New Site
Information Packet
Empowering girls with the
character they need to become strong, healthy women.
confidence and
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT STARTING A NEW SITE, PLEASE CONTACT: CARYNN OLSEN DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS 773.342.1250
[email protected]
About Girls on the Run-Chicago
Girls on the Run-Chicago (GOTRC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. Our program combines training for a 5k (3.1 mile) running event with lesson plans designed to promote positive choices and an active lifestyle. Girls on the Run was created in Charlotte, NC in 1996 by Molly Barker, a social worker and 4-time Hawaii Ironman triathlete. Girls on the Run serves councils in 47 states and Canada.
Girls on the Run Curricula
Girls on the Run is the name of the organization, but we offer two programs: Girls on the Run for 3rd-5th grade girls and Girls on Track for 6th-8th grade girls. The principle philosophies and psychological research for both programs are the same, yet some topics and discussion questions vary for developmental reasons. The Girls on Track curriculum allows for deeper discussion on topics becoming more and more relevant as girls grow into middle school, providing a safe outlet for discussion at this crucial stage of development. Each curriculum covers 20-24 lessons, and each lesson follows a general pattern incorporating lesson goals. Lesson Format
1. Getting On Board
As the girls arrive and settle into a circle, the coach “checks in” with them, sees how each is feeling, gets a feel for the group’s dynamic for the day, and introduces the topic of the lesson. This portion of the lesson will include an activity and discussion. 2. Warm Up
Next is a game - perhaps a short relay or some other brief activity. The topic of the lesson is incorporated into the game. For instance, in one of the first lessons, the coach marks off a short running course. The girls stand at one spot and the coach calls out a “like statement” - “I like chocolate chip cookies,” or “I like math.” All those girls who agree with the statement run (or walk, or jog - they set their own pace) the course marked out by the coach. These statements continue, with contributions by the girls, until everyone has had a chance to run and warm up. With their muscles warmed up a bit, the coach leads the girls through a brief stretching session. During that time, the girls and the coach “process” the topic. In this example, they might discuss how people can have different likes and dislikes and still be friends, or how our likes and dislikes develop, etc. 3. Workout
This involves more actual running. For instance, in the session on positive attitude, each girl may be asked to make a positive statement about herself to the coach each time she completes a lap. The season starts with shorter periods of running and builds up as the coaches assess each girl’s ability and pace. Eventually, the workout will build up to a practice 5k to build the girls’ confidence for participating in the actual 5k event. 4. Cool Down
After the workout, there is cool down and more processing. The session always ends with a cheer and a healthy snack.
Curriculum Format The curriculum is divided generally into three parts: 1. All About Me The first lessons in the curriculum are centered on the girls getting to know themselves, examining their own values, their likes and dislikes, and who they envision themselves to be. As the girls get to know themselves, they are also sharing with each other. 2. Building My Team The next group of lessons concentrates on team building, being supportive, and learning to listen and cooperate. 3. Community Begins with Me The last group of lessons relates to the world at large, including making a contribution to your world (family, school, etc.) and also the negative messages we can receive from the world (media awareness, negative peer pressure, etc.). The lessons conclude with participation in a 5k run. We participate in our very own running event, The Girls on the Run 5k, in both fall and spring. These are great events that celebrate strength, health, and wellness. Potential Sites GOTRC has programs running at more than 300 elementary and middle schools in Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane, Will, Kankakee and Kendall counties. The program can also be run at some community sites as well (Boys and Girls Clubs, park districts, churches, etc.) Site Involvement GOTRC provides almost everything needed to run the program, but each site has the following responsibilities: • Provide a Site Coordinator. This person is responsible for collecting registration forms and fees, distributing program and race information, and recruiting girls to participate in the GOTRC program. We prefer that this person is a school employee, but in some circumstances another person (e.g. a parent) can fulfill this role. • Provide at least two coaches to be trained by GOTRC • Schedule two days per week that the program will run for at least one hour and 15 minutes per session. • Collect individual program fees and promptly pay GOTRC upon receipt of invoice • Provide a safe outdoor place for running. This does not have to be a track—a field or parking lot is fine. • Provide a “rainy day” indoor site (classroom, gym, etc.) • Participate in our evaluation for the spring season (when applicable)
Coaches All coaches must be CPR and First Aid certified and participate in an intensive 5 hour coach training session before the season starts. Coaches are provided with a research-based curriculum which has been used successfully here in the Chicagoland area since 1999. We require a minimum of two coaches at each site. Each coach has the following minimal responsibilities: • Attend a 5 hour coach training
• Become CPR and First Aid certified (Girls on the Run-Chicago offers opportunities for coaches to receive this certification for free)
• Be present at each session of the 10 or 12 week season (two days per week for at least one hour and 15 minutes per session) • Prepare for and supervise all lessons in a manner consistent with the Girls on the Run philosophy and curriculum • Attend the end-of-season 5k with the girls
• Administer the evaluation (pre-test and post-test) during the spring season (when applicable) GOTRC recruits volunteers who become trained coaches and can sometimes be assigned to a site when that site is unable to provide coaches. Parents and teachers who have not been trained are welcome to attend lessons occasionally to assist coaches and girls, offer encouragement and generally be cheerleaders for the team, but they should not be given coaching responsibilities, nor should they be a disruption to the development of the group dynamic. Group Size We require a minimum of 8 girls and limit each group to a maximum of 15 girls with two trained coaches. You may have a group of up to 20 participants with 3 trained coaches. Because much of our curriculum is related to team building and group dynamics, fewer than 8 girls can make it difficult to implement the curriculum lessons and provide the experience we want to offer the girls. More than 15 – 20 girls stretches coach materials too thin and makes it difficult to establish group rapport and allow each girl to fully participate in the curriculum. If more than 20 girls at your site are interested in the program, you can have multiple groups as long as you have enough volunteer coaches to support each group.
Timing and Length of Season We currently have two sessions of Girls on the Run each year:
• Fall Season begins in early September, runs for 10 weeks (meeting twice each week), and ends in mid November with the Girls on the Run 5k.
• Spring Season begins in February, runs for 12 weeks (meeting twice each week), and ends in late May/early June with the Girls on the Run 5k Series. One week off for spring break is factored into this schedule. End of Season Girls on the Run-Chicago 5k! The Girls on the Run-Chicago 5k is an amazing celebration of the season. For many girls, this is the biggest challenge - and biggest accomplishment - of Girls on the Run. The goal of Girls on the Run is for the girls to do their best and HAVE FUN! Girls are not encouraged to race competitively, but are encouraged to reach their own goals. For many girls, that’s making it to the finish line - whether it is by walking, running or skipping! In Spring, the Girls on the Run-Chicago 5k Series will be held at three separate locations on three different dates to accommodate our growing landscape of participating girls and families.
For safety reasons, each Girl on the Run must complete the 5k with a RUNNING BUDDY at her side to cheer her on and get her to the finish line safely. If a girl cannot find a Running Buddy, we have a group of AWESOME female volunteers that come to our 5ks for the sole purpose of taking on this important role. Running Buddies must register for the 5k. Please view our website www.gotrchicago.org for more information regarding Running Buddies, including a Running Buddy Job Description.
Girls on the Run-Chicago will provide a bus to/from the 5k for all girls registered in the Girls on the Run program and their registered coaches. If any additional people (family members, Running Buddies, teachers, etc.) would like to also ride on the bus, they may do so for an additional fee. Our approved transportation vendor is All Events Transportation (AET). For safety reasons, no other buses will be allowed on the 5k site.
Fees Our program fees each season range from $35 to $175 per girl.
% Free/Reduced Lunch
Program Fee
Tier A
0-14
$175
Tier B
15-29
$125
Tier C
30-49
$85
Tier D
50 +
$35
Included in the program fee are: • 20-24 lessons conducted by two certified GOTRC coaches • healthy snacks at each lesson • lesson handouts • a GOTRC t-shirt and water bottle • the registration fee for the season-ending 5k event for each girl • an event-day goody bag • end of season certificates • GOTRC coach training and certification fees • all administrative assistance to coaches, sites, girls and parents Financial Assistance In the event that a girl is unable to afford the cost for the program, we will do everything we can to offer her financial assistance. Families will have the opportunity to apply for financial assistance when they register their daughters online. Our intention is to offer the Girls on the Run program to as many girls as possible and we do not want fees to prohibit participation. Evaluation Girls in the program are given academically evaluated pre- and post-tests to measure physical, emotional and attitudinal changes, which helps us to evaluate our programs. GOTRC coordinates the program evaluation during the spring season. Getting Signed Up! Application dates are as follows:
For Spring – Applications must be submitted by December 15 in order to be considered for the spring season that begins in February. For Fall – Applications must be submitted by June 30 in order to be considered for the fall season that begins in September.
Please note that GOTRC is rapidly expanding and we’re doing our best to accommodate as many new site requests as possible. Unfortunately, it may not be feasible to start a program at your particular site immediately, due to funding and staff limitations. Contact Us If you are interested in starting a Girls on the Run or Girls on Track program, please contact Carynn Olsen at
[email protected] or complete a New Site Application available on our website:www.gotrchicago.org.
