Outoor Academy

Many women feel they don't have the skills or confidence to start adventuring into the outdoors. Outdoor Academy is a 2023 grant-funded community project aiming to change that.

Why are we doing this?

These are some common worries holding women back from the outdoors. There is still an enduring perception of the outdoors as an extreme, competitive place which requires fitness, expensive travel, kit or expertise. Women, in particular, find this challenging and the 2021 LHW survey showed that, sadly, they are not always made to feel welcome. Yet we know the huge benefits access to the outdoors offers in terms of wellbeing, social and emotional learning, and environmental awareness to name just a few.

I’m not a proper outdoorsy person
I’m worried about going on my own
I don’t have the right kit/clothes
I feel like I don’t have the skills
I’m not fit or fast enough so I’ll hold everyone up

Outdoor Academy is being hosted by Siân through the Love Her Wild (LHW) community. LHW is an inclusive women’s community aiming to encourage more women engage in the outdoors.

fields	P0000499
studying map 2_edited	17948008169194028
P0000487	316685954_542813924387775_472563335307890414_n
wonder	P0010350
184366660_10164990467295156_6409958641761054226_n	gazing
P0010273	17884644512706167

What will we do?

Outdoor Academy will select 15 outdoor beginners to join the fully-funded weekend. It will be packed with outdoor learning workshops, activities and discussions to build outdoor confidence and skills. Ideas so far include:

- what to wear

- where to go

- what to do when you’re there

-overcoming confidence barriers

- navigation

- leave no trace

- camping skills

We are determined that Outdoor Academy will have a lasting impact. All workshops will be designed to have ‘to do’ actions so team members use their new skills and confidence to explore their local areas, take their families and friends outdoors more, join local LHW events, book outdoor skills courses and plan outdoor adventures. We will also aim to inspire and enable the 26k strong Love Her Wild community and others by sharing the story of the adventure.

Meet the leaders

Sian Brewer, Creator and Leader

What skills will you bring?

Designing outdoor learning experiences, coaching people for personal development, wildlife ID, hot chocolate making

Dagmar Astleitner, Assistant Leader

What skills will you bring?

My sense of adventure, DIY approach & love for nature, a calm space for people to learn and try, tree hugging!

Maureen Harrup, Assistant Leader

What are your hopes for OA?

A fun experience for the team to gain confidence in their abilities outdoors and learn new skills that will support them to flourish and inspire other Wilders.