Recognized by New Leaders Initiative - Program of Earth Island Institute.
Received 2023 Brower Youth Award for Environmental Activism 
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Welcome to HYPE: GIRLS!Description
This program is for teenage girls of color. Through collaboration, members can connect with peers of similar backgrounds and develop a sense of community. It is well documented that systemic racism exists in hiking, since outdoor spaces can be overwhelmingly White. The objective is for teenage girls of color to have equitable access to inclusive outdoor spaces as well as training in outdoor skills. HYPE: GIRLS focuses on promoting a passion for the outdoors and the importance of how interaction with nature can promote emotional and mental wellness. This program is motivated by the need to create safe spaces where such matters can be discussed and addressed. In addition to organized hikes, girls have the opportunity to benefit from guest speaker presentations and interactive group sessions. By interacting with nature and hiking outdoors, girls can feel a sense of joy and accomplishment. Hiking helps girls focus on becoming stronger, fitter, and improving their overall physical and emotional health. It is vital that teenage girls feel they are engaging with their environment and obtaining meaningful life experiences. HYPE: GIRLS provides an opportunity for teenage girls of color to create a social community with common experiences as well as to develop an appreciation of natural environments as lifelong options for recreation. 
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Share Your Voice!
An informal survey asking about your hiking experience and thoughts on diversity in hiking.
Responses will help shape the program to better meet the needs and the interests of members.
Membership
Membership is open to teenage girls from BIPOC families living in the broader New York area. The program is best suited for girls that are in grades 6-12.
HYPE: GIRLS will create alliances with local schools and community organizations to involve youth.
HYPE: GIRLS will create alliances with local schools and community organizations to involve youth.
Reading Resources
Alumni Stories: Empowering Girls of Color Outdoors
https://www.cobs.org/blog/2022/10/04/alumni-stories-empowering-girls-of-color-outdoors/
The mental health benefits of an inclusive outdoor escape
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/well/mind/ecotherapy-mental-health-diversity.html
Overcoming The Outdoors Diversity Gap: These Hiking Clubs Are Helping Women Of Color Heal In Nature
www.forbes.com/sites/annahaines/2021/09/13/overcoming-the-outdoors-diversity-gap-these-hiking-clubs-are-helping-women-of-color-heal-in-nature/?sh=2d4f0d2743f3
Hiking a diverse trail: The great outdoors is finally drawing more people of color
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/hiking-a-diverse-trail-the-great-outdoors-is-finally-drawing-more-people-of-color/2018/09/08/c429e470-ad6b-11e8-a8d7-0f63ab8b1370_story.html
BIPOC hiking groups work to make the outdoors a more diverse space
https://www.optimistdaily.com/2021/03/bipoc-hiking-groups-work-toward-making-the-outdoors-a-more-diverse-space/
Five ways to make the outdoors more inclusive
https://www.theatlantic.com/sponsored/rei-2018/five-ways-to-make-the-outdoors-more-inclusive/3019/
The Unbearable Whiteness of Hiking and How to Solve It
https://www.sierraclub.org/outdoors/2016/12/unbearable-whiteness-hiking-and-how-solve-it
Hiking is not just for able-bodied white people anymore
https://www.healthline.com/health/outdoor-health/hiking-is-becoming-more-inclusive
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outdoors
https://www.nynjtc.org/content/diversity-outdoors
https://www.cobs.org/blog/2022/10/04/alumni-stories-empowering-girls-of-color-outdoors/
The mental health benefits of an inclusive outdoor escape
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/well/mind/ecotherapy-mental-health-diversity.html
Overcoming The Outdoors Diversity Gap: These Hiking Clubs Are Helping Women Of Color Heal In Nature
www.forbes.com/sites/annahaines/2021/09/13/overcoming-the-outdoors-diversity-gap-these-hiking-clubs-are-helping-women-of-color-heal-in-nature/?sh=2d4f0d2743f3
Hiking a diverse trail: The great outdoors is finally drawing more people of color
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/hiking-a-diverse-trail-the-great-outdoors-is-finally-drawing-more-people-of-color/2018/09/08/c429e470-ad6b-11e8-a8d7-0f63ab8b1370_story.html
BIPOC hiking groups work to make the outdoors a more diverse space
https://www.optimistdaily.com/2021/03/bipoc-hiking-groups-work-toward-making-the-outdoors-a-more-diverse-space/
Five ways to make the outdoors more inclusive
https://www.theatlantic.com/sponsored/rei-2018/five-ways-to-make-the-outdoors-more-inclusive/3019/
The Unbearable Whiteness of Hiking and How to Solve It
https://www.sierraclub.org/outdoors/2016/12/unbearable-whiteness-hiking-and-how-solve-it
Hiking is not just for able-bodied white people anymore
https://www.healthline.com/health/outdoor-health/hiking-is-becoming-more-inclusive
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outdoors
https://www.nynjtc.org/content/diversity-outdoors
“Government officials and environmental advocates agree that the racial disparity in the outdoors is an existential crisis". - Ebbs and Dwyer from a 2020 ABC news story
