Girlventures

Project CourageThis ten day course is for participants who are entering the 7th and 8th grade. It is a course centering around kayaking in the Tomales Bay and the participants carry everything they will need for the expedition. This course builds upon the experiences of Redwood Adventure and allows for a longer experience to build outdoor skills.

TransitionsThis course returned to the Courtright Reservoir in August in the Sierra National Forest and John Muir Wilderness for 14 days of backpacking through the area. Participants were able to experience climbing with rappelling and abseiling with our instructors.

On The RiseThis is another 14 day course for students entering 10-12th grade. This is a leadership course where students backpack and climb in the Sierra National Forest and John Muir Wilderness. Throughout the course students focus on building community via exploring social justice, identity and leadership building. Students from this course are encouraged to become assistant instructors or join the Youth Advisory Board.

Fierce and FabulousThis course is open to all students that identify as LBGBT+ and are in 9th-12th grade. This is one of the newest courses offered that grows every year, unfortunately we were not able to run this course due to Covid. We were able to offer spots in other courses for the students that they happily joined.

Rising TogetherThis is another affinity course that centers itself around the empowerment of BIPOC identified youth in 9th-12th grade. This four day kayaking course is led by instructors that reflect the identities of the students. Students explored Tomales Bay and reflected on being in the outdoors as a young person and how to feel confident and strong in that space.

Explore OutsideThis is our school year program that occurs over 8 weeks in the Fall and Spring. Participants meet at the GirlVentures office and head to the Point Reyes Wilderness area. While there, they explore and learn with an expert on the area.

Girls Climb OnOur popular climbing program returned in 2022 and we were able to begin a course at Pacific Pipe Gym in Oakland, as well as continuing at M0vement Gym in San Francisco. In this course students are paired with adult mentors with sessions that are after school or on weekends.

Youth Advisory BoardYAB returned in with the school year and was a group of returning students and some new adult mentors. The year began with a day retreat at Samuel P. Taylor Park in Marin County, a place many had never visited before. The year was spent focusing on social emotional learning, self care, and environmental advocacy.

Assistant InstructorsThe AI program is one that GV is very excited to build upon every year. The pipeline of participants moving to being an instructor is fundamental to our programs and equity and inclusion in the outdoor industry. The AIs embody our Leadership Progression model and this year we were happy to have them join us on two courses as well as fulfilling roles in Logistics and planning the courses.