GirlVentures

Depending on the course, join GirlVentures for a 1- or 2-week outdoor adventure in Point Reyes, Sierra National Forest, or the John Muir Wilderness! Through a backpacking or kayaking, each trip provides opportunities for you to build community with others in your local community, challenge yourself in a supportive environment, and explore concepts of social justice, identity, and leadership.

Who is GirlVentures?

The only nonprofit of its kind, Oakland-based GirlVentures combines outdoor adventure with social emotional learning for adolescent girls*. Their programs nurture girls’ self-esteem, resilience, and leadership skills, catalyzing their development as empathetic, confident conservationists and allies. They offer a range of courses for different age levels, including courses specific for youth who are queer identified or youth of color. Through their courses girls find strength from one another and within themselves and gain the skills needed to face the challenges of adolescence.

Girls* refers to gender expansive youth (cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, gender queer youth and any girl-identified youth).

program details

Location: Point Reyes, Sierra National Forest, or
John Muir Wilderness
Participant Mix: A mix of Summer Searcher and non-Summer
Search participants
Accommodations: Tents
Bathroom Access: None when backpacking
Phone Access: When traveling only; none while backpacking
COVID Policy: Vaccinations are required of all staff and participants. Booster shots are optional. Proof of vaccination and/or rapid test will be collected at course start.
There are limited spots on this trip!

course details

On the Rise
- Jul 27-Aug 9, 2025 (14 days)
- Backpacking and climbing
Fierce & Fabulous
- Jun 18-Jun 24, 2025 (7 days)
- Kayaking and camping
- For queer youth and their allies
Rising Together
- Jul 5-Jul 11, 2025 (7 days)
- Climbing and backpacking
- For youth of color

program activities

All of GirlVentures' courses are designed for Female, Transgender and Gender Nonconforming youth
Activities vary by course - you may be kayaking, camping, backpacking, or repelling
You will get to explore trust, social justice, identity, and leadership
You'll take turns cooking nutritious meals for your peers while learning the importance of Leave No Trace ethics
You and your peers will take on different leadership roles each day and guide the daily activities for your peers, with instructor support

what you'll get from this experience

Technical, outdoor skills in a range of activities
Understanding and appreciation for the environment and your community
Facilitation, leadership and interpersonal skills that they can use in school and future work settings
Deeper understanding of what you’re capable of and where your boundaries are

this program is a good fit if you...

Need or want a program that is shorter than 2 weeks (Fierce & Fabulous and Rising Together)
Need or want a program that is for gender expansive youth (cis girls, trans youth, non-binary youth, gender non-confirming youth, gender queer youth as well as any girl-identified youth) and their allies
Need or want a program designed specifically for youth of color (Rising Together)
Want to stay a little closer to the Bay Area (GirlVentures is based out of Oakland!)