girls on the Run or Girls on Track is not in a school in our program area, we can help you bring the program your way. See ‘Starting a Program’ under ‘Program Locations’.

Can my daughter repeat the program?

Yes!! Each of our curricula was designed to be used over and over again, with girls new to the program and with girls repeating the program. We also know that what a child experiences and learns in Girls on the Run as a third grader is quite different from what she learns as a fourth or fifth grader. With repetition the depths of learning and the ability of a girl to apply what she learns at each lesson is greater. Within GOTR, we alternate between two curriculum each year, so our girls experience similar topics with different games and activities from one year to the next. And with that experience from one year to the next, returning girls often naturally step into mentoring and leadership roles with the younger girls.

What if a girl is unable to pay the registration fee?

We turn no child away from our program due to financial limitations. Last year 76% of our girls required either full or partial financial support to participate in the program. We are committed to raising funds so that every girl who wants to participate can have the chance to do. If you would like to sponsor a girl, please contact us.

Why are teams limited to 15 girls?

We find that our teams are most effective with 8 to 15 girls. Much of the GOTR curriculum is designed to build team dynamics among the girls. Teams must have at least 8 girls in order for the activities in each lesson to be effective and yet we also need to ensure the size of the group is manageable for our coaches. Because we also want each girl to contribute to our conversations during each lesson, we are committed to keeping the groups to a reasonable size. If sites have more than 15 girls who want to join the program, they may be considered for multiple teams if space and resources allow.

Can my daughter participate at another site if the program is not at her school?

Often we are able to help a girl find an existing team to join if Girls on the Run is not available at her school. Please contact us for assistance at 269.337.1601 x 204.

Can my home schooled child join GOTR?

Yes! We have hosted a team of home schooled children at the Portage YMCA for the past few years. We also are happy to help place a home schooled child at any other area site if space allows.

Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run | Kalamazoo Communities In Schools | 125 W. Exchange Place | Kalamazoo MI 49007
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