Girls on The Run prepares for fall season, in person

Girls on the Run Long Island is preparing for the launch of its 2020 fall season and recently outlined its safety measures for in-person events and plans for switching to a virtual platform, should the need arise. Registration opens Sept. 12 for girls in grades 3-5 at www.gotrlongisland.org/program-registration.

The youth development and physical activity group, which has its office based out of East Meadow’s Eisenhower Park, created a shortened schedule of 16 lessons for the fall season as opposed to the typical 20. Team sizes will also be decreased to six to 12 girls per team, activities will be socially distant and teams could switch to a virtual option if GOTR will no longer be able to meet in person. The running group has prepared a virtual platform that mirrors in-person lessons and allows participants to transition between the two, if needed.

“Our staff and coaches are ready to bring critical social-emotional programming to Long Island girls at a time when they need it the most,” said Council Director Doreen Dunne. “We have adapted based on the recommendations of local health officials and decisions of local governments and school districts. These modifications make it possible for girls to stay active despite the pandemic.”

If schools and sites are in session, GOTR afterschool programming can be delivered as in the past, with enhanced safety measures including the physical distancing modifications. The group will also be holding GOTR practices outside its office at Lannin Cottage in Eisenhower Park for community teams that cannot hold practices on school property.

“Holding outdoor only, in-person practices throughout the entire fall season is the goal,” said Dunne, “but we are prepared should that not be possible.”

Girls on the Run also recently launched its Home Activity Kit, which includes 50 activities that emphasize the important connection between physical and emotional health. From the silly starters to the fun movement games and challenges, girls will laugh, create, and grow through each activity.

“We realize not everyone may be comfortable with an in-person GOTR program this season,” said Program Coordinator Kristina Brandt. “ . . . so the GOTR at-home kits are a great way to bring these lessons to them. Girls will still get 16 lessons in a fun activity packet that mirror our in-person lessons, but with the ability to complete the activities at home, off-line, and more independently at their pace.”

—Brian Stieglitz