There is still time to register for the Brandywine YMCA's Girls on the Run (GOTR) and STRIDE programs, which are 12-week physical fitness and educational sessions that culminate in the completion of a 5K run/walk. The programs were scheduled to begin on March 11, and registrations will be accepted until Friday, March 15. It is not necessary to be a YMCA member to participate.
As part of the GOTR and STRIDE programs, youths will meet two times a week for 90 minutes at area schools through Friday, May 31, to prepare for the 5K, scheduled for Saturday, June 1.
GOTR focuses on building self-esteem and promoting emotional and physical health in young girls. STRIDE, which stands for Success + Teamwork + Respect + Inspiration + Determination = Excellence in Character, was developed for boys in response to the successful GOTR program.
"Girls on the Run is a national program and has been around for 23 years, 12 years in Chester County," noted Kathryn Gute, program coordinator. "STRIDE was started at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine and has been around locally since 2010."
GOTR and STRIDE are open to students in grades three to five. There are also middle school programs for students in grades six to eight, with Heart and Sole for girls and STRIDE TOO for boys.
Among the schools participating in the programs this spring are Bradford Heights, Brandywine Wallace, Lionville, Springton Manor, West Bradford, Exton, Octorara, Kings Highway, Rainbow, Pope John Paul II and Pickering Valley elementary schools, as well as Octorara Middle School and the Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center. The Uwchlan Hills Elementary School group will meet at the Lionville Community YMCA.
Students who attend nonparticipating schools may register to participate at another school in their district where there is an opening. Those who are unable to take part in the spring programs are invited to participate in the fall sessions that will begin in September.
"Most of our teams are run at the elementary schools around Chester County. We do have some teams at our Y branches, as well as a unique opportunity this season to be running a team out of the American Helicopter Museum," explained Gute. "The meetings are lessons led by trained volunteer coaches who are following an evidence-based curriculum that incorporates running and other physical activities into the practice of lessons in the areas of building confidence, character development, self-empowerment, decision making, goal setting, leadership, etc."
Gute noted that a portion of each meeting includes physical activity. "During the 90-minute sessions for GOTR and 75 minutes for STRIDE, a portion of that is spent running or walking if the child is not yet comfortable with running," said Gute. "It is an outdoor program; however, most of the schools allow us to use some indoor space if necessary (in the case of) inclement weather."
The culminating event is the Chester County Girls on the Run 5K & YMCA STRIDE 5K Challenge. "Our spring 5K brings in about 2,500 people; most are participants of the programs and their families," said Gute, adding, "The kids can definitely walk if they would like. Many do."
There is a fee to participate in both programs. The fee includes the 20 evidence-based curricular lessons led by trained volunteer coaches over the course of the 12-week season, training and entry for the season-culminating 5K, a program shirt and water bottle and a 5K shirt.
To register, individuals may visit http://www.ymcagbw.org/GOTR or http://www.ymcagbw.org/STRIDE. Participants may also register at any branch of the Brandywine YMCA. The program is also still in need of volunteer coaches. Individuals may visit the respective websites for more details or contact Sue Holinsky, volunteer coordinator, at 610-643-9622, ext. 2138.
For more information, readers may contact Gute at 610-643-9622, ext. 2133, or kgute@ymcagbw.org.
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