Program

What is Girls on the Run of Pamlico County?

Girls on the Run® of Pamlico County is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping young girls in grades 3 through 8 learn to make healthy choices now and during the challenging years of adolescence. Our afterschool programs offer a positive, nurturing experience that encourages hopes and dreams and big ideas. We follow a research-based curriculum that combines training for a 5K Fun Run with health education, life skills development, mentoring relationships, and physical training.

Girls on the Run is the name of our organization, but we have two programs:

• Girls on the Run — for 3rd-5th graders
• Girls on Track — for 6th-8th graders

What is Girls on the Run?

Girls on the Run for 3rd-5th graders is an afterschool program designed to build self-confidence. Girls can register for the Fall or Spring Season. The girls meet twice a week for 12 weeks. Each session is filled with fun activities to develop running and life skills.

What is Girls On Track?

Girls on Track is a program similar to Girls on the Run but with more sophisticated and thought-provoking content suited to the challenges girls face in grades 6 through 8. The curriculum includes age-appropriate topics such as eating disorders, internet safety, cyber bullying and tobacco and alcohol use.

How Will My Daughter Benefit?

• Personal Benefits – our programs focus on building self-esteem and self-respect. Each girl has many opportunities to explore who she is and who she wants to be. The lessons on knowing yourself help each girl find and stay true to her REAL self.
• Social Benefits – team building games actively promote and reward cooperation and respect for others. The group experience provides an alternative to the intense “best-friend” social life typical of girls this age. The girls learn and practice strategies for coping with peer-pressure, gossip, and bullying.
• Physical Benefits – the girls actually experience the benefits of being healthy and active because at least 1 hour of the 1½ hour session is devoted to active games, running and walking. Girls come into the program at various fitness levels. Through practice and motivation, they gradually develop the confidence, stamina and determination to participate successfully in the concluding 5K Fun Run/Walk.

What Do Girls Love About the Program?

• Age-appropriate activities and topics that are FUN!
• Positive reinforcement cheers called Energy Awards
• Being active
• Being in an all-girl group

Why Start With Girls in Grades 3 through 5?

Between the ages of 8 and 11 girls are already beginning to feel social and peer pressure, yet they are still receptive to what adults have to say. Studies show that around 5th grade, girls begin to become focused on appearance and popularity. Being a successful girl seems to be more about having the right look, being in the right group, and attracting the attention of boys than about individuality and strength of character. Girls on the Run offers an opportunity to develop individual strengths while exploring personal and relationship issues. Our games and activities help girls learn how to express and manage emotions, how and when to speak up effectively, and how to say no to peer pressure temptations. See Parents’ Page for the complete list of Lesson Topics.

Is Girls on the Run a Sports Program?

No. We offer a non-competitive youth-development program that combines life skills and character development with physical activities that include running, walking, and active games that teach and reinforce the lesson topics. The goal is not fitness or physical skills. The goal is to increase confidence, self-esteem and ability to cooperate with other girls in the group.

How Can We Start a Program at Our Site?

A successful program requires the enthusiastic support of key staff and parents at your school or Afterschool Program.  For more information, see Starting a New Site
Call the director, Elizabeth MacDonald, 252-249-3520 and tell her of your interest in offering Girls on the Run at your Pamlico County site. To start a program in another county, contact GOTRpamlico@gmail.com