Girls on the Run Columbia

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

As a former coach for GOTR, I can attest first-hand how important this type of program can be at this age. I also saw parents and siblings getting involved who might not otherwise participate in this type of activity. GOTR is an international program that was founded by Molly Barker in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1996. 

GOTR Columbia inspires girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Trained coaches lead small teams through research-based curricula, which includes interactive discussions, activities and running games. During 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.

For more information check out GOTRColumbia.