RAF MILDENHALL, England -- new running program, "Boys and Girls on the Go!," for children age 9 to 12 has been underway at the RAF Mildenhall Youth Center recently.

The program has a variety of goals for its participants including building self-esteem, creating healthy relationships and improving body image.

Active duty service members and civilian volunteers lead the two clubs, one for boys and another for girls, and they coach and encourage children while running. In addition to talking to the children, they help them get fit by teaching long-distance running techniques, as well as discussing various issues to make them feel better about how they see themselves.

The clubs are held separately so children feel comfortable opening up and talking about any questions or concerns they may have.

"I coached this (program) back at Kadena (Air Base, Japan) for the past four seasons," said Michelle Maddalozzo, a 321st Special Tactics Squadron contractor from Chicago. "I believe physical fitness and social-emotional development of young ladies go hand in hand. We're teaching them a healthy activity, as well as promoting positive social-emotional development and healthy relationships."

The six-week program is held weekly for one hour. The girls' running program is held on Tuesdays and the boys' on Wednesdays. The program itself is scheduled to occur twice a year.

Maddalozzo explained another aspect of the program is to increase the participants' cardiovascular fitness and running abilities and have a supportive network of adults working with them on these goals.

"We take the boys out on their runs and discuss the topic of the week post-run, while we're stretching," said Capt. Jethro Sadorra, 352nd Special Operations Group civil engineer from Monterey, California. "This program is important because it introduces children to running and fitness as a lifestyle.

"There are numerous studies showing lifelong benefits to having an active lifestyle at a young age," he said. "It builds confidence and can help elevate other areas of their lives."

For more information, call the youth center at DSN 238-5437 or commercial at 01638 545437.