Our world has experienced an unprecedented number of changes in recent years — and with that, the needs of girls have changed, too.
According to data from The Girls’ Index:
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1 in 2 girls feel afraid to be leaders because they don’t want to appear “bossy.”
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66% of girls don’t say what they are thinking because they want to be liked.
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Over half of 5th and 6th grade girls question if they are smart enough to achieve their dream career.
We’ve heard this from our families, coaches, and educators as well — girls deserve to feel confident in themselves, to know their worth, and to feel empowered to move through challenges with a growth mindset.
We’ve felt this shift ourselves at Girls on the Run, and understand how important it is for our programs to offer the skills and support that reflect girls’ needs. That’s why we are so excited to introduce a brand-new, refreshed 3rd-5th grade curriculum this fall: “Hello, Mountain Mover!”
Everything girls love about GOTR is still here — the same innovative blend of team discussions, movement-based games, and skill-building activities — with a fresh set of lessons designed to help girls build the confidence to do hard things and believe in themselves.
Earlier this month, several of our coaches got to experience Hello, Mountain Mover! for the first time during our “demo day.” They dove deep into what makes the new curriculum unique, from deeper discussion questions to more girl-led activities.
“I feel like Mountain Mover is going to meet the needs of girls today [and] help them advocate for themselves more,” shared coach Grace, who has been volunteering with GOTR Greater Richmond since February 2024.
The newly designed lessons teach girls how to think of mistakes as learning opportunities, strategies to stick with challenges, techniques to work with big emotions, and more. Throughout the program, they tap into their “I Can! Power”, which is the confidence to believe in themselves to do hard things.
Coach Kaci, an ESL teacher who has been involved with GOTR since 2018, is excited to see the impact the new curriculum will have on school culture: “It includes a lot of language that we're already using in schools, like ‘the power of yet’ and the importance of self-talk. Being able to connect to what you're doing in the classroom will make the GOTR experience even more powerful!”
The Community Impact Projects get a refresh, too, and help girls tap into their "We Can! Power" to show how small acts can make a big difference in someone’s life.
Coach Hannah, a mom of two young girls and volunteer since 2022, loved how the lessons specifically address girls’ emotional needs: “[Mountain Mover] teaches girls to recognize what’s important to them, what they are struggling with, and not 'fixing' themselves but rather adapting and overcoming challenges in a positive way.”
As the world continues to evolve, girls need supportive spaces that rise to meet those changes. Hello, Mountain Mover! isn’t just a curriculum refresh; it’s a bold invitation for every girl in greater Richmond to see herself as strong, capable, and worthy.
We hope you’ll be a part of this exciting new chapter! There are plenty of ways to move mountains this school year:
Reach out to info@gotrrichmond.org for more information.