Courtney Aber, national BOLD & GOLD director, has seen the difference it makes to have young people gather in single-gender groups. She\u2019s observed that boys are more likely to show their vulnerability and talk about societal pressures, and girls are more likely to challenge themselves and beauty standards and discuss what it means to be a woman. Conversations around body image, confidence, masculinity and femininity tend to happen more freely and comfortably in single-gender settings, Aber explained. It\u2019s also a place to reflect on societal standards that put pressure on girls to always be feminine and boys to always be masculine. When placed in a setting outside of rigid gender roles, BOLD & GOLD believes it may be easier for young people to unpack those standards and see whether they want to subscribe to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSome LGBTQ people and allies worry single-gender programming isn\u2019t inclusive of those who fall outside of the binary gender scheme. However, organizations like GirlVentures are broadening the definition. The group says girls refers to \u201cgender expansive youth (cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, gender queer youth and any girl-identified youth).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other organizations advocate for all-gender programming, steering clear of single-gender trips. Simulating real-world interactions, all-gender programs can teach young people how to interact together in a collaborative setting. \u201cThey experience these really physical wilderness skills like making fires and carrying a lot of weight. It\u2019s important for coed groups to do those roles equally, to see that they\u2019re both equally competent,\u201d said Juliet Ramirez, assistant program director for Lasting Adventures, a Yosemite-based guiding service for young adults. In these settings, there may be less room to discuss the intricacies of gender norms, but more opportunities to break down stereotypes in an organic fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are even some organizations, like Outward Bound, that understand the importance of both single- and all-gender programs. Schmidt believes both types of programming have their benefits and downsides. In single-gender courses, he said, girls have more chances to be courageous and boys have more chances to be vulnerable. However, these courses don\u2019t mimic real-world scenarios, where genders are mixed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Noting the pro’s and con’s of single and mixed gender outdoor programing is important as it highlights how beneficial outdoor experiences are. Changes in the environment help young people break from stereotypes and develop their own thoughts. This article is beneficial to my project as it highlights the importance of making sure girls get outside and are able to participate in activites that are not explicetly gendered. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n