$4,110 raised by 29 donors
41% complete
$10,000 Goal
Your donations help us cover the costs of nourishing snacks, gas, van maintenance, payroll, and ensure more girls and non-binary youth have access to a healthy sports environment that challenges them in the best possible ways.
Watch the video below to hear directly from our staff, participants, and their caregivers about the impact Girls Lead for Life has had on them.
Girls Lead for Life (GLFL) began as a pilot program in 2017 at Earth Treks (now Movement Gym) in Golden.
There was an overwhelming desire at Women’s Wilderness to expand our programming and reach girls+ beyond summer programming. A lot of indicators in the community showed we could potentially start a program that specifically focused on under-resourced and underrepresented youth in the Denver metro area. There are a lot of co-ed climbing programs on the Front Range, but few that cater to girls and non-binary youth who face barriers to entry for the sport.
Over the years, we’ve expanded our programming to Aurora, Englewood, Boulder, Lakewood (and more!) to offer access to girls+ in the Denver metro area who may not otherwise get to climb.
This fall we're excited to be running Girls Lead for Life programs in partnership with PlayPASS, Boulder Housing Community, and Englewood Middle School.
Thank you for donating– we couldn’t do it without your help and support!
“I discovered how well I can climb and how I feel much better in my body while I’m climbing.” -Girls Lead for Life Participant
"I think I really found courage in myself that I never knew I had. I have learned to speak my mind, and not hold back because I might sound stupid. This experience has brought out the best in me." -Girls' Wilderness Adventures Participant
"I learned more how to cope with my emotions, that I really like climbing and I am capable of doing hard things." -Girls Lead for Life Participant
"I remain changed from my Women's Wilderness trip. It was incredibly challenging for me physically, mentally, and emotionally. I had to pull strength from deep within me, strength I wasn't sure I possessed. I went from constantly repeating I can't, to saying 'Yes, I can.' Even two years later, when I am faced with challenges in life, I think: 'I did that backpacking trip, so I can do this, too.'" -Girls' Wilderness Adventures Participant
"I learned to not judge your body and that I can be myself around others." -Girls Lead for Life Participant
"I'v come home with better body image definitely, more confidence on making friends, and generally less attachment to technology." -Wilderness Adventure Participant
"I have become more aware of my needs and learned how to voice them and take up space." -Wilderness Adventure Participant
Women’s Wilderness exists to create space for girls, women, and non-binary people of all ages and backgrounds to find their place, their voice, and their power in the outdoors.
We believe access to nature is a right. We are one of the only gender-informed, social justice-focused outdoor educators in the U.S, and for 27 years we've been creating empowering spaces in the outdoors for women, girls, and non-binary people, particularly those who face discriminatory barriers to accessing outdoor spaces.
Organization name
Women's Wilderness
other names
WW, The Women's Wilderness Institute
1998
Category
Youth Development, Mental Health & Crisis Intervention, Environment
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Colorado State Tax Credits
Colorado Child Care Credit
Address
1206 Euclid Ave Suite 1Boulder County, CO, US