By Kaylee Su and John Finefrock | Rise Above Violence
Girls on the Run (for third- and fourth-grade girls) and Heart and Sole (for fifth- through seventh-grade girls) begin next week.
These are curriculum-based, after-school programs that utilize the power of running to provide girls the tools to honor their voices, recognize their gifts, take care of their bodies and activate their power.
Over the course of eight weeks, participants meet twice a week with their trained coaches to play fun running games and discuss topics such as making healthy decisions, body image and the media, cooperation and team building, and contributing to the community. The program culminates in the girls participating in a 5K (3.1-mile) run on Nov. 5 in Durango.
“I find joy in teaching girls how to be confident and know who they are through the Girls on the Run curriculum and look forward to our upcoming program!” said Kaylee Su, who is coaching the middle school group and also serves as the Archuleta County coordinator for Girls on the Run through her work as a youth advocate at Rise Above Violence.
Girls on the Run for third- and fourth-grade girls and will meet at Pagosa Springs Elementary School on Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m., coached by Josie Snow and Sarah Shively. The first meeting will be on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
Heart and Sole for fifth- through seventh-grade girls will meet at Pagosa Springs Middle School on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:15 p.m. and will be coached Su and Kirsten Le Roux. The first meeting will be on Monday, Sept. 19.
The registration fee is $75 and scholarships are available. Participants can register at tinyurl.com/gotrpagosa. Email Kaylee@riseaboveviolence.org for more information.
