how much does it cost?

what does the program fee include?

•   20 lessons conducted by two certified GOTR® Coaches
•   a healthy snack at each practice
•   lesson handouts, materials and coaching supplies
•   fun giveaway items from national sponsors
•   an official Girls on the Run T-shirt
•   GOTR 5k race registration
•   end of season certificate and award
•   GOTR coach training and certification fees
•   fees to GOTR International
•   fees for liability insurance
•   all administrative assistance to coaches, sites, girls and parents

how do I register?

Registration for our Spring 2013 programs is now CLOSED.

what if my daughter attends a different school?

We have a host school priority registration policy - which means that girls from other schools must wait two weeks after the opening of general registration to sign up.  December 15, 2012 is the first day that girls from other schools can register if there is still space at the desired program location.

what if a girl is unable to pay the full registration fee?

We discount the program for ALL girls as our base fee of $200 is below our actual cost to deliver the program.  We have scholarships available to girls in need and it is our goal to never turn a girl away based on financial need.  This year we are also able to offer the program at a significantly reduced rate for all girls at select high need schools through our scholarship fund. We are commited to raising funds so that every girl who wants to participate can have the chance to do so.  If you would like to sponsor a girl, please contact us or make a donation online.

A limited number of scholarships are available each year.  You will be able to enter a scholarship request code on the online registration form and during the online registration process will be directed to print out a form with application details on how to fill out the additional required paperwork to be considered for a scholarship.  You will be asked to provide financial documentation along with the application within 5 days of registering online in order for us to hold your spot.  We will review your application and notify you within 10 days of recieving everything to let you know if a scholarship has been granted.  Financial information is confidential and will only be reviewed by our scholarship committee.  Click here for a scholarship application form in English, here for an application form in Spanish.

what if I do not have a credit card and need to pay by check?

We do have a check payment option if you are unable to pay by credit card.  Please download the pay by check form during the online registration process, or click here to download it now.  After entering all of your information online you will be promted to enter a code, which will be on the check payment form.  We will hold your spot for 5 days only.  A check for the full amount and the check payment form must be received within that time or your spot will be given to another girl.  If you want to guarantee your spot a credit card is best, but we realize that not all people have that option.  We will notify you once your check is received and send out a final confirmation of registration. 

is there a sibling discount?

Yes. This year we are offering a sibling discount of $20 for the second and third child within the same family. The first child is full fee. Discount will automatically be applied at checkout.

is there a waitlist?

Yes.  Once a program site is filled, we will waitlist the additional girls in the order that their information is received.  You will be able to enter your information online and we will notify you if a space becomes available. 

how does GOTR handle refunds for the program?

GOTR of Silicon Valley will refund you the full amount of the program fee minus a $20 processing fee until February 14th (two weeks before the start of our spring programs).  Within two weeks of the program starting, we offer a 50% refund.  Once the program has started, no refunds will be granted.  Refunds will not be done through our online registration service.  They can only be done through Girls on the Run of Silicon Valley and can take up to two weeks to process.  Please contact us if your daughter is unable to participate in the program and you would like to request a refund.

can my daughter repeat the program?

Yes!! Each of our curricula was designed to be used over and over again, with girls new to the program and with girls repeating the program. We also know that what a child experiences and learns in Girls on the Run as a third grader is quite different from what she learns as a fourth or fifth grader. With repetition the depths of learning and the ability of a girl to apply what she learns at each lesson is greater. Within GOTR, we alternate between two curriculum each year, so our girls experience similar topics with different games and activities from one year to the next. And with that experience from one year to the next, returning girls often naturally step into mentoring and leadership roles with the younger girls.

why are teams limited to 15 girls?

We find that our teams are most effective with 8 to 15 girls. Much of the GOTR curriculum is designed to build team dynamics among the girls. Teams must have at least 8 girls in order for the activities in each lesson to be effective and yet we also need to ensure the size of the group is manageable for our coaches. Because we also want each girl to contribute to our conversations during each lesson, we are committed to keeping the groups to a reasonable size. If sites have more than 15 girls who want to join the program, they may be considered for multiple teams if space and resources allow.  Generally, new groups are not added at the last minute due to teh time needed to prepare for a group, train and screen coaches, etc.

can my daughter join and only come one day a week?

Girls on the Run participants are expected to commit to coming to both lessons every week. Due to the importance of group dynamics and the experiential learning process of the Girls on the Run curriculum, girls who are absent for 4 or more lessons may be asked to leave the program.  Not only is it important to be at the lessons for group dymanics, it is also important because the girls are training for a 5k event and they will not be ready to participate at the 5k if they miss the training sessions.  Please do not sign your daughter up if she has conflicting activities that would prevent her from being at Girls on the Run or Girls on Track twice a week.

what about a program for boys?

While we know boys need support – just as girls do - the issues boys face are very different than the challenges girls experience. Boys on the Run was piloted in Charlotte, North Carolina and time will tell if a final version of the program will be available nation-wide. 

how do I start the program in my child’s school?

Girls on the Run of Silicon Valley oversees programs in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties.  If you are interested in starting a new program within one of these two counties, please check our website section under "Our Programs", starting a new site.  It takes months to set up a new site and requires the host school district's administrative review, approval and documentation.  Coaches must be secured and trained, materials must be assembled.  Please understand that we have a small staff and limited resources and can only add a limited number of new sites each year due to staffing and budgetary considerations.  GOTR is committed to quality over quantity as well as the sustainability of all of our programs.  We accept applications for new sites throughout the year, and evaluate and confirm our sites for the following spring in the early fall of each year.

is girls on the run of silicon valley a non-profit?

Yes.  Girls on the Run of Silicon Valley is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2002.  We are fully self-funded and pay an annual licensing fee to Girls on the Run International, our parent organization. 

inclement weather policy

We are a “rain or shine” program and practice will never be cancelled due to inclement weather.  Because it is often inconvenient to stay indoors due to space, coaches will use their best discretion when going outside.  We have access to indoor facilities and under-covered play areas at the program sites.  However, if there is light rain or if it is cold and sunny teams will be outside; please have girls bring appropriate clothing.  If you have questions regarding the status of practice on any given day contact your coach directly.