FAIRFAX, VA – Girls on the Run of NOVA- Registration for the spring 2024 season of Girls on the Run is open through 11:59 p.m. on February 27. The confidence-building out-of-school program will begin the week of March 4 and conclude at the celebratory 5K events the weekend of May 18-19.
Girls on the Run is much more than a running program. It gives kids a safe space to express themselves and provides them with the tools they need to be successful in all aspects of their lives.
Coach Lisa shares how GOTR gave one of her participants the strength to stand up for herself and others during the fall 2023 season.
"One of the girls on the team was being bullied and reached out to get adult support. I emailed the school to let them know what was going on, which resulted in discussions between the principal, parents, and a teacher," Lisa said. "A few weeks later the parents of this girl reached out to let me know that she and her classmates were no longer being bullied and she wasn't crying herself to sleep anymore. Sometimes all it takes is to be an advocate to create a gentle push and have the chips fall nicely in line.”
With caring coaches and a curriculum that introduces and allows kids to practice implementing key life skills, such as standing up for themselves and others, they are more prepared to take on life’s challenges.
Teams typically meet twice a week for 75-90 minutes and are led by volunteer coaches. Each practice has a corresponding lesson from the Girls on the Run research-based curriculum, which focuses on building social, emotional, and physical skills while encouraging healthy habits for life.
While many teams meet at schools, GOTR NOVA also offers community teams based out of neighbors, community centers, and parks. If you don’t hear of a team being offered at your school, make sure to check out GOTR NOVA’s interactive map to find a team near you!
Girls on the Run programming is specifically designed for elementary school girls starting in grade three, while Heart & Sole programming is created for middle school girls.
Currently, 104 teams throughout Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Loudoun, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Prince William are open for spring 2024 registration through February 27, 2024. For more information about spring registration and teams available in Northern Virginia, please visit our website at www.gotrnova.org.
If you are inspired by Coach Lisa’s story and are ready to create positive change in your community, apply to become a GOTR NOVA Coach!
About Girls on the Run of NOVA
Girls on the Run is a nonprofit organization with local Councils in all 50 states. Founded in 1996 with 13 girls, Girls on the Run has now served over 2 million girls. Over the course of the program, girls in 3rd-8th grade develop social, emotional and physical skills to successfully navigate life experiences. The program culminates with girls positively impacting their communities through a service project and being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K event. With the largest 5K series by number of events in the world, Girls on the Run hosts more than 330 5Ks per year. Girls on the Run is included as a top research-based program in a Social-Emotional Learning Guide developed by researchers at Harvard University and has been recognized by the National Afterschool Association (NAA) as one of the most influential after-school programs.
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