Empowerment through Adventure
Girl & Her Backpack
Building community, confidence, and leadership skills through the outdoors.
Girl & Her Backpack creates transformative outdoor experiences for teen girls. We are an outdoor movement led by girls, powered by volunteers, and rooted in equity. We help girls discover their strength, trust themselves, and connect with each other — away from screens, pressure, and expectations.
What we do
As Utah’s only outdoor nonprofit for teen girls, we believe that every girl deserves access to the outdoors, regardless of gear, background, or ability. Our programs are guided by trained volunteers, supported by community donations, and rooted in the belief that girls grow when they’re challenged, trusted, and seen.
1. Make the outdoors more accessible to and inclusive of all girls. You belong outside with us.
2. Provide girls with resources to live a healthier lifestyle and build rewarding relationships outside of our program.
3. Tear down barriers in Utah that may prevent girls from building inclusive and diverse friendships.
4. Help girls realize their full-potential by increasing confidence and resources available to them.
Our Programs
Learn.
Girl & Her Backpack school programs inspire confidence and curiosity in girls grades 8-12 through engaging outdoor education. These programs bring nature-based learning into schools and create opportunities for students to connect, grow, and develop leadership skills.
Build.
Girl & Her Backpack Teams offer a chance to connect, explore, and grow together. From February to May, adventure teams meet twice a month for hikes and enriching activities like yoga, journaling, and indoor climbing, fostering friendships and a love for nature.
Rise.
Rise is a 3-day, 2-night backpacking adventure in the Uinta and Wasatch Mountains for girls ages 11-17. This program teaches backpacking skills, fosters friendships, and creates space for fun and personal growth in the stunning Utah wilderness.
What girls are saying
“If someone asked me what Girl & Her Backpack was, my answer would be a bunch of girls laughing and having fun and just like hanging out and bonding.”
- Izzy, Age 12
“I think the Girl and her Backpack leaders are amazing and they're so easy to talk to and so kind, and I really appreciate [them].”
- Ananya, Age 16
“My favorite activities to do at camp were hiking, learning how to use a compass, and swimming in the freezing cold Lake, that was awesome.”
- Sofia, Age 16
