After an amazing summer, it’s hard to believe it’s time to head back to school! This time of year can be filled with excitement, but more often than not it can also be a stressful time for many kids for a multitude of reasons. Whether it is the change in schedule, academic challenges, or being the “new kid,” GOTR is here to help!

Join us this season for our brand new GOTR curriculum, “Hello, Mountain Mover!” The new curriculum focuses on giving girls the confidence to do hard things. Here are five reasons GOTR can help transform back-to-school stress into confidence!

1. Provides a space for belonging
• The need to belong is a strong human emotion. That’s why at Girls on the Run, we create a warm and welcoming environment. The activities and discussions in our research-based curriculum offer participants the chance to discover what makes them one-of-a-kind and to respect what makes their teammates unique.
2. Practices are fun
• We might be biased, but simply put, GOTR practices are fun! In fact, 98% of participants said they had fun at their Girls on the Run practice and said they would tell their friends to join Girls on the Run. By adding GOTR to your girl’s schedule, you can give her something fun & memorable to look forward to attending each week!
3. An opportunity to make new friends
• In addition to meeting new friends in the same grade, GOTR teams can be comprised of girls ranging from 3^rd-5^th grade, giving participants the opportunity to meet individuals they may not normally get the chance to meet and make friends outside of just their own classroom.
4. Time for meaningful conversations
• The GOTR curriculum is designed to foster meaningful conversations in and out of practice time. In a recent survey, 92% of participants said that because of participating in Girls on the Run, they feel they can speak up and share their opinions.
• Coaches send weekly communication to caregivers that updates them on the themes and topics of each week, which leads to meaningful conversations outside of practice time. 99% of caregivers who were familiar with the lessons felt that the content/topics their child learned about at Girls on the Run were important for them.
5. Prioritize physical activity & self-care
• Physical activity is known to release endorphins, and endorphins make you happy! When girls are participating in a physical activity that helps them feel good, both mentally and physically, it’s a win-win!
• Through a fun and motivating combination of physical activity, self-reflection, and discussion, girls grow in confidence, and empathy toward others.

Unleash your “I Can!” power and join us this Fall – Registration is open now! For a complete list of sites/teams, visit gotrmidstatepa.org/locations.