Girls on the Run

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.

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!

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.

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 *

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.