Girls On The Run Registration Begins Tonight

A program designed to empower young girls is moving forward again for the fall season.

Girls on the Run, a transformational learning program for 8 to 13-year-old girls, will begin its online registration at 7 p.m. tonight. Visit their website to register.

The program uses the power of running to inspire 3rd and 8th grade girls to be "joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running." Through their time with the program, girls will learn to "celebrate their bodies, hone their voices, recognize their gifts and activate their person power."

Girls will participate in conversation-based lessons and running games twice a week for two weeks in the 10 week program, which will then culminate in a fun 5K run. Wilkins School participants will meet in two groups, one meeting Mondays and Fridays beginning in early September, and the other Tuesdays and Thursdays. The program runs from 3 p.m. until 4:15 p.m.

According to their website, the curriculum is divided into three parts:

• The first eight lessons are centered on the girls getting to know themselves. Examining their 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. Lesson topics and learning goals include 'fueling our healthy pace', 'centering: the importance of slowing down' and 'celebrating gratitude.'
• The next eight lessons concentrate on team building, being supportive, learning to listen and cooperate, etc. Lesson topics and learning goals include 'standing up to peer pressure', 'gossiping hurts everyone' and 'it's okay to choose my friends.'
• The last eight lessons relate to the world at large. This includes making a contribution to your community and learning to recognize and deal with the negative messages we often receive from the world (media awareness, negative peer pressure, etc.) Lesson topics and learning goals include: 'learning about community', 'tuning into a new message (media literacy)' and the development and implementation of a group community project.

Girls on the Run of New Hampshire is an independent council of Girls on the Run International, founded in 1996, by Molly Barker, a visionary, Ironman triathlete. Today, there are more than 192 councils across the U.S. & Canada, with new locations added each year.