Trek Code

Full Concrete Curriculum Guide

1. Scout the Route: Never take your crew on a route you have not walked yourself. Check out the full route on foot to audit any hazards like dogs, uneven terrain, broken streetlights, etc.
2. 7-Minute Rule: Early is on time. We always get to the trek location seven minutes early to meet our crew. We start the walk on time and get everyone across the finish line on time.
3. Lead with Love. We love Black women and we do not judge or reject any member at any time. We are a kind and loving movement and we honor the absent - no gossip.
4. We welcome everyone and make all people feel safe. We don't discriminate or engage in politics (GirlTrek is a non-partisan 501c3). This is a movement to save Black women's lives and all people and allies are welcome to support in ways that don't take shine, space, and airtime from Black women. All are welcome.
5. Be fly. Toni Morrison said, "You want to be fly? You got to give up the sh*t holding you down." Black women are fly. We are superheroes. Jumping boundaries and barriers. We wear "Superhero Blue" to honor the power in our ranks and we create
6. "Superhero Names" as affirmation. Use a descriptive word that starts with the first leader of our first names. I am Mighty Mo. Vanessa is Vicious V. We have Action Angie, Cosmic Carla, Hollaback Hailey, and a million more. What's yours?
7. Rain or Shine: We walk through the weather. We show up for our community. We never cancel a walk unless it's unsafe to walk. Trust and reliability matter more than rain and cold.
8. 15-Minute Mile: We hustle - never mosey. We work throughout the season to achieve and maintain a 15-minute mile-fat-burning zone for most of us.. That's the GirlTrek Pace: 2 miles in 30 minutes or 4 miles per hour!
9. Talk Test: If there is too much talking and laughing on the walk, they are not getting a cardio workout - walk a bit faster. If people are pensive, cogent, and measuring their words, that's the right zone. If people can't talk or are wheezing or gasping for words, slow down. You can use mobile apps to check your heart rate. For reference, the fat-burning heart rate of a 35-year-old woman is 130 to 148 bpm.
10. Single File and Smile. We share the sidewalk with our neighbors by collapsing into a single file line to pass them. As we go by, we spread joy with a friendly "hello!"
11. Loop and Scoop. We leave no sister behind. We always double back to make sure everyone finishes. We always wait and cheer for the last woman on the walk. Each trek ends with a receiving line that we call a Victory Bridge.
12. GirlTrek is free. Please don't solicit business from our members, charge fees for walks or sell bootleg gear. The sale of our official gear underwrites the costs of our