Clemson students get area girls running with new after-school programs

Published: September 15, 2011

By Evan Lybrand

CLEMSON — Girls ages 8 to 15 in the Clemson area will have a chance to run and learn in two new after-school programs organized by students and faculty in Clemson University's public health science department.

Part of a Creative Inquiry project, the department has partnered with the Greenville Hospital System to put on two programs called Girls on the Run and Girls on Track. The programs will help girls prepare for a 3.1-mile run with activities designed to foster self-esteem.

The goal of the two programs is to bolster positive emotional, spiritual, mental, social and physical development. They are designed to prevent girls from becoming at-risk teens by teaching them about and directing them away from at-risk behavior, such as drinking and drug use.

Girls on the Run is for girls ages 8 to 11 and is held from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Nettles Park. Girls on Track is for girls ages 12 to 15 and is held from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at R.C. Edwards Middle School.

"After-school programs like Girls on the Run play an important role in promoting healthy attitudes and behaviors related to physical activity and nutrition among young girls," said Karen Kemper, associate professor in public health science. "These programs promote healthy lifestyles by making physical activity fun and something they will enjoy doing the rest of their lives. In addition, Girls on the Run promotes healthy attitudes about body weight, communicating with your friends and community service. We are very excited about the opportunity to bring Girls on the Run to the Clemson area."

Clemson students work as the coaches for the 20-lesson programs and help the girls prepare for a 5K race in December. The programs begin on Sept 19. 

It costs $150 to enter the 10-week program. Registration can be done online at http://www.ghs.org/eventregistration or by downloading a registration form at http://www.ghschilderns.org/register.php.

For more information, contact Monica Gibson at 864-455-3252 or mgibson@ghs.org or Kim Hein at 864-455-4001 or khein@ghs.org.

 END

Creative Inquiry
Creative Inquiry is a unique program that gives Clemson University undergraduate students the opportunity to work on research projects that span disciplines and multiple semesters. Students work in teams with faculty mentors, take ownership of their projects and take the risks necessary to solve problems and get answers. Creative Inquiry participants develop critical thinking skills, learn to solve problems and hone their communication and presentation skills. For more information, go to www.clemson.edu/ci.