Girls on the Run Vermont’s registration for its spring program is now open.
GOTR is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that inspires students in third through eighth grade to be joyful, healthy and confident. The 10-week program incorporates movement to empower participants to develop critical life skills, build confidence, cultivate positive connections with peers, manage their emotions, and stand up for themselves and others. Volunteer coaches utilize a research-based curriculum to engage teams of girls in fun, interactive lessons that foster the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of participants.
The spring season begins the week of March 17 statewide. Teams meet twice a week for 90 minutes and the program culminates with all teams participating in one of two noncompetitive, celebratory 5K events in Essex at the Champlain Valley Expo (May 31) and in Manchester, Vermont, at the Manchester Recreation Fields (June 7). These events bring together family, friends and community members to celebrate the participants’ growth throughout the season.
The program fee for the spring 2025 season is $130 and financial aid is available to those who need it. The program fee includes registration and activities for the end of season 5K event, a program T-shirt, personal journal to use throughout the season, cinch sack, water bottle and more. Information about the program and registration can be found on the Girls on the Run Vermont’s website at gotrvt.org.
With trained coaches ready to empower these participants, Girls on the Run (grades 3-5) and Heart & Sole (grades 6-8) is currently set to take place at the following sites by county:
Windham: Academy School, Central Elementary School, Dover Elementary School, Dummerston Elementary, Grafton Elementary School, The Grammar School, Green Street School, Guilford Central School, NewBrook Elementary School, Putney Central School, Saxtons River Elementary School, St. Michael School, Twin Valley Elementary School, Vernon Elementary School, Wardsboro Elementary School. Windsor: Bethel Elementary, Chester Andover Elementary School, Ottauquechee School, South Royalton Elementary School, Woodstock Elementary School.
Locations, by county, that are still in need of coaches are:
Windham: Flood Brook Union, St. Michael School, Townshend Elementary School, Westminster Center School. Windsor: Marion Cross School, Woodstock Elementary School.
GOTRVT is proud to once again offer the annual Rick Hashagen Limitless Potential Scholarship Award to two former participants of the program who are either graduating from high school, or are already continuing their post-high school education, to help offset costs of their higher education endeavors. Interested individuals should complete the scholarship application, which details the parameters for qualification. This year’s awards are valued at $2,500 each as one-time awards for both recipients.
“We are proud to offer this special scholarship again this season that is designed to financially support two former GOTRVT participants who are role models in their communities and exemplify their limitless potential as they pursue post-secondary education dreams,” said Rachel Desautels, executive director of Girls on the Run Vermont.
M&T Bank is a longtime sponsor of the program and, more recently, the GOTRVT Alumni Scholarship Award.
“M&T Charitable Foundation is pleased to support Girls on the Run once again with a $25,000 grant for their programming,” said Kathy Schirling, vice president, senior regional program officer. “We are proud to support their work in empowering young girls to discover their strength, build confidence and inspire a lifetime of leadership — one step at a time.”
Continuing with more exciting news, Girls on the Run Vermont will introduce the second version of the newly updated GOTR curriculum in the three-year Confidence Suite series for coaches to guide and facilitate lessons for their teams. This season’s curriculum, titled, “Hello, Mountain Mover!” is themed around building the confidence to do hard things, and helping others to do the same. The 10-week season will again feature 20 self-esteem building lessons for girls in third through fifth grade. All lessons are curated to build life skills around timely and age-appropriate topics such as managing emotions, positive self-talk, navigating friendships and more.
Girls on the Run Vermont’s statewide sponsor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, has generously helped make programming possible by supporting the organization for over 20 years.
“Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont is proud to champion Girls on the Run VT again this season through our Foundation, providing funds to support the program statewide. The social, emotional, and physical wellbeing of young girls continues to be a priority to BCBSVT and we appreciate GOTRVT’s mission to foster self-confidence in Vermont’s youth,” said Megan Peek, director, community relations and health promotion.
Over 500 volunteer coaches will facilitate lessons to approximately 1,700 to 2,000 girls this spring.
Girls on the Run Vermont is an independent and 501 (c)(3) recognized council of Girls on the Run International (GOTRI), which has a network of over 200 councils across the United States. Since 1999, Girls on the Run Vermont has empowered over 39,000 Vermont girls grades 3-8 to develop physical, emotional and social well-being through an after-school program delivered in communities throughout the state. Its mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a research-based curriculum that addresses developmentally appropriate life skills and creatively integrates running, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Find out more at gotrvt.org.
