Girls on the Run is the name of our organization, but we actually have two programs: 
 
Girls on the Run -- for 3rd-5th graders

Girls on Track -- for 6th-8th graders
 
The Girls on the Run curriculum has been in use since the fall of 1996. Since that time thousands of girls have been through the program-but what we soon discovered is, they were having so much fun and getting so connected, they wanted something that would carry them through middle school. We originally wanted to call it Girls on the Run for Middle Schoolers. The girls who were participating told us they wanted something they could call their own. Hence the birth of Girls on Track.

The principal philosophies and psychological research for both programs are the same yet the depth of processing the topics varies with the two different curricula. We can go into more targeted and age-appropriate discussion regarding certain topics (eating disorders, tobacco and alcohol use, personal/internet safety and harassment to name a few) with the middle school participants, whereas with the younger girls the discussion remains a bit more vague or may not occur at all.

Girls on Track Curriculum - Lesson Overview

PART ONE - SELF-CARE, SELF-AWARENESS, KNOWING SELF

LESSON ONE: GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER

To provide girls with the opportunity to learn more about each other.

To introduce the concepts of the 12-week program.

To introduce the various components of each lesson.

LESSON TWO: UNDERSTANDING THE GIRL BOX

To introduce the concept of the “Girl Box”

To begin exploring various ways girls can positively cope with the “Girl Box”

To further establish an open and honest rapport between the girls and between the girls and their coaches.

LESSON THREE: LEARNING TO DEAL: MINIMIZING DAILY STRESS

To identify various stressors (including school and related academic worries) that cause anxiety

To learn how effective time management skills can alleviate the stress associated with these concerns

LESSON FOUR: IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE

To identify people and individuals in our lives who are extremely important to us.

To learn why it is important to incorporate friends and family into our daily lives, and

To learn how effective time management skills can help us do this.

LESSON FIVE: NUTRITION AND HEALTHY EATING

To teach the girls about healthy eating habits

To explain why the different food groups are so important

To teach the girls how to incorporate healthy eating into their busy schedules.

LESSON SIX: EMPOWERED BODIES

To define the terms “emotional eating” and “restricted eating” and discuss how these behaviors might make us feel.

To learn about healthy eating habits

To identify how time management skills can help minimize stress and make healthy eating easier

To discuss the importance of positive thoughts, an empowered body image and why all girls should develop a strong sense of self.

LESSON SEVEN: EMOTIONAL HEALTH: ALL FILLED UP!

To identify and recognize what we are feeling

To learn how to cope with all of our different emotions

To explore the importance of listening to our inner voice

LESSON EIGHT: CENTERING: THE IMPORTANCE OF SLOWING DOWN

To identify how running can be a form of relaxation and time for self-reflection

To learn new stretching and deep breathing techniques that can be relaxing.

To develop a strong sense of self.

LESSON NINE: GRATITUDE: CELEBRATING OUR BODIES OUR MINDS AND OUR SPIRITS

To introduce the concept that seeking gratitude for our circumstances is a choice.

To provide girls with an understanding that seeking gratitude provides us with a positive perspective on our current set of circumstances.

PART TWO - CONNECTEDNESS: SELECTING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND KEEPING THEM HEALTHY!

LESSON TEN: CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND STANDING UP FOR MYSELF

To learn effective communication and conflict resolutions skills.

To introduce the importance of standing up for oneself.

LESSON ELEVEN: COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP

To learn what collaborative leadership means

To understand why being a collaborative leader is important in today’s society

To begin applying collaborative leadership skills to different situations

LESSON TWELVE: PEER PRESSURE/ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUGS

To learn how to use a decision-making process as a way to handle situations involving alcohol, tobacco, or drug use.

To understand the reason(s) people give into peer pressure.

LESSON THIRTEEN: GOSSIPING AND BULLYING: POWER VS. POWER

To learn how to use effective communication and conflict resolution skills as a way to deal with gossiping and bullying

LESSON FOURTEEN: CRUISING AND USING THE INTERNET

To address the safety concerns associated with the internet and online social networks, particularly cyber bulling and online harassment

To learn how to stay safe and make responsible decisions when place in a difficult online situation

LESSON FIFTEEN: ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS/DATING

To identify qualities to look for in someone we want to become romantically involved with,

To identify difficult situations that many young girls face when in a relationship, and

To learn why it is important to use effective communication and self-confidence skills in a romantic relationship.

LESSON SIXTEEN: RUNNING A 5K!

To run a 5k

To consider areas of improvement in their cardiovascular AND emotional stamina so they can do their best at their season-ending 5k experience.

PART THREE - EMPOWERMENT: CELEBRATING AND SHARING OUR STRENGTHS

LESSON SEVENTEEN: TURNING ON A NEW MESSAGE (COMBATING THE TEMPTATION TO GO INTO THE GIRL BOX)

To increase awareness regarding where girl stereotypes come from

To explore various ways, both personally and on a societal scale, we can create a culture where these stereotypes are no longer promulgated or accepted.

LESSON EIGHTEEN: CELEBRATING PLAYFULNESS

Honoring the joy of play, spontaneous celebration and unstructured PLAY time

LESSON NINETEEN: CELEBRATING AND HONORING OUR LIVING PLANET

To increase awareness regarding the importance of taking care of our planet and around “going green”

To celebrate the connection between all that lives.

LESSON TWENTY: PASSING THE BATON: HOW WE SERVE AS EMPOWERED ROLE MODELS TO OTHER GIRLS

To determine what traits we admire in those women who have gone before us

To explore ways we can model out of the Girl Box behavior to those younger than us

To emphasize the importance of passing on what we have learned through our challenges to those who walk behind us

LESSON TWENTY-ONE: COMMUNITY IMPACT PROJECT

To finalize what the group community impact project will be

LESSON TWENTY-TWO: COMMUNITY IMPACT PROJECT

To work diligently on the community impact project and have FUN!!

LESSON TWENTY-THREE: GIRL-BONDS: A LIFETIME OF FRIENDSHIP

To say our farewells to one another and honor one another

To celebrate what we have learned over the last 12 weeks

LESSON TWENTY-FOUR: FINAL CELEBRATION!