Girls on the Run of Atlanta Wants You!

How can I start a Girls on the Run of Atlanta site in my school or community center?

Click here for Site Application and Start-up Procedure

Identify a location to host the program. Our programs run for 12 weeks, meet 1x per week for 1 ½ hours. Most of our programs are run at schools, YMCA's or similar venues. The program location is responsible for providing:

• A contact person at the site to coordinate with GOTR Atlanta. This person can be a site employee or a parent.
• The site coordinator will be responsible for distributing registration forms to all girls in the 3rd -5th grade and collecting program fees.

  Contact: GOTR Program Director 770-569-1475 programs@gotratlanta.org Frequently Asked Questions

• A safe place for running. Note: This does not have to be a track, a field is acceptable. However, it is necessary to measure off part of that area on occasions when lessons require running at certain distances, (e.g. 1 mile, 3k)
• A rain site (gym, covered outdoor area, hallway, etc.)
• Provide at least two coaches to be trained by GOTR. Aditional coaches may be available from GOTR Atlanta's pool of volunteers.

Attend Coach's Training. All of our coaches take part in a GOTR training session before the program begins. The training seminar is based upon a well-developed and researched curriculum used successfully by local and national GOTR® programs.

We require a minimum of two coaches at each site and a ratio of 1 coach to every 8 girls.

Each coach must:

• Attend a 6 hour Coaches' Training. A background check will be required of all Coaches along with CPR/first aid certification
• Attend a pre/mid/post season Coaches' Meetings.
• Meet organizational and reporting deadlines throughout the season.
• Prepare for and supervise all lessons in a manner consistent with the GOTR International philosophy and curriculum
• Run with the girls in the end of season 5k race/walk

Have a GREAT program! The program culminates with the running of a 5K (3.1 mile) running event. GOTR®-Atlanta encourages as much site participation in this event as possible. All are welcome to come out and walk, run, and cheer your girls on!

Frequently Asked Questions about Starting a Site:

1. Knowing that I have to provide a Site Coordinator and a Coach(s), do both of these roles have be filled by a teacher or administrator?

No, but should a teacher and/or administrator want to take on either of these roles we are more than happy to have them. These roles could be filled by the same person. It could be a parent who strongly believes in GOTR. Whoever takes on the Site Coordinator role must be comfortable with parents calling and/or emailing them and asking questions about the program logistics.

2. Why is the group size capped at 15? What if we have fewer or more?

We prefer a minimum of 8 girls and limit each group to a maximum of 15 girls (12 for coaches' first season). We require a ratio of 1 coach for every 8 girls per site. The group size is based upon curriculum considerations. Because much of the lesson plan is related to team building and group dynamics, fewer than 8 girls may make it difficult to provide the experience we seek to offer to the girls.

3. When does the program start and end?

We currently have two sessions of GOTR® in each year; one in the Spring and one in the Fall. Fall programs usually start during the month of September and will end in either November or early December. Spring programs usually start in early February and will end in April or early May.

4. What is included in the price of the program?

Cost of the program: $140 ($7.78 per hour of instruction) Total instruction hours: 18 Included in the fee price are:

• a well developed curriculum
• lessons conducted by a GOTR certified coach;
• a GOTR t-shirt;
• a water bottle;
• end of season certificates and awards;
• GOTR Coach training costs;
• Fees for liability insurance;
• Fees to our national program (required by the national office);
• All administrative assistance to coaches, sites, girls and parents.

5. What if a girl is unable to pay the program fee?

Our current fee per session is $140 per girl. However, we offer a sliding scale, based upon income, which provides for fee reductions. GOTR-Atlanta is aware that we serve a wide range of girls. In the event that a girl is unable to afford the cost for the program, we will do everything we can to offer scholarships to those in need. Our ability to do so is limited by our capacity to raise funds. Please have the family complete the GOTR Scholarship Application.

6. Can we choose a different 5K Run for our end of season race?

One of the values that Girls on the Run promotes is a sense of community. A big part of participating in GOTR is the sense of community that comes from attending a race with all the sister sites - imagine the impact on a young girl when she realizes that there are GOTR everywhere! In addition, on race day, adult women volunteers serve as race guides for the girls. These volunteers act as cheerleaders for the girls, guiding them throughout the race and cheering the girls on. We are unable to provide this important part of the race experience if a site doesn't attend the selected race.

7. I want to start a program, what are my next steps?

If you would like to begin the process of starting a new site with GOTR®-Atlanta, please contact us via e-mail at programs@gotratlanta.org or via phone at 678-992-2670.