Spring Break
Getting girls geared up for self-esteem
Students can sign up to run with adolescents to promote health, self-esteem
Gail Cole
Issue date: 6/2/08 Section: News
Girls in the Corvallis area now have the chance to see life differently as they embark on their teenage years.
This summer and beyond, Girls on the Run and Girls on Track programs will come to OSU and Corvallis to promote athleticism, teamwork and self esteem for young women.
Both programs are part of the College of Health and Human Sciences and affiliated with KidSpirit, the summer camp held at OSU.
According to Amy Lugar, one of the coaches within the programs, KidSpirit became an affiliate of both programs last fall.
Currently, 33 girls are participating in Girls on the Run and Girls on Track programs at Lincoln K-8 School in Corvallis. Lugar said there are seven programs running throughout the summer, with the potential of 105 girls participating.
"Our plan from here is to add on schools," Lugar said.
Girls on the Run and Girls on Track were brought to Corvallis in order to fill a niche in the community, said Karen Swanger, coordinator of KidSpirit.
"We looked at youth trends around the country and what's successful in communities," Swanger said. "I came across Girls on the Run a few years ago. It was a perfect fit for the mission of the college and the mission of KidSpirit."
Swanger said OSU has offered summer camps for young people since the 1960s. These various camps were named KidSpirit in 2001.
Lugar said she worked at KidSpirit in the summers as an undergraduate, and was happy to be a part of the Girls on the Run and Girls on Track programs when they were brought to Corvallis.
"The more and more I learned about it the more I fell in love with it," Lugar said.
Girls on the Run International (GOTRI) was established by Ironman triathlon competitor Molly Barker in fall 1996.
There are now over 120 GOTRI councils in the United States and Canada that manage local programs, according to the organization's website.
The website stated "the goals of the programs are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development" for young women.
This summer and beyond, Girls on the Run and Girls on Track programs will come to OSU and Corvallis to promote athleticism, teamwork and self esteem for young women.
Both programs are part of the College of Health and Human Sciences and affiliated with KidSpirit, the summer camp held at OSU.
According to Amy Lugar, one of the coaches within the programs, KidSpirit became an affiliate of both programs last fall.
Currently, 33 girls are participating in Girls on the Run and Girls on Track programs at Lincoln K-8 School in Corvallis. Lugar said there are seven programs running throughout the summer, with the potential of 105 girls participating.
"Our plan from here is to add on schools," Lugar said.
Girls on the Run and Girls on Track were brought to Corvallis in order to fill a niche in the community, said Karen Swanger, coordinator of KidSpirit.
"We looked at youth trends around the country and what's successful in communities," Swanger said. "I came across Girls on the Run a few years ago. It was a perfect fit for the mission of the college and the mission of KidSpirit."
Swanger said OSU has offered summer camps for young people since the 1960s. These various camps were named KidSpirit in 2001.
Lugar said she worked at KidSpirit in the summers as an undergraduate, and was happy to be a part of the Girls on the Run and Girls on Track programs when they were brought to Corvallis.
"The more and more I learned about it the more I fell in love with it," Lugar said.
Girls on the Run International (GOTRI) was established by Ironman triathlon competitor Molly Barker in fall 1996.
There are now over 120 GOTRI councils in the United States and Canada that manage local programs, according to the organization's website.
The website stated "the goals of the programs are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development" for young women.
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