Q. Why this young age?

A.  Studies show that girls between the ages of eight and twelve are still receptive to adult influence, while beginning to feel peer pressure.  It's an age psychologists call the latency period of development when girls begin to confront important life and relationship issues.  As a prevention program, Girls on the Run initiates healthy decision making about difficult issues and really talking to their parents/caretakers before it's too late.

In addition, learning healthy exercise habits early in life increases the chances that participants will value their own physical fitness as adults. Recent studies show that only those who develop exercise habits in their teen years or earlier are likely to maintain those habits for life. It's well documented that regular, moderate exercise improves cardiovascular functioning, and reduces the risk of developing breast cancer, osteoporosis (brittle bones), and obesity. In addition, girls of this age are more open to the positive peer influences, positive adult role models and the confidence enhancing which are all parts of the GOTR experience.

A variation of the Girls on the Run program - Girls on Track - has proven positive with middle school participants.

Q.  Why do I have to attend training?
Why can't I just buy the curriculum and deliver the program?

A.  Our program is a lot more than a running program. Part of our goal is to establish a network of community based organizations which work together to achieve our mission. In addition, we believe that the style and manner in which our curricula are delivered is just as important as the content of the lessons.  Coaches (group facilitators) do not have to be top rate runners or athletes, but they do have to possess good facilitation skills, an ability to develop rapport with the girls and a sense of fun. They also have to be careful to not let any of their own "girl issues" interfere with their ability to deliver a top notch program. Attendance at a training allows you to understand the philosophy of the program, examine some of your own "girl-box" issues while at the same time fine-tuning your facilitation skills.  Plus, the training sessions are a lot of fun and fully prepare you to deliver a life-changing program.

Q.  What about a program for boys?

A.  [From the National Office] We have piloted a boys program within our Charlotte, NC Council for several years now which unfortunately has had little or no success. In early 2005 we were faced with the decision to cancel the pilot program due to lack of interest and have also decided to not roll out the boys program to our other councils within the United States. Although it was a difficult decision to make, we could not continue to allocate resources towards an unsuccessful program.

We have seen that the boys’ interest in the program is not nearly as strong as the girls’ interest. Many times we found that it was not the boy’s but the parent’s decision to join the program, which resulted in a lack of motivation to become committed to the entire program. We have also had a great deal of trouble recruiting and retaining male coaches for the program. Although we would certainly welcome and encourage women to be involved as volunteers and assistant coaches, because of the nature of some of the topics within the lessons, we believe strongly that a male mentor would be more appropriate to serve within the head coach role, just as we do with women in the Girls on the Run program. We have been very disappointed in the amount of support from participants, volunteers and sponsors - all of which are fundamental to having a successful program.

We hope that the support needed to have a successful program will present itself in the future. We will continue to have Boys on the Run in our long range plan. It is our wish that one day we have a program equally as successful for boys as we have for girls.

Q.  How much does it cost?

A.  The cost is $150 per girl. We offer scholarship for all girls that request financial assistance. We turn NO girl away from our program due to financial limitations. See below for more information.

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

A.  We turn NO child away from our program due to financial limitations.  We are committed to raising funds so that every girl who wants to participate can have the chance to do.  Each child who requests one will receive a scholarship application, which should be filled out and sent back to the coach or Girls on the Run of NOVA office.  If you would like to sponsor a girl, please contact us.

Q.  What does the program fee include?

•   lessons conducted by certified GOTR® Coaches
•   a water bottle
•   comprehensive insurance
•   participation in the 5K running Event
•   healthy snacks
•   official GOTR T-shirt
•   official GOTR 5K race t-shirt

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

A  Within Northern Virginia, we deliver the program in all interested school districts (Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William Counties). Our territory is defined in conjunction with Girls on the Run International each year.

If Girls on the Run is not in a school in our program area, we can help you bring the program your way.  Contact a Program Coordinator for more information.

Starting a Program Information

Q.  Can my daughter repeat the program?
 

A.  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 season, so our girls experience similar topics with different games and activities from one season 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.

Q.  Why are programs limited to 20 girls?
 

A.  We find that our programs are most effective with 15 to 20 girls. Much of the GOTR curriculum is designed to build team dynamics among the girls. Teams must have at least 10 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 firmly committed to keeping the groups to a reasonable size. If sites have more than 20 girls who want to join the program, they may be considered for multiple programs if space and resources allow.  

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

A.  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.

Q.  Can my home schooled child join GOTR?
 

A.  Yes!  We are happy to help place a home schooled child at any other area site if space allows.  We must give priority to the girls at the site's school, but will do our best to find available space for a home-schooled child.

Please send us an email if you have a question not answered on this page!