Girls on the Run of South Central Wisconsin

Girls on the Run of South Central Wisconsin was originally established in Dane County and offered its first season to 13 girls at Shorewood Hills Elementary School in spring 2005. Since that time, programming has been expanded to Columbia, Dodge, Jefferson, Rock, Green, Iowa and Sauk Counties. We offer the 10-week Girls on the Run program every fall and spring. We have mentored over 14,000 girls on 850 teams at over 100 sites throughout the territory. Over that time we have provided nearly $450,000 in scholarships to participants with financial need - no girl has ever been turned away for an inability to pay for the program.  With nearly 30% of girls requiring a scholarship to participate, we seek support to ensure their access to our program.

Girls on the Run is a transformational program with proven results. With confidence levels for girls dropping at age 9 and physical activity levels peaking at age 10, now more than ever, our world needs girls that are equipped to manage the challenges that come with adolescence. According to results from our recent longitudinal study, over 97% of participants learned critical life skills related to managing emotions, resolving conflict, and helping others. And over 85% of participants experienced improved levels of confidence and connection with others.

This spring, GOTR of South Central Wisconsin will serve 1,200 girls and after 10 weeks of training with their inspiring volunteer coaches, they will be ready to run our celebratory 5K event – a run that gives the girls a tangible sense of achievement and a framework for setting and achieving life goals. Our girls experience joy, health, and confidence through running.

Meeting twice a week in small teams, we teach 3-5th grade girls life skills through engaging lessons and fun movement activities. The curriculum is taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches and helps each girl celebrate her unique strengths and realize her power to change the world. During the program, each team creates and executes a local community impact project to demonstrate the unimaginable strength that comes from helping others. Finally, at each season’s conclusion, the girls and their running buddies complete a celebratory 5k running event that gives the girls a tangible sense of achievement and a framework for setting and achieving life goals.

A donation of $5 provides race medal and water bottle for 1 girl

A donation of $10 provides an appreciation gift for 1 coach

A donation of $20 provides training materials and support for 1 new coach

A donation of $30 supports appropriate running attire for 1 girl with financial need

A donation of $50 provides the curriculum for 1 team

A donation of $100 supports the materials needed for 1 coaching box

A donation of $160 will fund a scholarship for 1 future GOTR participant