What We Do
At Girls on the Run we inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Trained coaches lead small teams through our research-based curricula which includes dynamic discussions, activities and running games. Over the course of the ten-week program, girls in 3rd-8th grade develop essential skills to help them recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one-of-a-kind. 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.
Why It Matters
Girls face social pressures and conflicting messages about how they should act and who they should be. Studies show that by adolescence, girls' confidence drops about twice as much as boys'. Friendships become more complicated and challenging, girls' perception of their academic ability declines, the likelihood of anxiety and depression increases and participation in physical activity plummets.
It doesn't have to be this way.
We believe that EVERY GIRL is inherently FULL OF POWER and POTENTIAL. By knowing they are the leaders of their lives, these are the girls who WILL CHANGE THE WORLD.
We Are Girls on the Run
Our Impact
A recent independent study led by Dr. Maureen Weiss, an expert in Positive Youth Development, found that Girls on the Run’s intentional life skills curriculum and highly trained coaches positively impact girls’ lives by helping them increase their self-confidence and ability to develop healthy relationships. Teachers routinely offer feedback that participation in the program increases academic performance and improves classroom behavior. Ninety-seven percent of participants said they learned critical life skills including managing emotions, intentional decision making, resolving conflict and helping others.
Girls on the Run is an Affiliate Council of Girls on the Run International, which has a network of over 200 councils across the United States and Canada.
Our Mission
We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.
Our Core Values
- Recognize our power and responsibility to be intentional in our decision making
- Embrace our differences and find strength in our connectedness
- Express joy, optimism and gratitude through our words, thoughts and actions
- Nurture our physical and emotional health
- Lead with an open heart and assume positive intent
- Stand up for ourselves and others
learn. dream. live. run.™
Important Dates
Fall 2023 Season:
- May 8, 2023: Fall 2023 Site Application opens until September 1, 2023
- May 8, 2023: Fall 2023 Coach Application opens
- August 1, 2023: Registration opens for the Fall 2023 GOTR and H&S Season
- August 1, 2023: Registration opens for Fall 2023 GOTR 5K for running buddies, past participants, and community runners
- September 10, 2023 1:00-5:00pm: Coach Training for Fall Season of GOTR, Leon Levine Hall, Boone, NC
- Week of September 18, 2023: Fall season start date for all sites
- December 10, 2023: GOTR-HC 5k, Wilkesboro
Spring 2024 Season:
- November 1, 2023: Spring 2024 Site Application opens until
- November 1, 2023: Spring 2023 Coach Application opens
- December 11 , 2023: Registration opens for the SPRING 2024 GOTR-HC Season
- January 28, 2024: Spring 2024 GOTR Coach Training (Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences)
- February 5, 2024: Spring 2024 season start date
- May 5, 2024: Spring 2024 season GOTR-HC 5k in Boone
Advisory Board
- Stacy Sears, App State Academic Services for Athletes
- Carol Cook, App State Department of Health and Exercise Science
- Talia Freeman, Beech Mountain Resort
- Mary Sheryl Horine, App State Institute for Health and Human Services
- Gary McCullough, Appalachian State University Beaver College of Health Sciences
- Heidi Tait, App State Institute for Health and Human Services
- Ashley Galleher, Zionville Ramps
- Lesley Sinkler Johnson, Beech Mountain Resort
- Kate Prisco, Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation
- Hallie Donadio, App State student
- Gavin Colquitt, App State Institute for Health and Human Services
- Megan Laws, Watauga County Schools
- Haleigh Hogg, SkyLine/ SkyBest
- Anna Oakes, App State University Communications