Our Program
Program Overview
BIO Girls is a self-esteem-building program serving girls grades 2 - 6.
A BIO Girls site meets for 12 sessions, 90 minutes each — a session combines life-skills lessons, Christian non-denominational devotions, small-group mentoring, and non-competitive physical activity.
Each program location is led by a volunteer Site Director.
Life-Skills Lessons
BIO Girls curriculum is evidence-based and research-proven. We equip participants with the skills necessary to combat societal pressures and recognize their inherent values.
Our curriculum revolves around our four pillars:
Mental Wellness
Healthy Relationships
Leadership
Kindness
Through a hands-on service project, BIO Girls participants also get to experience the power of helping others, gain a bigger perspective on gratitude, and learn that giving back has no age requirement.
Mentoring
Research proves adolescents with a non-familial role model have higher self-esteem, better psychological well-being, and greater satisfaction in life.
BIO Girls mentors leave a lasting positive impact on participants. In fact, many participants chose “relationship with mentor” as one of their favorite things about BIO Girls!
Our volunteer mentors engage the participants in small-group activities and one-to-one discussions. They also provide support and encouragement during the physical activity portion of the session.
“BIO Girls has taught not only me, but the rest of these young minds what true beauty means, how to cope and deal with feelings of anxiousness, build friendships, and most importantly how to believe in ourselves.” - BIO Girls Mentor
Physical Activity
BIO Girls uses non-competitive physical activity to teach participants accountability, goal setting, and how to manage stress and anxiety.
Through these lessons, participants also experience success.
BIO Girls has traditionally used running as our program’s physical activity component. However, in 2019, we began expanding our program to include sites that use yoga and cross-training as their physical activity component.
BIO Girls is an inclusive program, welcoming girls of all demographics. In 2023, BIO Girls provided nearly $330,000 in financial assistance to participants.
Learn more!
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What do participants say about BIO Girls?
Program Types
All BIO Girls programs use the same life-skills curriculum and small-group mentoring. The physical activity element is what differs between program type. Our traditional model of programming uses running for the non-competitive physical activity. However, we have expanded to offer more than one physical activity option!
Our program types are:
Running
Cross-Training
Yoga
Other Piloted Program Types:
Dance | Self-Defense | Art
How does my community get a BIO Girls program?
The BIO Girls program is 100% volunteer-facilitated! We currently have programs in five states: North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. To bring a program to a community in those states, there needs to be an individual who volunteers to lead as a Site Director.
What starts with one interested individual, spirals into a community-wide impact.
See how BIO Girls came to fruition in Perham, Minnesota and the impact it’s inspired:
Proven Benefits
BIO Girls uses evidence-based techniques such as mentoring, physical activity peer-to-peer connection, and more to improve self-esteem.
Our outcome-based program is proven through independent research to improve: Health-Related Quality of Life, Physical Well-Being, Emotional Well-Being, Self-Esteem, Body-Esteem, Family Life & School Life. BIO Girls works. See for yourself!
7 in 10
BIO Girls participants experience a significant increase in self-esteem.
50%
of BIO Girls participants experience a decrease in anxiety symptoms.
“This program is a must for young girls living in today’s world. When my girls come home and talk about their lesson I often find myself thinking ‘I wish I knew that when I was their age.’ Each week they are so eager to learn something new. I love it when they share their experiences from the week and we continue the lesson at home. They love setting personal goals, working with their mentors and peers, and proving to themselves they are capable. The relationships they have made through this program are amazing.” — BIO Girls Participant Parent
Featured Reports
BIO Girls Annual Report
2023 BIO Girls Research & Impact
BIO Girls Proven Benefits
2021 BIO Girls Research