Reply to Girls On The Run experiences?

Forum Index » Elementary School-Aged Kids

Reply to "Girls On The Run experiences?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]Hi, OP.  This will probably be a long response, but let me try to give you some answers.

1. Girls on the Run (GOTR) is not a running program.  It is a character development program (my words) that uses training for running a 5K as the basis for delivering a curriculum geared towards the physical, mental and emotional health of young girls.   If you are looking for a class or camp or group to teach your child running form and how to race varying distances, something like a track team for young kids, this is not it.  It's not that the running is diluted by the talks (your words), those talks are the point of the program!

2. Coaches might be teachers, parents or volunteers from the community.  In all cases, they have undergone background checks, CPR training and GOTR coaches training in delivering the curriculum.  Your daughter may end up with coaches with a running background themselves who might be able to offer running form-specific tips to the girls, but that's not a specific objective of the program or requriement for the coaches.  The real requirement is an interest in girls, the issues they face, and a commitment to giving them the tools to empower themselves as they approach their tween and teen years which are scary times to navigate.

3. Each session is comprised of a few components - a warm-up, discussion/activity around the topic of the day, the running portion, and a cool-down/summation of the topic.  In many cases, the running itself is not just straight laps, built in are given activities or objectives or instructions.

4.  You didn't mention whether you are in DC, MD or VA.  The curriculum is the same nationwide, but call your local council office and they can talk to you about the curriculum.  They usually work through issues focused on me-my immediate family/community-the broader world/community.  Topics have included things like healthy eating, bullying, gossiping, media images and messages.

I was a coach for a number of years and had a couple of girls who sound like your daughter.  One in particular comes to mind (she is now a smart, funny, beautiful and self-confident member of her high school's track team).  Yes, she was bouncy and squirmy and a handful during her first GOTR season as a 3rd grader.  By her final season three years later, she was thoughtful and brought a lot of insight and compassion to our discussions.  I also coached girls who were forced to be there by their parents, and hated running.  And everything in between.  Like any good parent, teacher or group leader, the ideal coach will find ways to motivate and bring the girls together.  I communicated with my girls' parents regularly, letting them know what was on the agenda so they could follow up on the topics of discussion at home., and occasionally requesting their help in reminding their daughters how to respect others and take turns listening and sharing or whatever during the sessions.  IME, most of the girls were on the same page after a week or two with consistent, firm, loving coaching.

Call your council office and talk to the program director and ask her your questions.  I love and believe in this program, but also believe you need to be clear what it is and isn't before signing your daughter up for it.  Good luck, I hope your daughter has a great school year.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics