A couple of weeks ago, the lesson at Bridge Point was about bullying. The girls started the lesson answering the question: What is bullying? The girls learned there are three types of bullying:

Next, the girls divided into two teams and were each given a card with a type of bullying written on it. When the head coach called out an example of bullying that matched the type on card the girl was holding, she ran 25 yards to a cone, and then ran back. This relay race was the warm up, and the girls really cheered each other on, and had fun.

 

After some stretching, the girls then broke into teams of 3-4 and took turns writing down examples of bullying & how they should handle it. They also learned that bullying (both giving & receiving) can escalate and lead to other outcomes: poor grades, being expelled, dropping out of school, and isolation among classmates.

 

Finally, for the workout, the girls ran laps and each time they passed a coach, they would give an example of bullying and what they would do if it happened to them. Examples the girls gave included talking to parents, telling a friend, and avoiding situations that might involve a known bully. Oh, and the girls LOVE to be chased!

 

After more than a mile of running, the girls stretched, and the lesson was over. 

GOTR is an after-school program that uses the power of running to help prepare pre-teen girls for a lifetime of self-respect, positive choices and healthy living. Over 12 weeks, girls are guided by trained volunteer coaches, and learn about the power of positive self-image. At the end of the semester, in celebration of their accomplishments, girls along with their families, coaches and volunteers participate in a local 5K race. On May 3rd, we'll be at the Bun Run.