Bring your roommates. Bring your teammates. Bring your best friend. Change lives together.
Looking for a volunteer experience that's meaningful, fun, and will make a lasting impact?
Girls on the Run Shenandoah Valley is looking for JMU students to coach girls in grades 3–8 during our 10-week season.
You don't have to be a runner.
You don't have to be an athlete.
You don't have to have coaching experience.
You just have to care about helping girls discover how strong, capable, and confident they are.
Why JMU Students Make Great Coaches
Whether you're studying Education, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Kinesiology, Health Sciences, Business, Communications—or something completely different—coaching with Girls on the Run gives you real-world experience that employers and graduate schools value.
As a coach, you'll:
- Develop leadership and communication skills
- Gain mentoring experience
- Build confidence leading a group
- Earn volunteer or service-learning hours (when applicable)
- Make meaningful connections in the Harrisonburg community
- Have an experience you'll talk about in future interviews
Most coaches tell us they expected to make a difference in a girl's life but were surprised by how much they grew personally.
Coach With Your Friends
- Volunteering is more fun together.
- Bring your roommates.
- Bring your teammates.
- Bring your fraternity or sorority.
- Bring your classmates.
- Bring your student organization.
We'll work with you to place your group on the same coaching team whenever possible.
What You'll Actually Do
You'll coach alongside 2–3 other volunteers, leading a team of 8–15 girls through engaging activities, games, discussions, and movement designed to help girls build confidence, strengthen friendships, and develop important life skills.
Our nationally developed curriculum is completely planned for you. You simply review the lesson before practice and bring your energy and encouragement.
We've Got You Covered
Every coach receives:
- National Girls on the Run Coach Training
- A fully developed, evidence-based curriculum
- All lesson plans and supplies
- CPR/First Aid certification (if needed)
- Ongoing support from Girls on the Run staff (who all began as volunteer coaches themselves)
You'll never coach alone.
Time Commitment
- Two 90-minute practices each week for one 10-week season
- Approximately 3½ hours of self-paced online training
- One interactive 3-hour in-person training
- Minimal preparation before each practice
- One unforgettable Girls on the Run 5K celebration
We'll work with your class schedule and match you with a site that fits your availability whenever possible.
This Is More Than Volunteering
You'll become the trusted adult a girl remembers long after the season ends.
The encouragement you give, the confidence you help build, and the example you set can change the trajectory of a young person's life.
And chances are, the experience will change yours too.
Ready to make a difference?
Visit gotrshenandoahvalley.org or contact us to learn more about becoming a Girls on the Run Shenandoah Valley volunteer coach.
Email info@gotrshenandoahvalley.org
