Girls On the Run is one of the YMCA’s signature programs here in Metro Detroit. More than 50 teams in the fall, and more than 100 in the spring, spend weeks training for a 5K race, while also learning about healthy living, positive self-esteem, goal setting and other self-development activities.
Jackie Kippen joined the Y this fall as Girls On The Run council director. In her role, she coordinates the program’s sites at schools and at the YMCA branches, works with volunteer coaches and promotes the program. She also organizes Girls On the Run’s culminating event, a 5K race that all the girls who have completed the training will run. The fall 5K will be Nov. 18 at Kensington Metropark.
Jackie says she’s excited to be working with Girls On the Run because it encourages girls to compete with themselves and do the best they can without concerning themselves with beating others. Learning that their own standards are what they should be judging themselves by is crucial t their future growth. Combining a physical challenge with more emotional and social growth activities that help girls get to know themselves and their peers in a new way is also really effective, she says.
Jackie graduated from Central Michigan University. She worked at the Warren YMCA in the day camp program for a few summers during college. For the last three years, she’s run youth development programming for Clemson University in South Carolina. She says she’s excited to be back heading up such a great program.
For more information, visit the Girls on the Run of Greater Detroit web page or find them on Facebook.