Girls on the Run® Greater Toronto Area offers a ten week program consisting of 20, one hour and fifteen minute lessons. The Girls on the Run® curricula/program teaches life skills through running games and workouts. The curricula are based on extensive educational research and “on-the-track” testing of lessons.



This program is administered by certified Coaches. To ensure a high standard of safety, all Coaches are CPR/First Aid certified and undergo a police screening.

The four-part curriculum covers:

Part 1: Who am I? What are my values? What are my goals?

Part 2: Team Building: What does it mean to be supportive and supported?

Part 3: Finding My Place and My Voice in the Community

Part 4: The girls choose and conduct a community service project

At the end of the formal program, girls complete a 5km walk/run event where they celebrate their success with their team members and families/caregivers.

Each lesson focuses on a specific issue related topic and follows a five-part format that provides consistency and structure for the girls’ experience:

1. Introduction/Getting on Board: As the girls arrive and settle into a circle, the coach “checks in” with them, to see how each is feeling, gets a feel for the group’s dynamic for the day and introduces the topic of the lesson.

2. The Warm Up: The warm-up is a brief activity or game that energizes the girls and warms up their muscles. The warm-up activity is usually a short interactive running game that incorporates the lesson topic of the day.

3. Processing: With their muscles warmed up, the coach leads the girls through a brief stretching session. During that time, the girls and the coach “process” the topic.

4. The Workout: The workout follows the warm up/stretch. This involves more actual running. The amount of running varies based on each girl's ability, pace and her stage of progress. The program starts with shorter periods of running and builds up as the coach assesses each girl’s ability and pace.

The running also involves the “topic of the day.” For example, in the session on positive attitude, each girl may be asked to make a positive statement about herself to the coach, each time she completes a lap. Eventually, the workout will build up to a “practice” 5k on site, to give the girls the confidence helpful in participating in an actual 5km walk/run event.

5. The Wrap Up: Following the workout is a cool-down and stretching period where the girls do a group processing and discussion. Each session ends with positive reinforcement from the coach and a group cheer.

The 18 lessons conclude with the opportunity to participate in the end-of-program 5km walk/run celebration. It is a time for parents and caregivers to share in the girl’s success and completion of the program by cheering them on at the finish line. It is also a "family and friends" event for those who wish to register and participate in the 5 k.