Girl power at its enthusiastic best was on the move last Friday evening, as more than 120 runners turned out for a hot Summer Fun 5K at Pointe West to benefit Girls on the Run of the Treasure Coast.
“The focus of the Girls on the Run program is to instill values of confidence, self-esteem, and teamwork in young girls, while setting the foundation for a healthy lifestyle,” said Jessica Schmitt, board chairman of the all-volunteer chapter. The event raised money for program scholarships for girls needing financial assistance.
“This program is incredibly important and timely for our youth. Young girls are constantly being exposed to negative influences, and are flooded with advertisements that portray beauty in false and unnatural ways. The Girls on the Run program reaffirms to young girls that they are beautiful exactly as they are, and they can accomplish anything they set their mind to.”
It’s an idea embraced by a spate of social media movements, such as Sheryl Sandberg’s efforts to “ban bossy” and Proctor & Gamble’s Always brand campaign to reverse the negative connotation of “like a girl.”
Founded 18 years ago in North Carolina, Girls on the Run now boasts more than 200 chapters in the United States and Canada, including the local chapter established in 2011.
“We have had more than 300 girls complete the program which is delivered by volunteer coaches,” explained Schmitt. “The girls meet two times a week for 10 weeks, with each session placing an emphasis on a certain value. At the culminating 5K, each girl is matched with an adult running buddy who cheers her along throughout the race and encourages her to do her best.”
The curriculum is divided into three sections, with activities in the first part focused on confidence, individuality and self-esteem, the next on teamwork and relationships, and the third on designing and executing a community service project.
“In each lesson they do physical activities, and we make it fun so that they appreciate exercise; it’s not like a chore,” said Schmitt. “At the end of the program they complete a 5K, which teaches them to set a goal and work toward achieving it. We teach them that forward motion is important. It doesn’t matter if they walk the race, run or skip it – the important thing is to finish.”
Although not part of the Indian River County School District’s curriculum, teams made up of eight to 15 girls meet at local schools.
Girls on the Run, aimed at third through fifth graders, had ten teams at seven schools this past year and the Girls on Track program, for sixth through eighth graders, had three teams at two schools.
“We train all the coaches and provide the materials and curriculum,” said Schmitt, noting there were roughly 26 volunteer coaches last year. “In the fall we had 140 girls. In the spring around 30. The season prior to that had about 50 girls so we kind of exploded this year. Because we’re all volunteers we’re keeping it the same this year until we have the capacity to grow.”
Schmitt started running in college, where she competed in a half-marathon, and hasn’t looked back since.
“Crossing that finish line was a huge accomplishment,” she said. “The sense of pride and accomplishment I felt when I finished my first half marathon, and now a full marathon, has carried over into my personal and professional life. It has given me confidence and taught me perseverance. I love that Girls on the Run teaches this to girls at young age so they may know their limitless potential.”
Community projects vary, and Schmitt said one of her favorites was a “pull up your pants” campaign at Gifford Middle School.
“In the program they learn about self-respect and they realized that wearing your clothes like that isn’t helping. They’re sort of teaching their peers what they are learning,” said Schmitt. “It’s not just a running program. They’re also gaining all these skills and life lessons that benefit them. I’ve had teachers thank me and tell me that it’s carrying over into the classroom.”
“Girls on Track has been a wonderful success at Gifford Middle School, providing an opportunity for girls to learn about healthy lifestyle choices while participating in fun, interactive projects with each other,” agreed principal Roxanne Decker who, along with the assistant principal and more than a dozen teachers, signed on as 5K running buddies.
Schmitt noted that one of the first lessons is focused on getting girls out of the pre-conceived “girl box,” adding, “If they want to go out and run a race that’s fine. It’s fine for a boy and it’s fine for a girl too.”