Over the last month 15 3rd-6th graders were part of the “Nebraska Girls on the Run Camp.”
The camp provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for girls of all abilities to develop self-confidence and learn life skills they can use now and as they grow. Girls enjoyed building friendships in a fun and inclusive setting that included interactive lessons, being physically active, and expressing creativity through arts and crafts and storytelling.
Led by caring and qualified Girls on the Run coaches, this engaging program offers 16 to 20 hours of social and emotional learning in a positive environment. These girls met every Tuesday and Thursday after school to learn various skills and condition themselves to run a 5K.
They did team building activities and would run anywhere from one mile to almost three miles every time they met. While running the girls noticed all the trash in the ditches by the cemetery north of town. It was their idea to pick up trash and they did that after they completed their 5K.
The girls were honored to have our local law enforcement looking out for them during their last practice run as Officer Andrew Funston escorted the group around town.
Last Sunday these girls completed the program by running in the 5K in O’Neill.
Each girl had a buddy that ran or walked the race with them.
“We are proud to say all the girls and their buddies finished the race and had a wonderful experience with this program. A special thanks to Angie Rafert & Paige Goetzinger for helping me coach these girls. This program was so much more than running and anyone who thinks they cannot run just needs some encouragement and teammates to make that possible,” said Elementary Principal Jen Hodson.
