Girls on the Run
Encyclopedia
Girls on the Run is a North American non-profit program that works to encourage pre-teen girls to develop self-respect
and health
y lifestyles through participation in running
programs. The organization’s curricula seek to address all aspects of the girls’ development to enhance their physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual well-being.
Local chapters operate under an umbrella organization
, Girls on the Run International, which develops curricula and provides support to the local chapters while encouraging the formation of additional chapters in areas not yet served by the program. International has received inquiries from at least 43 countries around the world.
program gave her "respect for my body and all the things it can do." She founded Girls on the Run in 1996 with an initial group of 13 girls. The next season, there were 75. In 2000, Girls on the Run International was recognized as a non-profit charitable organization. The program has grown to serve more than 60,000 girls a year, and nearly one million in its history.
International has reached out to communities, and there are now over 170 local councils in 41 U.S. states and in Canada. Although it does not operate in other countries, the organization, based in Charlotte, North Carolina
, has received inquiries from 43 countries around the world. Sports figures such as Derek Jeter
have lent their support, and the program has inspired others as well.
The season's activities include training to participate in the 5k run which caps off the program. These runs typically involve participants from the whole community, including the girls' "buddy runners", parents, and friends. Over 100 running events were organized in 2010; more are scheduled for 2011.
To keep the curriculum age-appropriate, Girls on the Run operates two programs for its participants. “Girls on the Run” is for 3rd–5th graders (approximately 8 through 10 years old). “Girls on Track” is directed to 6th–8th graders (11 through 13 years old).
Self-esteem
Self-esteem is a term in psychology to reflect a person's overall evaluation or appraisal of his or her own worth. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs and emotions such as triumph, despair, pride and shame: some would distinguish how 'the self-concept is what we think about the self; self-esteem, the...
and health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
y lifestyles through participation in running
Running
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
programs. The organization’s curricula seek to address all aspects of the girls’ development to enhance their physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual well-being.
Local chapters operate under an umbrella organization
Umbrella organization
An umbrella organization is an association of institutions, who work together formally to coordinate activities or pool resources. In business, political, or other environments, one group, the umbrella organization, provides resources and often an identity to the smaller organizations...
, Girls on the Run International, which develops curricula and provides support to the local chapters while encouraging the formation of additional chapters in areas not yet served by the program. International has received inquiries from at least 43 countries around the world.
Mission
The organization describes its mission: “We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.” To achieve this goal, it describes its vision as “To provide life-changing, high quality programs for girls; To provide life-changing and high quality experiences to the women developing and delivering the programs; To promote and provide an environment that allows girls and women to reach their full potential; To positively transform how girls and women perceive themselves and their place in society”. It accomplishes these goals by combining training for a running race with lessons to enhance the participants' social, physical, and mental health.History
Program founder Mary W. ("Molly") Barker (featured in the movie "Apple Pie") struggled in her own life, including a bout with alcoholism, and came to the realization that a runningRunning
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
program gave her "respect for my body and all the things it can do." She founded Girls on the Run in 1996 with an initial group of 13 girls. The next season, there were 75. In 2000, Girls on the Run International was recognized as a non-profit charitable organization. The program has grown to serve more than 60,000 girls a year, and nearly one million in its history.
International has reached out to communities, and there are now over 170 local councils in 41 U.S. states and in Canada. Although it does not operate in other countries, the organization, based in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, has received inquiries from 43 countries around the world. Sports figures such as Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
have lent their support, and the program has inspired others as well.
Program
The standard curriculum is divided into three parts:- The first eight lessons are centered on the participants’ getting to know themselves. They are encouraged to examine their values, their likes and dislikes, and how they envision themselvesSelf imageA person's self-image is the mental picture, generally of a kind that is quite resistant to change, that depicts not only details that are potentially available to objective investigation by others A person's self-image is the mental picture, generally of a kind that is quite resistant to change,...
. As the girls get to know themselves, they are also share with each other. Lesson topics and learning goals include "fueling our healthy pace", "centering: the importance of slowing down", and "celebrating gratitude".
- The next eight lessons concentrate on team building, being supportive, learning to listen and cooperate, etc. Lesson topics and learning goals include "standing up to peer pressure", "gossiping hurts everyone", and "it’s okay to choose my friends."
- The final eight lessons relate to the world at large. This includes making a contribution to one’s community and learning to recognize and deal with the negative messages people, and especially girls, often receive from the world (media awareness, negative peer pressure, etc.). Lesson topics and learning goals include "learning about community", "tuning into a new message" (media literacy), and the development and implementation of a group community project.
The season's activities include training to participate in the 5k run which caps off the program. These runs typically involve participants from the whole community, including the girls' "buddy runners", parents, and friends. Over 100 running events were organized in 2010; more are scheduled for 2011.
To keep the curriculum age-appropriate, Girls on the Run operates two programs for its participants. “Girls on the Run” is for 3rd–5th graders (approximately 8 through 10 years old). “Girls on Track” is directed to 6th–8th graders (11 through 13 years old).
External links
- Girls on the Run International
- Voice of AmericaVoice of AmericaVoice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
article on Girls on the Run - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services article on health and Girls on the Run
- Biography of Molly Barker