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 organizational cost to deliver a fun and powerful experience is well over $200 per participant. 

Thanks to generous support, we offer a sliding scale fee model so all families can participate. Registration fees range from $25 to $175. 

Registration 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, journal, markers/pen, and lap counters
• Auto-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. Thanks to generous donor support, we offer a sliding scale fee model so all families can participate. Registration fees range from $25 to $175. 

If the suggested amount doesn’t work for your family, you’re welcome to choose a different fee that better fits your needs. Based on your selection, the corresponding registration fee will be applied at checkout. We do not verify income information. 

*Free programming is also available. Check with your site's Girls on the Run contact or reach out by phone or email to 608-831-4687 or 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

Consistent attendance is critically important to program efficacy, positive group dynamics and overall experience. Participants are expected to attend all scheduled sessions throughout the season, 2x/week. Participants are not allowed to attend only one session per week. Any participant who is absent for more than two (2) practices during a season may no longer be eligible to participate.

Threatening Behavior and Bullying Policy

Girls on the Run strictly prohibits the use of violence, threats of violence, or Bullying Behavior within the program and takes these actions very seriously. Council staff reserves the right to remove from participation any individual who threatens another individual's safety, health, or well-being.

Any individual who experiences, observes, or has knowledge of Threatening Behavior or Bullying Behavior in the program must report the situation as soon as possible to appropriate parties, including the council, parents/guardians, site administrators, and law enforcement, if applicable.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy

Girls on the Run of SCWI will issue a refund for withdrawal up to the start of the first session. Processing fees will be retained. No refunds will be issued after the season starts. No refunds will be issued for participants who have been dismissed due to a violation of a policy. 

If a GOTR team is canceled for the season due to insufficient registration, inadequate coach support, or other extenuating circumstances, the registration fee will be refunded, excluding the processing fee.

Photo Release

As a required part of registration, parents/guardians sign the Program Waiver which includes consent to participate, release of liability, and photo release. Parents/guardians may submit a special request that photos of their child not be released as part of Girls on the Run. Submit requests to the Executive Director, christine.benedict@girlsontherun.org.

Late Guardian Policy

Parents/Guardians/Authorized Individuals are expected to pick up their child(ren) on time, at the end of the scheduled practice. 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 Girls on the Run. 

Transportation Policy & Release Procedures

Girls on the Run does not provide transportation to or from weekly sessions for individual/groups of participants. Parents/guardians are responsible for arranging/providing transportation for their child(ren) to and from lessons.

Participants may be released only to those people listed as parents/guardians, emergency contacts, or authorized individuals for the child. The identity of anyone picking up a program participant must be verified by photo ID at the start of every season before the child is released.

Program Volunteers (coaches) must not transport any participant outside of their immediate family when acting in the role of a coach for Girls on the Run, unless the volunteer is listed as an Authorized Individual for that child. 

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.

Parents/Guardians can edit their child's Authorized Individual list by sending an email to Council Staff at least 24 hours before the child is to be released from the program, info@girlsontherunscwi.org. The identity of the new Authorized Individual will be verified via Photo ID prior to releasing the child.

5K Registration for Running Buddies

GOTR participants are encouraged (but not required) to have a Running Buddy at the culminating 5K (3.1 mile) event. Running Buddies can be a parent, relative, family friend, or coach who is at least 16 years old. While GOTR participants are automatically registered for the 5K, Running Buddies will need to register in a separate transaction. More information will be shared throughout the season.