Girls on the Run of Central NJ Somerset, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean & Camden Counties

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New Site Information PacketFall or Spring Program

A Non-ProfitAfter School Youth Development Program

EMPOWER A GIRL, CHANGE THE WORLDGirls on the Run envisions a world where every girl knows and activates her

limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.

Girls on the Run - 3rd -5th Elementary School GirlsHeart & Sole - 6th-8th Grade Middle School Girls

Our Spring and Fall Programs are being delivered in:Somerset, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean & Camden Counties

We look forward to registering your school or community recreation center

GIRLS ON THE RUNThe$Girls$on$the$Run$mission$is$to$inspire$girls$to$be$joyful,$healthy$and$con:ident$using$a$fun,$experience<$based$curriculum$which$creatively$integrates$running.$Girls$on$the$Run$is$an$after$school$youth$development$program$for$girls$in$3–8th$grade.$The$10$week$curriculum$inventively$weaves$training$for$a$5k$run$with$lessons$that$empower$girls$to$celebrate$their$bodies,$honor$their$voices$and$embrace$their$gifts.$

Running$is$used$to$inspire$and$motivate$girls,$encourage$lifelong$health$and$:itness,$and$build$con:idence$through$accomplishment.$Important$social,$psychological,$and$physical$skills$and$abilities$are$developed$and$reinforced$throughout$the$program.$At$each$season’s$conclusion,$the$girls$and$their$running$buddies$complete$a$5k$running$event$which$gives$them$a$tangible$sense$of$achievement$as$well$as$a$framework$for$setting$and$achieving$life$goals.$

OUR$PROGRAMS$We$currently$offer$two$programs$with$age<appropriate$curriculums$for$each.$$$• Girls$on$the$Run$is$designed$for$girls$in$3rd<5th$grade$• Heart$&$Sole$is$designed$for$girls$in$6th<8th$grade$

OUR$VISION$• To$provide$life<changing$high$quality$programs$for$girls$• To$provide$life$changing$and$high$quality$experiences$to$the$women$delivering$the$programs$• To$promote$and$provide$an$environment$that$allows$girls$and$women$to$reach$their$full$potential$• To$positively$transform$how$girls$and$women$perceive$themselves$and$their$place$in$society$

WHY$GIRLS$ON$THE$RUN?$• Girls$on$the$Run$is$supported$in$our$community$and$has$been$offered$for$15$years.$The$Junior$League$of$Monmouth$County$supports$our$program$in$Monmouth$County.$Merrill$Lynch$supports$our$5K$race$in$Somerset$County$and$scholarships$are$provided$via$grants$from$several$generous$organizations.$

• Our$program$aligns$with$the$American$Academy$of$Pediatrics$Physical$Fitness$and$Activity$in$Schools$Report.$We$provide$an$extracurricular$activity$program$and$research$based$curricula$that$emphasizes$enjoyable$participation$and$con:idence$needed$to$adopt$and$maintain$a$healthy$lifestyle$

• Our$10$week$program$provides$activities$such$as$running,$playing$games,$team$building$and$discussing$important$age$appropriate$topics$such$as$peer$pressure$and$the$importance$of$making$healthy$choices.$

• The$program$concludes$with$all$participants$walking$or$running$in$a$community$Girls$on$the$Run$5K$event.$This$involves$the$family,$friends$and$community$at$large.$

• The$program$utilizes$a$whole$person$approach$to$elevate$emotional,$social,$mental$and$physical$health.$

www.gotrcnj.org

About Our Girls on the Run Program

Me + Relationships + CommunityMeeting$twice$a$week$in$small$teams$of$8<20$girls,$we$teach$life$skills$through$fun,$engaging$lessons$that$celebrate$the$joy$of$movement.$The$24<lesson$curriculum$is$taught$by$certi:ied$Girls$on$the$Run®$coaches$and$includes$three$parts:$understanding$ourselves,$valuing$relationships$and$teamwork$and$understanding$how$we$connect$with$and$shape$the$world$at$large.$$

Over$the$course$of$the$program,$girls$will$develop$and$improve$competence,$feel$con:idence$in$who$they$are,$develop$strength$of$character,$respond$to$others$and$oneself$with$care$and$compassion,$create$positive$connections$with$peers$and$adults,$and$make$a$meaningful$contribution$to$community$and$society.$$

Power through ServiceAcknowledging$that$accomplishment$has$many$:lavors,$each$team$creates$and$executes$a$local$community$service$project.$This$experience$demonstrates$to$girls$the$unimaginable$strength$that$comes$from$helping$others.$

Up and RunningAt$each$season's$conclusion,$the$girls$and$their$running$buddies$complete$a$5k$running$event.$In$some$cities$this$is$a$large,$community$wide$event$and$in$others,$it's$an$inspiring$gathering$of$friends$and$family.$Completing$a$5k$gives$the$girls$a$tangible$sense$of$achievement$as$well$as$a$framework$for$setting$and$achieving$life$goals.$The$results$are$the$same—making$the$seemingly$impossible,$possible.$Simple,$engaging$and$extraordinary.$The$result?$Healthy,$con:ident$girls$who$can.$

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$Heart$&$Sole$for$6th<8th$grade$girls.$The$principal$philosophies$and$psychological$research$for$both$programs$are$the$same,$yet$the$topics$and$discussion$questions$vary$for$developmental$reasons.$The$Heart$&$Sole$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$20$lessons$and$each$lesson$follows$a$general$pattern$incorporating$lesson$goals.$

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$discussion.$

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$the$:irst$lessons$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.$

www.gotrcnj.org

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,$etc.$

Next$comes$the$“workout”$portion$of$our$lesson.$This$involves$more$and$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$girl’s$con:idence$for$participating$in$the$actual$5K$event.$$

After$the$workout,$there$is$cool$down$and$more$processing.$The$session$always$ends$with$a$cheer.$

The$curriculum$is$divided$generally$into$three$parts:$

1. The$:irst$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. The$next$group$of$lessons$concentrates$on$team$building,$being$supportive,$and$learning$to$listen$and$cooperate.$

3. 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,$etc.).$

$$The$lessons$conclude$with$participation$in$the$Girls$on$the$Run$5K.$We$host$3$5Ks$per$year.$One$in$the$Fall$in$Somerville$and$2$in$the$Spring,$one$in$Somerville$and$one$in$Fair$Have.$These$are$inspiring$events$$that$celebrate$participants$in$Girls$on$the$Run!$

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Our StaffExecutive Director: Donna York908-285-9202donna.york@girlsontherun.org

www.gotrcnj.org

Getting Coaches on Board

• GOTR$recommends$having$2<3$coaches$per$20$girls,$1$head$coach$and$1<2$assistant$coaches$

• Reach$out$to$potential$parents,$teachers,$local$runners$and$college$students$in$the$community$to$assist$with$ coaching$

• GOTR$can$assist$in$providing$additional$coaches$if$needed.$

• Coaches$will$be$trained$by$Girls$on$the$Run$of$Central$NJ$at$a$3$hour$training$prior$to$the$start$of$the$season.$ Coaches$are$required$to$be$CPR$certi:ied$and$will$be$reimbursed$for$the$cost$of$a$class.$

• GOTR$provides$the$detailed$10$week$curriculum$and$all$the$materials$needed$to$deliver$the$program.$The$ coaches$and$girls$also$receive$a$program$t<shirt.$

All$coaches$must$register$and$complete$an$application$on$the$GOTR$of$Central$NJ$Coach$Application$page$at$the$ following$link:$https://www.gotrcnj.org/Coach

They$are$required$to$submit$to$a$Background$Check$and$sign$a$Non<Compete$Clause$when$registering.$

Getting Girls on Board• On$line$registration$begins$March$1st$for$the$Spring$program$and$August$1st$for$the$Fall$

• Registration$:lyers$can$be$customized$by$GOTR$of$Central$NJ$and$sent$home$with$girls$via$electronic$backpacks$OR$hard$copies$

• Paper$forms$can$be$used,$if$needed$if$online$registration$is$not$a$viable$option.$

• Registration$is$on$a$:irst$come$:irst$serve$basis$

• Sites$must$have$a$minimum$of$8$girls$and$a$maximum$of$20$per$2$coaches$

• Coaches$and$site$liaisons$will$have$access$to$the$online$registration$information$for$their$site$

www.gotrcnj.org

Getting Your Site on Board

Timing & Length of SeasonThere$are$two$10<week$sessions$of$Girls$on$the$Run$each$year$

Spring$Season$?$begins$in$late$March$or$early$April,$runs$for$10$weeks$meeting$twice$a$week$for$75$minutes,$and$concludes$in$early$June$with$the$Girls$on$the$Run$5K.$Ideally$planning$for$a$spring$site$should$begin$in$January.$

Fall$Season$?$begins$in$mid<September,$runs$for$10$weeks$meeting$twice$a$week$for$75$minutes,$and$concludes$in$late$November$with$the$Girls$on$the$Run$5K.$Ideally$planning$for$a$Fall$site$should$begin$in$late$Spring,$early$summer.$

Site InvolvementGOTR$of$CNJ$will$provide$all$of$the$necessary$materials$to$deliver$the$program$as$well$as$training$and$support$to$make$your$site$successful.$The$site$has$the$following$responsibilities:$

• Provide$a$Site$Liaison$$Ideally$this$is$a$teacher,$counselor,$parent$or$other$involved$person$at$the$school$or$in$the$community$organization$hosting$the$program.$This$person$assists$with$promoting$GOTR$at$their$site,$distributing$registration$information$along$with$program$and$5K$information.$The$site$liaison$communicates$with$GOTR$of$CNJ$and$can$set$up$a$parent$informational$meeting$to$promote$GOTR$prior$to$each$season.$This$person$can$also$be$a$coach$for$the$program.$

• Provide$a$space$to$run,$this$does$not$have$to$be$a$track.$A$:ield,$playground$surface,$rooftop$area,$nearby$park,$or$parking$lot$can$all$work.$$

• Provide$a$"rainy$day"$site.$While$a$gym$is$preferred$this$could$also$be$a$cafeteria,$classroom$or$other$safe$indoor$space$with$enough$room$for$all$girls$to$comfortably$site$and$participate$in$an$activity.$If$an$indoor$space$is$not$available$other$arrangements$can$be$made.$

• Choose$2$days$per$week$for$the$program$to$meet$(75$minutes$each$session).$Ideally$2$non<consecutive$days,$the$schedule$is$based$on$the$coaches$availability.$

• Provide$at$least$2$coaches$to$be$trained$by$GOTR.$

• Participant$Registration$<$sites$are$responsible$for$promoting$GOTR$to$girls$and$parents$and$for$registration$information$distribution.$

www.gotrcnj.org

Program Fees & ScholarshipsOur$program$fee$is$currently$$150$per$participant.$This$fee$covers$the$cost$of$supplies,$curriculum,$liability$ insurance,$program$shirts,$coaches$training$and$staff$support.$The$fee$for$the$GOTR$5K$is$an$additional$$25$per$ participant.$Scholarships$are$available$based$on$need$and$available$funding.$

GOTR$of$Central$NJ$strives$to$enable$all$girls$the$opportunity$to$bene:it$from$the$program$regardless$of$their$ ability$to$pay$the$full$fee.$We$apply$for$grants,$seek$funding$at$the$local$level$and$have$many$different$ sponsorship$opportunities$available$to$assist$programs$at$Title$1$schools.$We$welcome$the$opportunity$to$ partner$with$organizations$to$assist$in$fund$raising$for$targeted$areas.$

Volunteer CoachesVolunteer$coaches$facilitate$the$curriculum$at$each$program$site.$Coaches$do$not$have$to$be$runners;$they$only$ need$to$have$the$desire$to$serve$as$a$role$model$for$the$girls$by$showing$positive$behavior,$being$interactive$and$ listening$attentively.$These$women$or$men$can$be$faculty,$staff,$parents$or$community$$members.$Two$coaches$ must$be$on$site$for$8<15$girls,$and$3$coaches$for$16<20$girls.$GOTR$of$CNJ$can$provide$Head$and$Assistant$Coach$ job$descriptions.$

While$recruiting$volunteer$coaches$can$be$a$challenge$when$starting$a$new$program$site,$we$have$found$that$ program$sites$are$most$successful$when$coaches$are$a$part$of$the$community$they$serve.$Therefore,$we$require$ that$potential$program$sites$assist$in$recruiting$coaches.$Girls$on$the$Run$can$provide$coach$descriptions,$ recruitment$posters,$a$sample$newsletter$article,$and$other$materials$to$support$new$sites$in$recruiting$ coaches.$Girls$on$the$Run$CNJ$also$independently$recruits$coaches,$and$can$assign$one$or$more$$$to$your$site$based$on$the$need$and$coach$availability.$New$coaches$trainings$are$held$multiple$times$before$the$ start$of$each$season.$

Group SizeEach$team$should$have$between$8<20$girls.$Because$much$of$our$curriculum$is$related$to$group$dynamics,$fewer$ than$8$girls$may$make$it$dif:icult$to$provide$the$experience$we$want$to$offer$to$the$girls.$Additional$girls$above$ the$maximum$of$20$will$be$put$on$a$wait$list,$and$a$second$team$will$ideally$be$added$if$space$and$coaches$are$ available$to$support$a$second$team.$

If$it$is$a$smaller$school$or$community,$we$will$run$the$program$with$less$then$8$girls$as$a$pilot$and$target$an$ increase$in$participation$for$the$following$season.$

Parent ResourcesWe$provide$a$Grown$Up$Guide,$via$email,$for$both$the$Girls$on$the$Run$and$Heart$&$Sole$curricula.$$$The$guide$ contains$questions$and$conversation$starters$you$can$use$at$home$to$reinforce$the$learning$goals$of$the$ curriculum.$By$stimulating$conversations$that$build$upon$each$lesson$topic,$we$hope$to$further$weave$the$Girls$ on$the$Run$mission$into$the$daily$lives$of$the$girls$and$the$adults$who$care$for$and$love$them.$

Upon$review$of$your$application,$we$will$reach$out$to$you$about$visiting$your$site$or$school$for$a$location$review$ and$for$a$discussion$of$next$steps$in$hosting$the$program$for$the$upcoming$season.$

We look forward to bringing Girls on the Run or Heart & Sole to your site next season!

www.gotrcnj.org