Girls on the Run Southern Utah needs volunteer coaches
By Melissa Miller
Girls on the Run Southern Utah is in need of 50 coaches to ensure that all 130 girls it serves at 14 sites in Washington and Iron Counties will have an opportunity to participate in this transformative program this season.
Girls on the Run is a physical-activity-based, positive youth development program that inspires girls in third through eighth grade to be joyful, healthy, and confident. The 10-week program teaches critical life skills, encourages personal development, and fosters team building and community service. The organization invites parents, teachers, and community members who have a passion for helping build strong, healthy young women to register to become coaches.
Coaches are not required to be runners but must be at least 18 years old, attend one day of training, and pass a background check, and head coaches must become certified in CPR and first aid. Girls on the Run covers all training costs. Coaches facilitate lessons to small teams of 8–15 girls who typically meet after school twice a week for 90 minutes. The program culminates with all teams participating in a celebratory 5K event.
“Do not be fooled by the name,” said Krystal Helmick, returning head coach for Girls on the Run. “Girls on the Run is not a running program. The physical component is suited to every girl, regardless of her athletic ability. The keys to this program are the character building lessons: The girls learn how to set boundaries, build healthy relationships, and embrace their individuality. We learn and train together as a team in a supportive, non-competitive environment. Coaching has been very rewarding to me, and I look forward to a new season.”
Fall programs offered include the Girls on the Run program for third- through fifth-grade girls and the Heart & Sole program for sixth- through eighth-grade girls. The programs are held at various sites throughout Washington and Iron Counties and begin the week of Sept. 10.
A coaches’ information night is scheduled for Aug. 7 at Dixie 4 Wheel Drive, located at 73 N 900 E in St. George from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
For more information or sign-up to coach, visit gotrsouthernutah.org/coach.
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