Article by Sarah Boisen, Southeast Ambassador
SheJumps had a fantastic weekend partnering with the DC Adventure Film Festival in Washington, D.C. where Girafficorns passed along tips and tricks for making the most of time spent on the trail.
We covered female-specific Leave No Trace principals, and discussed best practices for reducing one’s impact when adventuring in the great outdoors. Participants had the opportunity to dig into conversation about what makes the trail experience unique for females.
Southeast Ambassador Boisen shared plenty of SheJumps stoke (and stickers)!
Ladies were able to casually discuss the dreaded question, “how the heck do I pee/poop in the woods!?”—a concern that can often deter females from getting out on the trail. We built upon the topic of basic bodily functions by tying in the importance of female hygiene in the backcountry. Participants were introduced to products like the Diva Cup and GoGirl and were informed on ways to dispose of feminine waste products in an environmentally friendly manner.
Sarah discussed Leave No Trace principles with participants to reduce backcountry impact!
Technical topics such as pack fitting/weighting and body mechanics were also covered with REI Inspired Guides on hand to assist in helping gals find the perfect gear for their next adventure. Participants were stoked to receive trail tools and essentials to add to their packs generously donated by SheJumps partners Eco Lips, Treeline Coffee Roasters, Mountain Hub, COOLA, Big Agnes, Essential Wipes and Misadventures female adventure magazine.
SheJumps is also a recent recipient of REI’s Force of Nature Fund aimed at creating more outdoor opportunities for women and girls, so we had a blast sharing with participants what this investment means for females searching for empowerment, education and community through outdoor initiatives.
Girafficorns Ana Ceci and Sarah passed along tips, tricks and of course, plenty of free goodies!
A huge thanks to the DC Adventure Film Festival and REI Washington D.C. for involving SheJumps in an epic, empowering and informative weekend!