VERNON — If you could help not just one girl, but 15 young girls, gain a stronger sense of identity, greater self-acceptance, a healthier body, and an understanding of what it means to be part of a community in just a few hours a week, would you?
Girls on the Run Vermont is seeking volunteer coaches at new and established sites throughout the state to run its 10-week program - no prior coaching or running experience is required, and training will be provided. Up to 12 new communities and schools may establish sites for the 2012 season.
Girls on the Run is the umbrella organization for two experiential learning programs: Girls on the Run, for grades 3 through 5, and Girls on Track, for grades 6 through 8. The programs are offered during after school hours nationwide and incorporate training for a 3.1-mile run/walk into self-esteem-enhancing, uplifting workouts. In addition, each group performs a community service project.
Throughout, Girls on the Run encourages positive emotional, social, and physical development, together with the recognition that each girl is part of a larger community. Each site will be provided with a detailed curriculum. Each 90-minute lesson in the curriculum includes a “getting on board” exercise, a warm-up activity, a stretch routine with question and answer time, a workout with a team goal, a cool-down and stretch, and a closing cheer or words of encouragement. In 2011, some 2,400 girls around the state took part in the program.
“When young girls are put in a comfortable environment, one where they feel safe and encouraged, they thrive,” said Nancy Heydinger, executive director of Girls on the Run Vermont. “This is what I see over and over in our participants. They see themselves succeed - by their own standards - and see themselves in a new light. Self-confidence drives so many other changes. A girl who believes in herself becomes more outgoing and more willing to take healthy risks.”
In fact, a national impact evaluation study determined that the Girls on the Run curriculum positively affects participants' self-esteem, body size satisfaction, and physical activity behaviors.
One Vermont father said of his daughter's experience with the program, “My daughter Sydney was so pleased that she ran the entire Girls on the Run 5k without stopping to walk. It is by far one of the proudest accomplishments in her young life. I feel strongly that because of GOTR, Sydney knows that if she puts her mind to it, she can do anything she wants.”
And the mother of another participant said, “I was jumping up and down and crying as I watched her cross the finish line. Her coach and a classmate (who happens to be a very strong runner) stayed with her, encouraging her, the entire run. Molly has a new self confidence and 'I can do it!' outlook on life thanks to the Girls on the Run program.”
Coaches come from a variety of backgrounds - teachers, nurses, guidance counselors, principals, paraprofessionals, parents and community members. A minimum of two coaches is needed at each site; individuals may serve in either a head or an assistant coach capacity. All coaches must attend a free training session.
Coach training sessions will be held in various locations around the state and require pre-registration. An “early bird” training is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 12, in Berlin; nine more trainings are slated for January and February.
For detailed information about coaching, establishing a new site, or registering for a training, as well as a list of the 2011 site locations, visit www.girlsontherunvermont.org, or find them on Facebook.