SOUTHWICK – For the third year, the Girls on the Run of Western Massachusetts will be hosting their program at Powder Mill School this spring.
Girls are seen running the 5k race at the Spring 2018 Girls on the Run event at Powder Mill School. (Photo from Catchlight Photography)
Girls on the Run is a nationwide non-profit organization focusing on providing social and emotional skills to young girls while they’re able to gain exercise through running. Established in 1996 in Charlotte, N.C., Girls on the Run started with 26 girls participating. Now, there are over 200 different councils throughout all 50 states, serving over 185,000 girls and with the assistance of over 100,000 volunteers.
The Western Massachusetts Council is in its fourth year of existence and will be at 80 different sites this year and will serve approximately 1,600 girls. Starting the week of March 11 and lasting into June, the Girls on the Run of Western Massachusetts will offer 20 lessons for girls in third grade to fifth grade. With a maximum of 15 girls allowed per site, the girls will be split up into two teams and there will be coaches to instruct and motivate the girls. Meeting twice a week, the lessons will be more like practices lasting an hour and a half, with the final lesson in June consisting of a 5k race. Alison Berman, the Council Director for Girls on the Run of Western Massachusetts, explained the importance of the mission that Girls on the Run provides, teaching the girls how to stand up to themselves, dealing with gossip in school, and other social issues they may come across.
“It’s a really strong social emotional curriculum that really integrates running,” said Berman. “It’s really about increasing kid’s confidence and setting goals.”
Having this program centered on girls in grades three through five is seen as the perfect time to help the girls for the future.
“This is the age where girls’ confidence tends to decline,” said Berman. “This is the age where girls in particular tend to stop doing sports and staying active.”
Girls participating in last year’s program at Powder Mill School are seen posing for a picture. (Photo from Catchlight Photography)
Berman is also looking forward to having the program at Powder Mill School again.
“It’s been great and we’ve gotten great response from that community,” said Berman.
The Western Massachusetts council is looking for coaches to take part at Powder Mill School. Coaches can be male or female that are at least 21-years-old and do not have to be runners. Those under 21-years-old can also be a coach as long as they’re accompanied by someone who’s 21 or older.
The criteria for being a coach is simple.
“It’s really for people who are committed to creating more confident, healthy kids,” said Berman.
The cost to sign up for the 20 lessons of the program is $150. Berman also noted that Girls on the Run will also have sites this spring at both Highland Elementary School and Southampton Road Elementary School in Westfield. Anyone interested in signing up their daughter for a local site in the Western Massachusetts council can contact Berman at 413-687-2726.
