Girls on the Run is a positive  youth  development program for girls in grades 3-8 that uses running to teach values and a sense of self. The program combines training to participate in a non-competitive 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 and physical development. Further, we encourage participants to talk with their parents/caretakers, peers and siblings about the lessons they are learning at GOTR. The 24-lesson-plan curriculum attempts to change a girl's budding notion that how she looks is more important than who she is.

Program Design:

The Girls on the Run curriculum is based on experiential learning activities designed to teach participants about topics related to self-respect and healthy living. All classes are taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches.

• Each meeting begins with a getting-on-board and warm up activity designed to focus on the day's topic.
• The warm-up is followed by a stretching routine that allows for topic-related question and answer time.
• Then, during the workout period, the girls participate in a variety of running activities that are camouflaged in a game or team goal. Afterwards, cool-down stretching is then combined with participant asked and answered questions.

• Weeks 1-4: Understanding self and setting personal goals.
• Weeks 5-8: Learning about how to get along in a group.
• Weeks 9-12: Examining each girl's responsibility to the community.