Girls on the Run Announces 57 Program Sites for Spring 2016

Girls on the Run® of Stark County (GOTR Stark) is excited to announce the start of another season. This season 3rd through 8th grade girls from throughout Stark County have opportunities to participate in 57 Girls on the Run and Heart & Sole teams. Registration will open on February 1, 2016 and will continue through February 21, 2016.

This year, Girls on the Run of Stark County is excited to announce the launch of Heart & Sole, an all-new program for 6th through 8th grade girls that replaces Girls on Track. The new curriculum was developed by Girls on the Run International to meet the unique needs of middle school girls. Rich with themes girls can relate to, the curriculum addresses the whole girl—body, brain, heart, spirit and social connection—and builds life skills that will help girls as they move through adolescence and beyond.

Just like Girls on the Run and Girls on Track, Heart & Sole is accessible to all girls regardless of athletic ability or fitness level and considers the range of ages and varied experiences of middle schoolers. The all-new curriculum will be offered to middle schoolers at 16 locations.

“Last spring, we offered Girls on Track at only 7 sites, and we are thrilled to offer 16 Heart & Sole programs throughout Stark County,” says DeeDee Amentas, Girls on the Run of Stark County’s new Program Coordinator. “This year, we have intentionally focused on growing our middle school programs this year because it teaches girls self-awareness, which is an essential skill in developing self-esteem and dealing with negative peer pressure.”

GOTR Stark is poised to offer the program to up to 240 middle schoolers and 560 or more 3rd through 5th grade girls. With the incredible growth this season, several Girls on the Run and Heart & Sole programs will require additional coaches in order to meet the growing need. Coach applications will be accepted through February 21st and coach trainings are available in late January and February.

Programs in Stark County will run from March 7th through May 21, 2016, ending with the celebratory Girls on the Run 5k Run/Walk at Walsh University on May 21, 2016.

In addition to the bi-weekly after-school sessions, the income-based registration fee includes a program t-shirt, water bottle, daily snacks, and entry into the 5k Run/Walk.

The income-based fee schedule, ranging from $10 to $135 for program participants make the programs affordable for any family. Additional scholarships, coach discounts, and sibling discounts will be available this season, as well.

To see the full list of programs and for registration details, please visit: http://www.gotrstarkcty.org/Programs.html.

About Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run is a nonprofit prevention program for girls in 3rd-8th grades that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. The Girls on the Run curricula address all aspects of girls’ development – their physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being with topics such as self-esteem, healthy lifestyle habits, setting goals, teamwork, keeping promises and good communication skills. The program also prepares the girls to participate in a 5k (3.1 mile) run at the end of the 10-week session, 20-lesson program.

Girls on the Run of Stark County is a council of GOTR International. Our mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. GOTR is offered every spring in schools and community centers throughout Stark County.