At Girls on the Run we inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Trained coaches lead small teams through our research-based curricula which includes dynamic discussions, activities and running games. Over the course of the ten-week program, girls in 3rd-8th grade develop essential skills to help them navigate their worlds and establish a lifetime appreciation for health and fitness. The program culminates with girls positively impacting their communities through a service project and being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K event.

why it matters

Girls face social pressures and conflicting messages about how they should act and who they should be. Studies show that by adolescence, girls' confidence drops about twice as much as boys'. Friendships become more complicated and challenging, girls' perception of their academic ability declines, the likelihood of anxiety and depression increases and participation in physical activity plummets.

It doesn't have to be this way.

We believe that EVERY GIRL is inherently FULL OF POWER and POTENTIAL. By knowing they are the leaders of their lives, these are the girls who WILL CHANGE THE WORLD.

what girls learn

confidence

Lessons are designed to build girls' self-worth and help them feel greater confidence in who they are. Activities help girls recognize their personal strengths and teach them how to stand up for themselves and others.

character

By gaining awareness of the power they possess to make intentional decisions, girls learn to choose positive actions which demonstrate respect and responsibility towards themselves and others.

care

Throughout each season, girls learn to respond to others and themselves with care and compassion. Lessons and activities further develop their abilities to sympathize and empathize both within and beyond their social groups.

connections

Girls on the Run lessons focus on cooperative skills and team building through a positive group setting. Girls learn firsthand how to create positive connections with parents and caregivers, teachers, peers and their communities.

competence

Our program provides skill-building experiences to nurture girls' physical, social and emotional competencies that they apply in other areas of their lives such as home, school, and in the neighborhood. Completing a 5K at the end of the season gives them a tangible opportunity to apply all that they have learned.

contribution

When girls develop and strengthen these life skills, they can thrive. More importantly, they can then develop a final skill: CONTRIBUTION. Girls on the Run inspires girls to build lives of purpose and to make a meaningful contribution to community and society. This comes to life through a key element of the curricula when each team creates and executes a community service project.

our programs

Girls On The Run

Grades 3-5

Girls on the Run is our program for girls in 3rd-5th grade that encourages girls to recognize their individual strengths and celebrate connections with others. Each season, girls gain a better understanding of who they are and what's important to them, the value of teamwork and healthy relationships and how they can have a positive impact on the world. Girls also make a meaningful contribution to their community through a team-organized Community Impact Project. Physical activity is woven into the program to inspire an appreciation for fitness and healthy habits and teach life skills including treating others with care, practicing gratitude and managing emotions. Each season culminates with a Girls on the Run 5K event. This celebratory, non-competitive event provides girls with a sense of accomplishment and instills the value of goal setting at a young age.

Heart And Sole

Grades 6-8

Heart & Sole is Girls on the Run's middle school program that meets the unique needs of girls in 6th-8th grade. The program considers the whole girl - body, brain, heart, spirit and social connection - in a positive, structured space where girls can learn about themselves, explore new ideas, cultivate empathy and strengthen connections. Running is incorporated into each lesson to encourage physical wellness and teach life skills such as team building, creating a support system, standing up for themselves and others and decision making. The girls prepare for a celebratory Girls on the Run 5K event at the end of the program. This non-competitive event fosters goal setting and a sense of confidence through accomplishment to last a lifetime.

High School

Grades 9-12 and beyond

We encourage and appreciate students at this level getting involved as volunteers and coaches. These opportunities include junior coaches and 5K volunteers.

Volunteer

Every girl can participate in GOTR, regardless of her family's ability to pay. To qualify for assistance, families are required to indicate their income level during the online application process using the provided guidelines. For questions about assistance, please contact sarah@capareagirlsontherun.org

Learn More

program evaluations

The Girls on the Run program has been evaluated for impact since 2002. Studies showed improvement in girls' self-esteem, body image, eating attitudes and physical activity. Findings from a national evaluation showed improvement in confidence, caring, character and connection during the season for girls who had initially scored low on these life skills.

An independent researcher is currently conducting a study to assess the long-term effectiveness of our program.

Girls on the Run Capital Area
525 North 12th Street
Suite 205
Lemoyne, PA 17043

(717) 763-4869

info@capareagirlsontherun.org

DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN GIRLS ON THE RUN?
JOIN OUR ALUMNI NETWORK

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

About Us

Our Programs
Our Organization
Our Locations
Start a Site
Financial Aid

Get Involved

Make An Impact

Donate Now
Monthly Giving
Fundraise
SoleMates
Partner