Take a trip through local farms on bike or foot, while young girls take a lesson in confidence through Girls on the GLOW program
As the summer season comes to a close, the Mullica Hill Women’s Tri-Club looks to its upcoming events and programs to stay active during the autumn months. Alongside the regular programming of exercises, runs and workouts, adults and children, members and non-members, have the opportunity to participate in The Farm ride and run, as well as the fall season of Girls on the GLOW, a six-week program empowering young girls with confidence, endurance and strength.
Each Saturday, beginning, Sept. 23, first- through sixth-grade girls will have the opportunity to meet from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School in Mantua, where they will build physical endurance and resilience, while simultaneously building self-esteem and character. Throughout the year, there will be special GLOW runs, which will be held at Clearview Regional High School.
According to the website, www.mullicahilltriclub.com, by setting goals and participating in activities centered around an extensive curriculum, including topics such as goal setting, positive attitude, community and nutrition, the young girls will “discover their inner GLOW that comes with achieving a goal.”
According to founder Dina Strachan, GLOW stands for grow, learn, offer and work, encompassing the mission and objective of the program for students to flourish not only physically, but mentally and emotionally, as well as give back to the community and understand a strong work ethic in all aspects of life.
“GLOW is creating lifelong athletes that are conscientious about health, physical and mental, as well as happy and confident young women,” Strachan said.
Throughout the program, participants will meet with their age group’s coach to set goals, which will then be put to the test with a physical activity that reinforces the lesson taught that day. Those who are interested in training for a 5K race, offered for third through fifth graders, will be grouped in the Aspiring Athletes class, which will meet for 30 minutes to practice endurance activities.
Alongside the conventional Girls on the GLOW programming, GLOW with Mom offers the opportunity for young girls and their mothers time to bond with events such as yoga, paint nights or cupcake decorating, to name a few.
Throughout the season, girls will also have the opportunity to earn an “I Ran a Marathon” certificate by tracking 15 minutes of physical activity, which translates to one-mile in their hypothetical marathon. At the end of the season, participants can attend the “GLOW Run” end of season finale, featuring face painting, glow necklaces and a chance to show off what they’ve accomplished on the track with their friends and families cheering them on.
“I feel that what we teach these girls are life lessons I would want my daughter, and everyone’s daughters, to have — to live their lives with confidence,” Strachan said.
Strachan said although the program greets between 20 and 30 students each spring and fall season, the sign-up rates have declined throughout the years. Therefore, she has decided to have an open $30 enrollment for those interested in participating in the Girls on the GLOW program. To learn more, or to register, contact dina@mhwtc.org, or visit the Facebook page “Girls on the GLOW.”
Members and non-members of the Mullica Hill Women’s Tri Club are also invited to participate in the Oct. 22 The Farm ride and run, according to co-founder Colleen Fossett. For $15 per member, and $25 per non-member, “Ride the Farm” on your choice of either a 12-mile or 24.5-mile bike ride, while making stops to three local farms along the way to the final destination of Cecil Creek Farms, an organic farm in East Greenwich. Riders will leave in groups of 30 during various time slots between 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
If bike riding isn’t your style, “Run the Farm” on a scenic 5K trail run through Cecil Creek Farm for $15, beginning at 10:30 a.m., or enjoy a one-mile family fun run for $10 at 11:15 a.m. Registration for runners will begin at 9 a.m.
A bike/run combo is available for $25 for MHWTC members, $30 for non-members.
By the end of the ride or run courses, participants and non-participants will have the opportunity to enjoy the remainder of the day at Cecil Creek Farms, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring light refreshments, a beer garden, food, live music, hayrides, pumpkin painting, farm animals and more.
“This all-day event provides a nice opportunity to get people on the road, as well as visiting our local farms in Mullica Hill and the surrounding communities,” co-founder Lydia DelRosso said.
According to DelRosso, the event hosted more than 250 participants and expects to see a similar turnout this year.
For more information, or to register, visit www.mullicahilltriclub.com.
