STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Bridget Posson worked with more than 20,000 students and 2,500 high school and college volunteers as a naturalist teacher and program director for the New Horizons environmental education program in Loma Mar, Calif.
Now, she’s focused on 75 young girls in the Wood River Valley and 60 more in Twin Falls as the new executive director for Girls on the Run of Southern Idaho. And she’s looking for coaches to help with the season, which begins March 9 and runs through May 19.
Posson took over for Mary Fauth, who decided to step down this year after years with the program. As such, she’ll be working with girls in third- through fifth-grades, as well as 6th through 8th-grade girls in the new Heart and Sole program.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” said Posson. “As a naturalist, I’m want to get less active youth outside. And I love how Girls on the Run teaches girls to problem solve and to communicate. They’re better able to express themselves and they feel good about themselves.”
Board member Rachel Wolfe said Girls on the Run of Southern Idaho is thrilled to have Posson as its new director.
“Her energy and skill set will be a great addition to the program as we expand into Southern Idaho,” said Wolfe. “Bridget’s previous experience running a nonprofit outdoor program for children in California make her a good fit. She is very qualified and the board felt she was the best candidate to help the program grow, strengthen our existing program locations and work with our volunteers and donors.
“She is very outgoing, self-motivated and approachable. She is an avid outdoor person who believes in keeping kids active and engaged. And our board felt Bridget was in line with the Girls on the Run Mission, which is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum, which creatively integrates running.”
Posson has been coming to Idaho for the past three summers, hiking Sun Valley trails with three of her best friends. When she saw a posting for the Girls on the Run position, she got goosebumps.
“I was ready to do something else, and I really enjoy the Hailey-Ketchum area,” she said. “I train for races so I know running is really good for you. Teaching kids and getting them out running is something I believe in.”
Posson grew up in the East Bay area of San Francisco. After getting a degree in Environmental Studies and Earth Science, she earned a Master’s degree in education at University of California-Santa Cruz.
She was introduced to running by her mother, who will join her in the Girls on the Run Color Me Fearless 5K run at the end of the season. Her own personal resume includes the half-marathon at Monterrey.
“I started to enjoy running in my early 20s. I can’t not run,” she said. “Even if I have a stressful day, being outside has always been helpful. It’s never a bad idea to go for a run. I always feel like I’ve accomplished something. I’ve gotten outside and cleared my mind.”
When Posson is not hitting the pavement with Girls on the Run, you can look for her soaking in a local hot spring, Big Wood River, gardening, cooking and camping. Always with her faithful companion—a cattle dog named Roxy--at her side.
“We went snowshoeing the other day and she frolicked around,” Posson said. “We’re loving it here.”
WANT TO HELP?
Girls on the Run pairs a curriculum designed to build self-esteem, empathy, kindness and other attributes with physical exercise. Every coach follows a set curriculum in the afterschool program.
For more information, visit https://www.gotrsouthernidaho.org/