Louise Johns
EXTRAORDINARY AFTER FIFTY How a National Network is Finding Confidence and Community in the Outdoors By Audra Labert (she/her) CDTC Communications Manager
Each year, 150 women from across the United States are invited to join the Over 50 Outside program (O50O). Participants are from various backgrounds, life experiences, interests, and abilities. Still, this program has created a platform for shared experiences and provided a springboard for accessing outdoor activities. Katherine Henckler only applied for the O50O program at the urging of her friend and neighbor. Since moving to Tucson from the East Coast in 2015, she has volunteered as a docent at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum as well as helping with the summer camps, and she has a background in early childhood education. Getting outside and walking is a habit she brought to the Southwest. Henckler particularly appreciates the accommodating weather of the “most beautiful” Tucson area. She loves the opportunity to get outside most days of the year, especially if she is willing to get up early some days to avoid the heat. After applying to the program in August of 2021, Henckler was selected to participate in the 2022 cohort of O50O. She said, chuckling, that although the friend who initially introduced her to the program was not accepted, they still spoke and hiked together. Over the next year, Henckler would connect with PAGE 16
other women and build a supportive network to explore, be challenged physically and mentally, and have a place to feel like she belonged. Before the program, when she looked around in the outdoor industry, Henckler wasn’t exactly sure where she fit in. She shared, “I look at outdoor ads and see these young gals in short shorts and tank tops, and that’s not me.” Thankfully, Henckler wasn’t alone. Over 50 Outside originates from Teresa Baker of the In Solidarity Project. Baker brought what she thought was a problem to Liz Wilson (formally Outdoor Research) and Amy Beck (Oboz Footwear): Why aren’t women over fifty represented in outdoor brand marketing? In response, the O50O group and idea formed as a partnership between Oboz, Osprey, Outdoor Research, and the 52 Hike Challenge to grow the representation of women over fifty in the outdoor industry. The year-long program begins with a one-year membership for the 52 Hike Challenge, monthly touch-bases over Zoom with the cohort, brand support and product discounts, and communication with the group members through the active Facebook group. The 52 Hike Challenge commitment is to complete fifty-two hikes in a year— one for each week of the year—of a mile or greater in distance. Additionally, the brand partners host a retreat to celebrate a year of hiking each August, where the women can come together in person. During the program, Henckler got outside more and felt more capable with her gear and attitude
