A Lot More Than A Running Program-
Educating and preparing girls for a life time of self-respect and healthy living.
I was introduced to today's cause by a t-shirt! I was out and about and happened upon a young woman who was wearing a "Girls on the Run" T-shirt. I asked her about the program and she was genuinely excited to share it with me. Her excitement was contagious - I could tell this was an awesome program! Before leaving, I told her I would research her cause and post about it on my blog. She thanked me and I left that day uplifted by a wonderful volunteer who was doing what she could to make a difference in the lives of young girls.
Girls on the Run® is a life-changing, experiential learning programs for girls age eight to thirteen years old. The programs combine training for a 3.1 mile running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goals of the programs are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development.
The objective of Girls on the Run is to educate and empower girls at an early age in order to prevent the display of at-risk activities in the future. At risk activities include substance/alcohol use, eating disorders, early onset of sexual activity, sedentary lifestyle, depression, suicide attempts and confrontations with the juvenile justice system.
Girls on the Run® is a 501(c)3 positive youth development program which combines an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self-respect and healthy lifestyles in pre-teen girls. Our core curriculum addresses many aspects of girls’ development - their physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. Lessons provide girls with the tools to make positive decisions and to avoid risky adolescent behaviors
Girls on the Run honors its core values:
- We live our lives with gratitude
- We are honest
- We maintain balance in our lives
- We are tobacco and drug-free
- We seek the positive in life’s challenges
- We live outside the “Girl Box”
- We are open-minded
- We positively assert ourselves
- We make our best effort always
- We live with intention in the present
- We strive to improve our self-awareness
Girls on the Run has two programs:
- Girls on the Run -- for 3rd-5th graders
- Girls on Track -- for 6th-8th graders
Some Sad Facts For Today's Girls:
- Three million young Americans seriously considered suicide in 2000 and of those, over 1 million actually tried to kill themselves.
- Girls were twice as likely as boys to report contemplating suicide.
- Body dissatisfaction and dietary restraint are predictors of depression in girls.
- Almost two-thirds of girls in 5th-12th grades are dissatisfied with their body shape and want to lose weight.
- Girls as young as five form negative self-images based on their weight.
- Among girls, an emphasis on popularity and slimness along with increased television viewing are linked to low self-esteem.
If You Want To Help Change That, Here Is Some Good News:
- Girls who participate in physical activities are 40% less likely to smoke, have higher levels of self-esteem, better body images, and lower levels of depression.
- Girls who have experienced emotional trauma respond positively to physical fitness programs.
- Girls who participate in physical activities are less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior during adolescence.
- Girls who participate in physical exercise have better relationships with parents, get better grades, are less likely to use drugs and are less depressed than girls who don't.
As the father of a daughter who runs cross country and plays soccer in college... let me say "Thank you -Girls on the Run!"
Get Involved:
Donate to Girls on the Run.
Locate a GOTR council near you. (You can volunteer, sign up a girl or make a local donation.)
SHOP! Help the cause by purchasing some awesome GOTR swag!
Source: Girls on the Run
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