“There are people who don’t have a community like this... and when you have one, you need to share it.”
community, and grow their circle of amazing people to call friends. Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) Executive Director Teresa Martinez attended the Montana retreat at Camp Hyalite. She sees the potential to create more safe and brave spaces for people who don’t often see themselves represented in the outdoors. She described them as “places to not only see themselves represented but to experience them and become the leaders in the spaces they need.” The program partners are also looking ahead to the future of the group and how it can continue to foster a love for hiking in women over 50. There is hope for it to expand and involve more women by adding resources, partners, and additional opportunities to get outside—together. Although Martinez did not participate in the full
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program, she believes in supporting programs and initiatives that improve access and equity. Martinez added, “Because of [CDTC’s] unique role, we can create more of these kinds of opportunities and engage our entire team in helping do the work: Whether it’s me showing up here, or leading Pride hikes, or women-focused volunteer projects.” From the participants, there is hope that the program can and will continue. Still, the seed has clearly been planted, and more women are answering the call to become leaders in their communities and families. Most importantly, these women are not creating a one-size-fits-all approach to getting outside but an open space for others to cultivate their own goals and interests and find the support to grow them. “There are people who don’t have a community like this,” Henckler said, “and when you have one, you need to share it.”
