Blue Cross NC Institute for Health and Human Services

Girls on the Run of the High Country

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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

Girls on the RunA 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 2022 Season:

  • August 1, 2022:  Registration opens for the Fall 2022 GOTR and H&S Season
  • September 11, 2022 1:00-5:00pm: Coach Training for Fall Season of GOTR, Leon Levine Hall, Boone, NC
  • September 19, 2022: Fall season start date for all sites in-person (changed from Sept. 12, 2022)
  • December 4, 2022: GOTR-HC 5k, Wilkesboro

Spring 2023 Season:

Newsletters

Advisory Board

  • Stacy Sears, Appalachian State University University College
  • Carol Cook, Appalachian State University Beaver College of Health Sciences
  • Talia Freeman, Beech Mountain Resort
  • Mary Sheryl Horine, Appalachian State University Institute for Health and Human Services
  • Amy McTier
  • Gary McCullough, Appalachian State University Beaver College of Health Sciences
  • Heidi Tait, Appalachian State University Institute for Health and Human Services
  • Ashley Galleher
  • Lesley Sinkler Johnson 
  • Kate Prisco, Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation
  • Hallie Donadio