By Stacie Southall
At Girls on the Run of Northeast Florida, we’re thrilled to launch our fall season. Beginning Aug. 17, we’ll welcome girls in grades 3-8 across 12 counties for another season of empowerment, confidence-building and personal growth.
Girls on the Run combines physical activity with engaging lessons that help girls develop life skills and healthy habits. Over our 10-week program, participants prepare for a celebratory 5K while learning how to set goals, overcome challenges and make a difference in their communities.
“Since 2004, we have been on a mission to help girls in our community activate their limitless potential and boldly pursue their dreams,” said Laura Lasko, our executive director. “Through movement-based activities, group discussions on relevant topics and coach mentorship, participants gain the confidence to stand up for themselves and others. And with girls’ confidence declining at age 9, they need a program that empowers them to embrace who they are, teaches life skills and sparks joy.”
Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program with a research-based curriculum and trained coaches. A recent survey of more than 12,000 of our program participants found that 98% felt included, 95% felt more confident and 93% said they liked doing physical activity because of the program.
Online registration opens Aug. 17, and practices begin the week of Sept. 14. The deadline to register is Sept. 4. The program fee includes 20 sessions led by trained volunteer coaches, curriculum materials, a Girls on the Run T-shirt and water bottle, registration for the Celebration 5K, a finisher medal and a keepsake. Learn more at www.gotrnefl.org.
