Girls on the Run

Find out more information about our program for 3rd-5th grade programming.

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Girls on the Logo
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Three girls in blue shirts looking at each other while smiling

Girls on the Run (3rd-5th graders)

Thank you for your interest in Girls on the Run programming. Registration is CLOSED for the Spring 2023 season. 

Lottery registration for the Fall 2023 season will open on August 1st.

If you would like to be added to our mailing list and receive periodic updates, email info@girlsontherunscwi.org 

Important Dates

Important Dates - Fall 2023
Mother and daugther holding hands while running the 5K
  • Registration Opens (lottery period): August 1
  • Registration temporarily closes (for lottery selection): August 10
  • Registration Re-Opens (first come, first served): August 11
  • Season starts: Week of September 11, 2023
  • Season Ends: Week of November 6, 2023
  • 5K Celebration: Saturday, November 4th
  • Our standard schedule is to practice 2x/week for 90 minutues; days/times will vary by team
Mother and daugther holding hands while running the 5K

Fin-Aid - GOTR

Program Description

Meeting in small teams twice per week, trained volunteer coaches inspire 3rd-5th graders to build confidence and other important life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and physical activity. Lessons focus on building social, emotional and physical skills while encouraging healthy habits. 

Our research-based curriculum includes three parts:

  • Understanding ourselves
  • Valuing relationships and teamwork
  • Recognizing how we can shape the world at large

Each season comes to an end with a fun, non-competitive 5K (3.1 mile) event. This culmination gives participants a tangible sense of accomplishment and the confidence to be the author of her own story.

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  • Spring 2023 Season Underway!

    We're excited to finish the Spring 2023 season with our 5K event on Saturday, June 3, 2023!

  • Fall 2023 SEASON

    Below is a timeline with important dates for our Fall 2023 season. 

  • August 1 - August 10

    The lottery registration period is open for the Fall 2023 season. During this period, anyone who signs up will be entered into the lottery. For best chance to get a spot on your desired team, register anytime during this window. Read our Lottery FAQ document. 

  • August 10

    Registration temporarily closes so the lottery selection may take place. Lottery FAQ.

    If a team is over capacity on August 10th, kids will be randomly selected and placed on the team. Remaining girls will be placed on the team's waitlist.

    If a team is under capacity on August 10th, all kids will be placed on the team.

    Your credit card will be charged only if your child has a place on the team and there is a fee associated with your registration.

  • AUGUST 11

    Registration will re-open for teams with remaining space. Girls will be placed on a first come, first served basis until the team reaches capacity.

  • SEPTEMBER 11

    The Fall 2023 season begins this week! 

  • NOVEMBER 4

    GOTR 5K (3.1 mile) event! Come celebrate our collective accomplishments!

  • November 6

    The last practice will take place this week on Mon (Nov 6) or Tues (Nov 7).

Reg fee - SHARED

Registration Fee

Building confidence and setting up a path for a healthy lifestyle is PRICELESS! However, there are real costs associated with operating a non-profit organization and delivering the Girls on the Run program to approximately 2,000 girls in the South Central WI area each year. The cost for a fun and powerful experience is $165 per participant and includes:

  • Lessons delivered 2x/week for 90 minutes, led by certified volunteer coaches
  • Our research based curriculum and detailed lesson plans
  • All facilitation supplies needed for fun and engaging lessons
  • Program T-shirt, water bottle, markers/pen, and lap counters
  • Entry/registration for the celebratory 5K event (3.1 miles). Including: 5K bib/pins, finisher medal, finisher snack, professional event photos with free digital downloads
  • Unique program completion gifts (varies each season)
  • And so much more!
Fee Structure - Sliding Scale

We'd love to have your child involved, and we are committed to making programming accessible to all participants. While the full registration fee is $165 per participant, we offer a sliding scale fee structure making financial assistance available to anyone.

The online registration form will provide guidance to find the fee that is right for your family. We list household income as a benchmark for approx. a family size of 4, but this is a guide, not a rule. Simply self-select the price point that best fits your needs, and the computer will adjust the fee accordingly. We do not verify income information.

Household Income Guidelines Sliding Scale Fee 
Over $80,000 $165
$50,000 - $80,000 $100
$30,000 - $50,000 $60
under $30,000 $20

 

Additional financial assistance is available. Call 608-831-4687 or email info@girlsontherunscwi.org for more information.

* Select sites are fully subsidized and no registration fee will be applied. No discount code is needed *

Program Policies

 

Attendance Policy:
It is critically important to the experiential learning process, group dynamics and positive program experience that all participants attend all sessions. Participants are not allowed to attend only one session per week. Any child who is absent for more than four (4) practices during one season may no longer be eligible to participate in Girls on the Run. COVID UPDATE: program participants will not be penalized for missing GOTR practice sessions if they are confirmed positive for COVID.

Respectful Behavior Policy:
Every participant is expected to behave in a respectful manner towards their coaches and teammates. Threatening behavior and bullying will not be tolerated. Girls on the Run reserves the right to remove from participation any child who exhibits this type of behavior. Parents/guardians and coaches agree to act in accordance with this policy as well. 

Withdrawal and Refund Policy:
Girls on the Run of SCWI will issue a refund for withdrawal from the program up to the start of the first session. Processing fees will be retained. No refunds will be issued after the program starts. No refunds will be issued for girls who have been asked to leave due to a violation of a policy. If a team is canceled due to insufficient registration, inadequate coach support, or other extenuating circumstances, the registration fee will be refunded, excluding the processing fee.

Late Guardian Policy:
Participants are expected to be picked up on time. Ongoing tardiness will not be tolerated. On the first occurrence parent/guardian will be verbally reminded of the tardiness policy. The second time, a verbal reminder and written email acknowledgement of the policy will be issued. Upon the third instance, the child may no longer be able to participate in programming.

Pick-Up and Release Policy:
Guardians are responsible for arranging/providing transportation for their child(ren) to and from practice. Program participants will be released only to those people listed as Parent/Guardians, Emergency Contacts, or Authorized Individuals.
Coaches and other volunteers are not allowed to transport any child, outside of their immediate family, when acting in the role of volunteer for Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run WILL NOT release a child to private companies (e.g. Uber Lyft, Taxi Cabs, etc.) unless the driver’s name is listed as an Authorized Individual for that child.

Children may be designated a "walker" if the child's walking distance is 1.5 miles or less. Children whose walking destination is more than 1.5 miles away must be released to a Guardian or Authorized Individual. You can add a new person to the Authorized Individual list by contacting Council Staff. 

5K Registration for Running Buddies:
Each GOTR participant is encouraged (but not required) to have a Running Buddy accompany them at the culminating 5K (3.1 mile) event on Saturday, June 3rd. A Running Buddy is an important support person for their GOTR girl at the event and can be a parent, relative, family friend, coach, who is at least 16 years old. While GOTR participants are automatically registered for the 5K as part of their program experience, Running Buddies will need to register in a separate transaction. 5K registration for Running Buddies opens online a few months before June 3rd. More information will be shared throughout the season. 

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My child isn't a big runner; is this program for them? OR My child is already a skilled runner. Is this program for them?

Yes! We are much more than a running program, and every participant can benefit from the experience of building confidence through accomplishment while participating in our rich, curriculum-based, age-appropriate, interactive lessons. Expect lots of games, talking, laughing and processing in addition to running at each practice. And know that when we say run, we mean run, walk, skip, roll or push, just as long as you are moving foward!

What does the program fee include?

Lessons delivered 2x/week for 90 minutes, led by trained and certified GOTR coaches
GOTR research-based curriculum and detailed lesson plans
All facilitation supplies needed for engaging and fun lessons
GOTR T-shirt, water bottle, markers/pen, lap counters
Entry/registration for the 5K event (3.1 miles). Including: 5K bib/pins, finisher medal, finisher snack, professional event photos with free digital downloads
Unique program completion gifts (varies each season)
And so much more!

We can't afford the program registration fee, but our child would love to participate. How does the financial assistance program work?

Don't let cost stop you from participating! We are committed to making Girls on the Run accessible to all who want to particpate! Thanks to generous donors and community supporters, financial assistance is available to any family who needs it, and we can also provide appropriate running shoes and attire if necessary. The online registration form will walk you through a few questions to find the fee that is right for your family based on a sliding scale fee structure.

Do kids need to attend both days each week in order to register?

Yes! Since most of our teams fill up quickly, if your child will be unable to attend all the sessions, please save room for someone who can, and consider joining us in a future season when they can enjoy the entire program.

What if our team fills up and more girls are interested in registering?

Long answer, see our Lottery FAQ document. Short answer, if your team is at capacity, a wait list will form. Girls on the Run program office manages the waitlist. Waitlisted kids will only be added to a team if a spot becomes available. At that time, GOTR will notify the parent/guardian and offer a spot. 


It is possible for a site to host multiple teams as long as there is adequate space to safely gather, and enough dedicated coaches to support each team.

What about kids who identify as non-binary, gender fluid/expansive?

Girls on the Run is an inclusive program where the dignity of every participant is respected, and all youth are safe. *Girls on the Run warmly welcomes the participation of any child who identifies as “girl”, non-binary, gender-fluid, or gender expansive in our programs. We strive to eliminate barriers to participation, to create programming that offers an inclusive experience for all. 

Is there a way for me to sponsor a participant for a season?

Yes! As a mission-driven 501(c)3, Girls on the Run relies on generous donors to provide financial assistance for families in need. Click here to donate.

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