Empowering Tomorrow’s Outdoor Leaders: Backcountry Squatters
Backcountry Squatters is a nationwide coalition of college clubs committed to fostering participation, leadership, and inclusivity among women and gender-queer folks within the outdoor industry and community.
about us
Run by ‘Squatters alumni, this 501c3 nonprofit uplifts women and gender-queer folks at a pivotal moment in their lives by connecting them in the kinship, growth, and empowerment of shared outdoor pursuits.
our chapters
We are opening the door to outdoor opportunities that women and non-binary folks have historically been excluded from. With chapters established accross the nation, Backcountry Squatters is rapidly expanding.
join us
Your support helps shape the next generation of resilient, empowered leaders. Together, we can make a difference, creating a more inclusive, resilient, and environmentally conscious future.
Upcoming Events
6th Annual Sasquatch Skedaddle
bozeman, mt + virtual option
November 17,2024
Join us for a 1 mile/5K/10K fun run to benefit Backcountry Squatters mission of building an inclusive outdoor community by providing opportunities for leadership, personal growth, and professional development. We also have a virtual option to participate from ANYWHERE between Nov. 11th-17th.
on the blog
Finding My Place in the Outdoors: A Journey of Growth Through Backcountry Squatters
Ella was a recipient of the 2022 Spring scholarship for outdoor education and completed an Canyoneering course through the University of Utah which helped her embrace her full outdoor potential.
Understanding Your Fertility: What Everyone Should Know
Understanding your reproductive health is essential, especially when it comes to fertility. In this blog post, one of our board members reflects on their experiences working in Reproductive Endocrinology and shares key insights on fertility factors, treatment options, and what everyone should know about family planning.
Ice Climbing w/ Jaime
Jaime was a recipient of the 2023 Fall scholarship for outdoor education and completed an Ice Climbing course in British ColumbiaWater ebbs and flows, collects memories and emotion as we interact with different facets of water - as fluid, as ice, as snow crystals....
Outside (of Gender Norms)
Envisioning and working towards a future when all women and non-binary people can feel the freedom of sunshine on their faces and wind in their hair is a deeply radical endeavor—much more radical than any river I’ve run or line I’ve skied.On a sunny day in June, the...
Representation in the Outdoor Industry & The Wilderness First Responder Course with Adi
Adi Sadeh was a recipient of the 2022 Fall scholarship for outdoor education and received her Wilderness First Responder certification through NOLS.
Wilderness First Responder Training w/ Clare
Clare was a recipient of the fall 2022 scholarship for outdoor education and completed her WFR through Remote Medical Training. It involved 40 hours of online coursework during the month leading up to the 5 day in-person course. Some of my earliest memories of...
What our community says:
From the beginning this movement has never been about how fast we can ski, how hard we can climb, or how far we can run–it has always been about pushing the boundaries of what women perceive as possible for themselves in outdoor culture, and in-turn, society. Through my own experience with Backcountry Squatters, I’ve found a meaningful sense-of-place in my community and have gotten to do so alongside women with an array of interesting backgrounds and stories–an experience I believe every woman should get the opportunity to have.
The Backcountry Squatters were a pleasure to partner with for avalanche education. The turnout for the classes was always high and the women were excited to learn. It’s great to work with a club that is eager to offer educational opportunities, as well as fun experiences.
I am always inspired by the women I have met through Backcountry Squatters. This community has introduced me to strong, confident, and amazing women who all share a collective enthusiasm for the outdoors. By maintaining a supportive atmosphere to pursue unique goals and have fun doing it, ‘Squatters has helped me build confidence in the mountains, on the river and even in school.
I got involved with the Backcountry Squatters at DU when it first got up and running because I wanted to not only inspire girls to join the outdoor community but also help other like-minded girls to find more gal pals to go get after it with. That’s why it has been so important to me: because we need more girl support in the outdoor community and an inclusive environment where we can grow and learn from each other.
WHO WE ARE
Backcountry Squatters is a vibrant community that empowers college women and non-binary folks at a pivotal moment in their lives. We are dedicated to fostering growth, leadership, and kinship through shared outdoor pursuits.
Our vision propels a new generation of leaders to thrive through college and beyond, making a lasting impact on the world. With a nationwide network of clubs, we prioritize community, leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion, education, and outdoor recreation, ensuring everyone can access the transformative power of the outdoors.