One girl put it this way, "I learned that I am the boss of my brain." Helping girls take charge of their lives and define the future on their terms. You can also think of it as Can University—a place where girls learn that they can. No limits. No constraints. Only opportunities to be remarkable.

Lots of ways, but we start with helping the girls get a better understanding of who they are and what's important to them. Then we look at the role of teams and healthy relationships. And, finally, we explore how girls can positively connect with and shape the world. And remember, we believe that life-changing experiences can be fun too—for everyone—the girls, coaches, families and other volunteers. So don't be surprised when you hear laughter along with self-reflection and see beaming smiles across the beautiful, confident faces of our girls.

Studies show that girls between the ages of eight and twelve are still receptive to adult influence, while beginning to feel peer pressure. It is a period in our emotional and intellectual development when we become aware of and begin to recognize important life and relationship issues. In addition, learning to value physical activity early in life increases the likelihood of participants staying physically healthy into adulthood. Studies show that those who develop exercise habits by their teen years are most likely to maintain those habits for life. Regular, moderate exercise improves cardiovascular functioning, reduces the risk of developing breast cancer, osteoporosis and obesity and positively counters the effects of depression and anxiety.    

The program fee is $160 and includes:

• lessons conducted by two certified GOTR Coaches
• a healthy snack at each practice
• a GOTR water bottle
• lesson handouts and materials
• fun giveaway items from national sponsors
• an official Girls on the Run program t-shirt
• Practice 5k and GOTR 5k race registration
• GOTR 5k t-shirt and medal

Yes. It is the policy of Girls on the Run of Gaston County to offer our program to all girls who desire to participate, regardless of their family’s financial status. Families who are unable to pay the program registration fee may be awarded financial aid based on their income. Scholarships are granted on a first come, first served basis, and may be limited by the resources available at the time of application.    

Children’s bodies are well suited for endurance exercise, and numerous studies have shown that children show many positive physiological adaptations to endurance exercise training. The keys are gradual progression and common-sense adult supervision. If those conditions are met, running 3 miles is a reasonable goal for most young people.

-Russell R. Pate, Ph.D., Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina

Girls on the Run is much more than a running program. Our program follows a research-based curriculum that has been tested and proven to “statistically improve girls’ self-esteem and body image.” The curriculum involves games and activities that reinforce the key concepts in each lesson so that the girls are exposed to and encouraged to actively participate in making the connection between what the lessons are teaching and “real” life situations. Upon completion of the program girls not only have increased physical fitness, they are more confident and have a set of “tools” to deal with peer pressure and other issues of adolescence.

We find that our teams work best 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 lesson activities to be effective, and we need to ensure the size of the group is manageable for our coaches. Because we want each girl to contribute to our conversations during each lesson, we are committed to keeping the groups to a reasonable size. Sites that have more than 15 girls who want to join the program may be considered for multiple teams if space and resources allow. Generally, new groups are not added at the last minute due to the time needed to prepare for a group, train and screen coaches, etc.

Our Head Coaches are female volunteers who have attended coach and First Aid- CPR training and completed a thorough background check. Coaches serving at Gaston County Schools are also registered with the school system as Gaston County School Volunteers. Women and men can serve as Assistant Coaches. Coaches do not have to be runners to volunteer but should be committed to sharing their passion for living a healthy, active lifestyle with the young women in our program.    

Attendance is required two days a week. Our program emphasizes team building and group activities that require everyone to be present. It is very important to the girls’ and teams’ success that they participate in both sessions each week.

Girls on the Run is a rain or shine program! In the event of rain, practice will be held indoors at your daughter’s site. If school is cancelled for inclement weather, practice will be cancelled as well.

• Your daughter should wear comfortable clothes. T-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, and sweats are the best options. Remember that most days the girls will be outside so they will need to dress appropriately and layering may be necessary.
• Your needs to wear socks and athletic shoes. If she comes to practice in sandals, flip-flops or other shoes that are not safe to run in, she may participate in the lesson; however, she will not be able to run. Running barefoot is never allowed.
• A water bottle so that she can stay hydrated during the session.
• A positive, can-do attitude

We do our best to include home-schooled girls. Please contact Council Director Kathleen Boyce ([email protected]; ) to discuss available options.

The GOTR 5k is not a requirement; however, it is the culminating event of our program and the goal of ten weeks of training. All girls participate in a Practice 5k (the Charlotte International Airport Runway 5k in the fall and the Community Foundations’ Run for the Money in the spring) and are prepared for the GOTR 5k. This is a great opportunity for family, friends, and other GOTRs to support and encourage each other in a celebration of what the girls have accomplished during the season.