LULING — Girls on the Run, a physical activity-based program, is seeking volunteers.

According to coordinators, the program inspires girls in the third through eighth grade to be joyful, healthy and confident. The 10-week program teaches critical life skills, encourages personal development and fosters team building and community service.

Volunteer coaches use a curriculum to engage teams of girls in fun, interactive lessons.  Girls on the Run Bayou Region serves girls in several parishes, including schools in St. Charles Parishes. It is in need of coaches to ensure that girls at each site will have an opportunity to participate.

Susan Crochet, a volunteer coach turned board member, said her favorite part about coaching was the curriculum.

“It guided the coaches week after week throughout the ten weeks to give the girls the lessons they needed, not only to run a 5k, but lessons in life that will carry them forever,” Crochet said.

Volunteer coaches teach lessons to small teams of girls who typically meet after school twice a week for 75-90 minutes. The program ends with all teams participating in a celebratory 5K event.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to serve as an assistant coach or 21 years old to serve as a head coach. Volunteer coaches do not need to be runners. However, all coaches must complete a background check and participate in online and in-person training.

Girls on the Run Bayou Region’s fall coach registration is now open.  For more information or to sign up to coach, visit gotrbayouregion.org/Coach or gotrbayouregion.org.