Girls on the Run of South Central Wisconsin

Contact Information

Summary

Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based positive youth development program dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. Girls on the Run of South Central Wisconsin was originally established in Dane County and offered its first season to 13 girls at Shorewood Hills Elementary School in spring 2005. Since that time, programming has been expanded to Columbia, Dodge, Jefferson, Rock, Green, Iowa and Sauk Counties.

Each year, between our spring and fall seasons, GOTR of South Central Wisconsin strives to serve 2,000 local 3-5th grade girls and after 10 weeks of training with their inspiring volunteer coaches, they will be ready to run our celebratory 5K event – a run that gives the girls a tangible sense of achievement and a framework for setting and achieving life goals. Our girls experience joy, health, and confidence through running.

Meeting twice a week in small teams, Girls on the Run teaches 3-5th grade girls life skills through engaging lessons and fun movement and running activities. The curriculum is taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches and helps each girl celebrate her unique strengths and realize her power to change the world. During the program, each team creates and executes a local community impact project to demonstrate the unimaginable strength that comes from helping others. Finally, at each season’s conclusion, the girls and their running buddies complete a celebratory 5k running event that gives the girls a tangible sense of achievement and a framework for setting and achieving life goals.

By the end of the program, we expect that participants will:

• Develop and improve social, emotional and physical competence

• Feel confident in who they are

• Develop strong character

• Respond to others and oneself with care and compassion

• create positive connections with peers and caring adults

• Make a meaningful contribution to their community

• Set and achieve the goal of completing a 5K running event

In South Central Wisconsin, Girls on the Run has now served over 14,000 girls since our inaugural team of 13 girls in 2005. In 2019 we served 1,800 girls and awarded over $49,000 in scholarship funds to 400 families with financial need! No girl was turned away for an inability to pay. With nearly 30% of girls requiring a scholarship to participate, we seek support to ensure their access to our program.

Girls on the Run is a transformational program with proven results. With confidence levels for girls dropping at age 9 and physical activity levels peaking at age 10, now more than ever, our world needs girls that are equipped to manage the challenges that come with adolescence. According to results from our recent longitudinal study, over 97% of participants learned critical life skills related to managing emotions, resolving conflict, and helping others. And over 85% of participants experienced improved levels of confidence and connection with others.

A Girls on the Run alum who is now graduating from high school recently reflected back on her time in the program as a third grader. Alexandria noted, “I learned some of the most important things at Girls on the Run – how to be a more positive person, how to express my thoughts and feelings in healthy ways, and how to take more responsibility for my own life.” We are particularly proud of the lasting impact this program has on our participants.