Our Program

at girls on the run

If you are interested in hosting a GOTR program site please contact
director@girlsontherunJoCoIA.org

Shop for GOTR apparel and merchandise

use checkout code 238

Welcome to Girls on the Run Johnson County!

Our mission is “to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.” Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a non-profit prevention program that uses the power of running to help girls in 3rd through 6th grade develop self-respect and value a healthy lifestyle. Our curricula address the development of the ‘whole’ girl – her physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being.

Girls on the Run combines training for a 5k (3.1 miles) running event with healthy living education. Our programs instill self-esteem and strong values through health education, life skills development, mentoring relationships, and physical training – all of which are accomplished through an active collaboration with girls and their parents, schools, volunteers, staff and the community.

GOTR Johnson County (GOTRJoCo) is a community collaboration and is funded by fees, donations and grants. GOTRJoCo relies entirely on the generosity and support of local individuals, businesses and organizations. Without the support of the Iowa City area, GOTRJoCo would not exist. Thank you!

GOTRJoCo is an affiliate of Girls on the Run International, which has a network of over 140 Girls on the Run Councils in the United States and Canada.

The GOTR Program

● 10 week, 20 session program

● Fall and spring

● Groups are run by at least two coaches

● Groups are comprised of 8-15 girls, grades 3-6, with a mix of ages in each group

Each session begins with Check-In to see how the girls are feeling and introduce the topic of the lesson. A warm-up game loosens muscles, followed by stretching. During both activities the girls and coaches process and discuss the topic of the lesson in a relaxed, supportive arena. The workout follows with running, building to a 5K run/walk at the end of the program. The topic of the day is also included in both the workout and the cool down.

Curricula

Girls on the Run offers two curricula; one in the fall and one in the spring.

The curricula are divided into three parts:

● In the first part the girls are getting to know themselves and each other. The focus on decision making, taking care of physical and emotional health, values and saying no to drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

● The second part focuses on team building, being supportive, learning to listen and cooperate, standing up for themselves and healthy decision making.

● In the third part girls relate to the world as a whole. This involves the idea of community and addresses negative messages received from the media, negative peer-pressure, etc.

The program culminates with a 5K run/run-walk.