Strengthening women and girls’ confidence in the outdoors -- and life!
Outdoor Women Lead (OWL) reduces barriers women and girls experience in the outdoors.
We believe when more people have meaningful experiences outdoors, their quality of life, health, and social well-being improve.
We offer:
- An Outing Group for Women, participants explore local land preserves and waterways while learning about local natural ecology and getting outside with like-minded women.
- A Summer Camp for Girls. Girls learn outdoor, naturalist, and gardening skills at Milbridge Commons Wellness Park.
- Outdoor Skill-Building Workshops are open to not only women, but all community members.
Imagine the community you want.
Together, we can create it.
OWL is a collaborative project between WHRL and Maine Outdoor School, and is open to anyone for whom “woman” is a meaningful identifier or lived experience.
Outing Group for Women
Are you interested in joining other women on outdoor adventures and learning more about our local natural ecology? This outing group is reserved for women and girls 16+.
Upcoming Outings
In the event of a necessary weather-related cancellation, outings will be rescheduled. Registered participants will be emailed the Friday afternoon before an outing in the event of a postponement.
We ask that you please leave your dogs at home for OWL hikes.
Please let us know if the gas prices prevent you from participating! Contact lizzie@whrl.org.
Spanish Language Interpreter Service Available
Please let us know if interpreter services would make this experience more accessible.
“OWL is a life-changing program that has given me strength and education. It’s a great way to meet others.”
“On the OWL hikes, I feel the companionship of hiking with other women and the beauty of nature.”
“OWL is the only group where you can have honest conversations about being a woman in the outdoors without fear of judgment or ridicule that you aren’t exploring or hiking or doing whatever outside activity “right” or “correct.””
Gear Library
WHRL and MOS have a gear collection for OWL outings. Please reach out directly to Lizzie at 413-717-7827 or by email at lizzie@whrl.org if you are interested in using any of the items below. Use is first-come, first-served. Need something that you don’t see on the list below? Reach out!
Available Gear
- Trekking poles (6 sets)
- Microspikes (4 sets, two small, two medium)
- Snow Shoes
- Warm layers: hats, mittens, jackets, snowpants, a few pairs of snow boots, rain ponchos, scarves, warm socks
Outdoor Skill Building Workshops
These skill-building workshops are open not only to women but to all community members.
OWL Image Gallery
