From New Friends to a 5K Finish Line | Girls on the Go at the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA

Join host Kierstyn Long on this episode of Along the Rock as she welcomes Ellie Hanlon, Marketing and Development Director, and Brenda Gould, CATCH Coordinator with the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA.Learn about the YMCA’s Girls on the Go summer program, which helps middle school girls build confidence, make new friends, stay active, and train for a 5K while connecting with women leaders throughout the community.The conversation also explores the CATCH program, healthy habits for children, youth fitness, and the many summer opportunities available through the YMCA, including soccer and NFL Flag Football.Topics include:• Girls on the Go summer running program• Building confidence and friendships• Training for the NAMI 5K• The CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Children’s Health) program• Nutrition and physical activity education• YMCA scholarship opportunities• Youth soccer and NFL Flag Football programs👉 Don’t forget to like, share, comment and subscribe for more local stories from the Sauk Valley and beyond.🎧 Listen to the full podcast and explore more at https://theradar.online🎤 Highlights:00:00 Introduction00:23 Meet Ellie Hanlon and Brenda Gould from the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA00:38 What is the Girls on the Go program?00:59 Training for the NAMI 5K and building confidence01:25 Leadership development, empowerment, and community connections01:43 Making new friends before entering middle school01:54 Can participants still join this summer's program?02:47 What does CATCH stand for?03:03 Brenda's role in local schools and children's health education03:29 Teaching nutrition, healthy choices, and active lifestyles04:06 Program costs, scholarships, and accessibility04:24 Parent and participant feedback from Girls on the Go04:32 Water balloon day and building friendships05:02 Breaking the stigma around running and focusing on fun05:44 Other summer programs at the YMCA05:48 NFL Flag Football update and upcoming soccer season06:00 New NFL Flag Football age divisions announced06:13 Final thoughts and YMCA summer activitiesFollow us on all social media platforms below:https://www.facebook.com/radarfreepresshttps://www.youtube.com/@radarfreepresshttps://open.spotify.com/show/0dOeaVg1JI0ump4iD0rIHkhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/along-the-rock/id1773156790https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-along-the-rock-245007958/https://rumble.com/radarfreepresshttps://www.tiktok.com/@radarfreepresshttps://x.com/radarfreepresshttps://www.instagram.com/radarfreepress/https://www.threads.net/@radarfreepress#GirlsOnTheGo #YMCA #SterlingRockFallsYMCA #AlongTheRock #RadarFreePress #YouthDevelopment #GirlsEmpowerment #RunningProgram #NAMI5K #HealthyKids #YouthFitness #MiddleSchoolGirls #CommunityPrograms #SterlingIL #RockFallsIL #YouthLeadership #ActiveLifestyle #YouthSports #CatchProgram