Girls on the Run: 3rd – 5th Grade Program
Over a period of 10-12 weeks, girls in the 3rd through 5th grade participate in an after-school program like no other. Designed to allow every girl to recognize her inner strength, the Girls on the Run curriculum inspires girls to define their lives on their own terms. Throughout the season, the girls make new friends, build their confidence and celebrate all that makes them unique.
The Girls on the Run lessons encourage positive emotional, social, mental and physical development. Participants explore and discuss their own beliefs around experiences and challenges girls face at this age. They also develop important strategies and skills to help them navigate life experiences. We start with helping the girls get a better understanding of who they are and what’s important to them. Then, we look at the importance of teamwork and healthy relationships. And, finally, the girls explore how they can positively connect with and shape the world. (see a sample lesson plan or learn about our research outcomes)
Physical activity is woven into our program to inspire an appreciation of fitness and to build habits that lead to a lifetime of health. At the end of each session, the girls participate in a 5K run. This celebratory, non-competitive event is the culminating experience of the curriculum. Completing the 5K gives the girls a tangible understanding of the confidence that comes through accomplishment, as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. Crossing the finish line is a defining moment when the girls realize that even the seemingly impossible IS possible.
Girls on the Run is intended for those who identify as girls (regardless of their assigned sex at birth), non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, and/or youth exploring their gender identity or expression and youth whose genders and gender identities have been historically marginalized.
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Heart & Sole: 6th – 8th Grade Program
Heart & Sole is Girls on the Run’s program for middle school girls! Heart & Sole creates a positive, structured space for middle school girls to learn about themselves, explore new ideas, cultivate empathy, strengthen connections and develop life skills that will help them as they move through adolescence and beyond.
The Heart & Sole curriculum is rich with themes girls can relate to, addressing the whole girl—body, brain, heart, spirit and social connection—and building important life skills such as team building, developing a support system, boundary setting, decision making, asking for and providing help and more. (see a sample lesson plan)
This 10-week program is accessible to all girls regardless of athletic ability or fitness level and considers the range of ages and varied experiences of middle schoolers. Physical activity includes strength and conditioning appropriate for this age group. The season culminates with the Girls on the Run 5K, which is the celebratory event that underscores the confidence, competence, connection, character and caring they’ve been developing in the program and gives them a tangible sense of goal setting and achievement.
Girls on the Run is intended for those who identify as girls (regardless of their assigned sex at birth), non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, and/or youth exploring their gender identity or expression and youth whose genders and gender identities have been historically marginalized.
Start a Team H&S Girl Registration
Our Coaches
All Girls on the Run coaches are volunteers who believe in our mission and have a passion for helping girls be true to themselves. Each year, more than 600 women give their time to be a part of Girls on the Run. Many of our coaches say they get as much out of the program as the girls do. All coaches are trained by Girls on the Run of the Rockies and go through background checks.