As the afternoon sun settles in Athens, a family of female and non-binary students can be found rock climbing, exploring Hocking Hills trails and reconnecting with nature.
Ohio University welcomed a chapter of Backcountry Squatters this semester, encouraging participants to adventure outside and develop new friendships. Backcountry Squatters is a nonprofit organization building leaders and an inclusive space “among women and gender-queer folks” in outdoor areas.
Founded in 2014 at Montana State University, the organization connects members with the “kinship” and “growth” of nature, as women and non-binary individuals have been historically excluded from outdoor adventure.
The European Institute for Gender Equality defines gender equity as the “provision of fairness and justice in the distribution of benefits and responsibilities between women and men.”
An article by the Awe Summit Scholarship Foundation claims a lack of gender equity in the outdoor environment is evident when analyzing the “participation gap” between men, women and non-binary people.
Less than 10% of women are American Mountain Guides Association-certified mountain guides and less than 2% of women are certified International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations mountain guides worldwide. These statistics may be fueled by “structural and cultural barriers,” including barriers to entry, safety, recognition and opportunity.
Backcountry Squatters has over 13 chapters, 34 volunteers and 1,592 members who engage in diversity, equity and inclusion lessons through thrilling activities. Exploring Hocking Hill trails, rock climbing and eliminating gender stereotypes are just a few of the OU chapter’s goals.
Meghan Martin, a junior studying environmental science and sustainability, is a co-founder of OU’s Backcountry Squatters and wilderness explorer. Martin said the chapter’s first meeting, held Feb. 20, had 25 attendees, who share a passion for adventure.
“Our mission for this particular chapter is to build this community and hopefully long-lasting memories of women and non-binary folk just having a blast outside,” Martin said.
Martin said a bonfire at The Ridges, a crochet night and camping trips at Hocking Hills are planned for this semester.
“Whether or not they have experience in the outdoors, this community is going to be so special and it is going to be so inviting,” Martin said. “Our goal is really just to make them feel safe and supported.”
Grace Duchon, a junior studying outdoor recreation education, is a co-founder and friend of Martin’s. She said the chapter was introduced to campus at a pivotal moment in history.
“Seeing all the different sexist issues that go on within the outdoor community while we are here at Ohio University made us realize this is kind of necessary,” Duchon said.
Not only do the Backcountry Squatters strive to eliminate gender stereotypes, but each chapter provides an atmosphere for members to express themselves and explore beyond their comfort zones.
“I think it is really important for Bobcats to join because women getting out in the outdoors is a scary environment,” Seda-Harmony Feldman, a junior studying social work, said.
Feldman said she did not grow up playing in an outdoor environment and each woman’s experience in outside activities can be different.
“You can say women are accepted in the outdoors, but oftentimes beginner women are excluded from that,” Feldman said. “I think that (Backcountry Squatters) is an environment that encourages women of all experience levels to be able to start getting outside.”
The organization offers an outdoor education scholarship for members who “seek non-male dominated” adventure and aspire to “enhance their participation, leadership and representation.” The application is open for students between the ages of 17 and 25, and students will receive $600.
Women and non-binary students who may be interested in attending the next meeting are encouraged to check the Backcountry Squatters’ Instagram page for event updates, meeting locations and times.
