Girls on the Run, a nationally renowned after school program for girls in 3rd – 8th grades, is

accepting registrations for Spring Season. The programs begin the week of Feb. 4 or Feb. 11, depending on the site. Girls may be registered by visiting

www.gotr@coastalgeorgialowcountry.org or by calling 912-349-1528. 

The cost of the 10-week program is $175 or $90 for children on reduced lunch and $30 for children on free lunch. 

The fee includes:

·         Nationally-trained Coaches

·         All program materials and supplie

·         Program t-shirt

·         5K t-shirt

·         Water bottle

·         5K medal (and medals for siblings who

·         Free running shoes for girls who need them

Scholarships are available, and no girl has ever been turned away due to inability to pay.  Approximately 70 percent of program participants in the Coastal Georgia and Lowcountry Council are on financial aid. The scholarships are underwritten by individuals, businesses, organizations and grants. Shoes for girls who can’t afford them are provided by National Girls on the Run Partner, Adidas.

Girls on the Run is also currently accepting new sites to host teams for the Spring Season. Each site must have a volunteer site liaison, a safe space for physical activity and be able to provide both outdoor and indoor meeting locations. Both schools and non-school sites are encouraged to find out how to host Girls on the Run.

Widely respected, GOTR is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program with measurable, evidence-based impact. The program teaches critical life skills through dynamic discussions and fun games that creatively integrate running.  

Girls on the Run, Coastal Georgia and Lowcountry is an Independent Council of Girls on the Run International, a non-profit serving all 50 states and Canada. The mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident. Girls on the Run seeks to create a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.

The Coastal Georgia and Lowcountry Council serves Chatham, Bryan, Bulloch, Effingham, Liberty, Beaufort and Jasper Counties. 

Girls on the Run hosts the largest 5K series in the United States with more than 330 events.  The Girls on the Run 10-week program drives transformative, sustained change in the lives of girls.  Through Girls on the Run, girls learn to:

·         Manage their emotions

·         Resolve conflict

·         Help others

·         Make intentional decisions

Girls on the Run was recently included as a top research-based program in a Social-Emotional Learning Guide developed by researchers at Harvard University and has been recognized by the National Afterschool Association (NAA) as one of the most influential after-school programs.

Girls on the Run, for 3rd – 5th graders, and Heart & Soul, for 6th – 8th graders, meet after school, twice a week, for 10 weeks, for a total of 30 hours of programming.    The programs address bullying, gossiping, peer pressure, body image and negative media messages, among other challenges faced by young girls.

Physical activity is woven into the program to inspire an appreciation of fitness and to build habits that lead to a lifetime of health. At the end of the 3-month session, the girls participate in a Girls on the Run 5K event.  This celebration is non-competitive and gives the girls a tangible understanding of the confidence that comes through accomplishment. The girls get a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals.

According to Maria Center, Executive Director of Girls on the Run, “Many school systems are putting an emphasis on social-emotional learning and Girls on the Run aligns with that strategy.  Schools in our service region offer this program because it addresses the needs of girls in 3rd – 8th grades. We are seeing explosive growth and high interest in both our elementary and middle school programs.”

The Girls on the Run life skills curriculum is delivered by caring and qualified coaches who are highly trained to implement the lessons. Such life skills will prevent risky and unhealthy behaviors such as physical inactivity and negative body image and promotes good physical, mental, social and spiritual health.

Girls in Liberty County can also sign up for one-week Girls on the Run Summer Camps. The

Camps will be held in conjunction with Liberty County YMCA.

For information on Girls on the Run Spring Season, Summer Camps, or for more information on becoming a Coach, contact Tiffany Collins at tiffany.collins@girlsontherun.org or 912-486-5649.