Girls On The Run Northeast Ohio

Programs: Girls on the run is a physical activity based youth development program which uses a research-based curriculum, running and other exercise to teach life skills and encourage regular physical activity and healthy lifestyles. The girls on the run curriculum is implemented by trained volunteers who foster a caring and safe environment and develop meaningful relationships with the girls. The research-based girls on the run curriculum teaches life skills through lessons promoting competence, confidence, connection, character and contribution to one's community, the critical components of a positive youth development program. Girls on the run northeast ohio introduced curriculum 3 during the fall 2015 season at sites serving girls in 3rd - 5th grades. Curriculum 3 was used again during the spring 2016 season; thereafter, it will rotate with curriculums 1 and 2 for this age group and a new curriculum will be added in spring 2018. Girls in 6th - 8th grades have been using the girls on track curriculum; however, girls on the run international recently introduced heart & sole, an updated curriculum teaching the core values of girls on the run and introducing a strong leadership development component. Girls on the run northeast ohio rolled out heart & sole during the spring 2016 season. The intent of introducing this curriculum is to improve the impact experienced by girls as well as to increase the number of middle school aged-girls who participate. By the end of each season, girls develop and improve competence and strength of character, demonstrate greater self-confidence, treat themselves and others with care and compassion, and learn the power of helping others through their completion of a service project. The physical exercise component of each lesson prepares all girls to run or walk the girls on the run 5k, which serves as the culminating event of the 10 week program. Crossing the finish line builds a very real sense of competence as girls experience the confidence with comes through accomplishment. Combined together, these skills position girls to avoid unhealthy habits and risky behaviors, and lead them to being healthy - physically, mentally and socially. Girls on the run is effective and appropriate for girls of all races, ethnicities, social standing, fitness level, family or economic situation. The format of the program affords all girls the opportunity to be successful and we are able to engage girls with special needs. During the 2015-2016 school year, girls with blindness, autism, down's syndrome and physical disabilities participated. The target population for girls on the run is girls in 3rd-8th grades. A calendar year consists of two seasons (fall and spring) and extends for two, ten week sessions, on two afternoons a week although a handful of sites offer the program as part of the school day. Over 1,900 girls from summit, cuyahoga, medina, portage, lorain, and lake counties were served during the 2016-2017 school year. 34% of these girls came from families who were not able to pay all or a portion of the program fees because of the support girls on the run receives from foundations, corporation and individuals. It is anticipated that over 2,500 girls will be served in the 2017-2018 school year with the same or an increased percentage of girls coming from families who demonstrate an inability to pay the program fees. All girls on the run councils charge a program fee for girls to participate, and the revenues generated help pay for all supply, program and curriculum costs, incentives and healthy snacks for girls, the costs for holding the semi-annual 5k run, the recruitment, screening and training of volunteers, and professional staff to ensure the quality of the program and proper oversight of all participants. The program fee is 150. 00, yet the costs per girl of offering the program are higher. This fee amount is used to make the program affordable to families. A sliding scale based on household income is used to establish the amount to be paid by each girl's family. No girl is turned away who wants to participate because of her family's inability to pay the fee. Girls in need are provided with a voucher to purchase a pair of new athletic shoes so every girl can participate with pride and confidence. Healthy snacks - fruit, vegetables, pretzels, air-popped popcorn, low-fat cheese - are provided to all girls at every lesson to not only nourish them after school but also to teach them the importance of using good nutrition to properly fuel their bodies. 34,000 snacks were served during the 2016- 2017 school year. Additionally, each girl is given a water bottle and instructed to bring it, filled with water, to each lesson so they can stay properly hydrated. The 5k is the final, celebratory event of the 10 week program. All girls, the program volunteers, family members and friends of girls on the run will run or walk the untimed, family-friendly 5k. Every girl wears a race bib with "1" on it and receives a medal when she crosses the finish line. 1,500 runners joined the girls and volunteers at the fall and spring 5ks. The non-competitive 5k is open to the community. The 5k was moved to the university of akron in spring 2017 due to the large growth. Anecdotal stories from parents, volunteers and school staff abound regarding the impact girls on the run participation has on girls who were once hesitant to raise their hand in class, ask for help on an assignment they didn't understand, run a lap around the gym, try a new or harder subject, or felt that they weren't "enough" in comparison to their peers. The following is one of those stories: "ruby was the last girl to finish the 5k. Many girls from our team, siblings, and a coach joined ruby to encourage her to the finish line. Our girls are the most encouraging and supportive people to others ruby has some special needs that we all needed to work together to address throughout the season, but the girls continued to support ruby despite these challenges. Ruby's mom frequently emailed me throughout the season telling me how good the program was for ruby. It seemed to give her an opportunity physically and socially outside of school that she wouldn't have otherwise had without gotr. " girls on the run seeks to engage the parents and caregivers of participants as well. To assist families in reinforcing the lessons learned at girls on the run, parents and caregivers are presented with a "grown up guide. " this guide provides a summary of each lesson topic and suggested questions and conversation starters to facilitate discussion between adult and child. Also included in the guides are 5 different plans for parents or caregivers at every fitness level to train to walk or run the 5k alongside their daughter. For many parents and siblings, the girls on the run 5k also serves as their first experience of completing a fitness event and inspires the family to commit to living healthier lifestyles.