About Girls on the Run

The Mission: To educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.

The Program: Girls on the Run is a non-profit prevention program which uses an interactive curriculum and running to encourage preteen girls in developing self-respect and healthy lifestyles. Our curricula address all aspects of girls’ development-their physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing. The lessons are aimed at providing girls the tools to avoid risky adolescent behaviors such as drug or alcohol use, early sexual activity and eating disorders/obesity.

Demographics

  • Girls on the Run Program: pre-teen girls ages 8-11 years (3rd-5th graders)
  • Girls on Track Program: girls ages 12-14 years (6th-8th graders)
  • Program Facilitators/Coaches: women ages 18 and older

The Growth of Girls on the Run, International

  • Founded in 1996 by four-time Hawaii Ironman Triathlete, teacher & counselor Molly Barker
  • Headquartered in Charlotte, NC with member councils in almost 100 communities across the United States and Canada;
  • Growth Rate: From 3 councils in 1998 to 94 councils at the end of 2003; from 200 participants in 1998 to 14,000+ participants in 2003; over 30,000 participants have completed the program since 1996
  • Recognized on NBC News and in PEOPLE, Better Homes and Gardens, Runner’s World, Running Times, Cooking Light, Walking Magazine, Parent Magazine, American Girl Magazine, Healthy Kids Magazine, Daughter’s Newsletter, ESPN, and local newspapers all over the country; Molly Barker’s book Girls on Track: A Parent’s Guide to Inspiring Our Daughters was published by Ballentine books in March, 2004
  • Molly Barker was named “One of America’s Most Inspirational Women” by Runner’s World and featured in the ESPN Special “Apple Pie-Raising Champions” (along with Drew Bledsoe, Kenny Lofton, Mia Hamm, Grant Hill and others); she will be involved in the 2004 Oprah Hi, Gorgeous Tour as an expert in inspiring women and girls.

Program Design

  • Our three 24-lesson curricula teach life skills through running games and workouts. The curricula are based on extensive educational research and “on-the-track” testing of lessons.
  • The three-part curriculum is taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches and covers: Who am I? What are my values? What are my goals? Team Building: What does it mean to be supportive and supported? Finding My Place and My Voice in the Community
  • Girls choose and conduct a community service project
  • At each season’s conclusion, girls have a chance to complete a 3.1 mile community running event with their “team”

Results to Date

  • Academic evaluation of the program by Dr. Rita DiGioacchino DeBate (University of North Carolina Charlotte; Dept. Health Behavior and Administration) show a “statistically significant” improvement in body image, eating attitudes and self-esteem
  • Anecdotal evidence also indicates an improved sense of identity and an increasingly active lifestyle for program participants

For more information: Contact Stacy Stahl, YWCA, Girls on the Run Council Director 336-3662 ext. 40 or email sstahl@ywca-sf.org

This program is brought to you by the YWCA of Sioux Falls and Sioux Empire United Way.