ABOUT US
Run by ‘Squatters alumni, this 501c3 nonprofit uplifts women and nonbinary folks at a pivotal moment in their lives by connecting them in the kinship, growth, and empowerment of shared outdoor pursuits.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Outdoor Leaders
since 2014
chapters
members
events hosted
volunteers
OUR MISSION
Backcountry Squatters builds an inclusive outdoor community by providing opportunities for leadership, personal growth, and professional development.
This is accomplished through chapters that offer events for community building, DEI education, and honing technical skills.
OUR VISION
Women and non-binary individuals feel that the outdoor community and industry is an environment where they can show up comfortably, confidently, and authentically.
CORE PILLARS OF BACKCOUNTRY SQUATTERS
Community
When Backcountry Squatters members recreate together, they build life-long friendships and support networks that will see them through greater challenges to come.
EDUCATION
Backcountry Squatters invests in outdoor education for community members to increase women’s and non-binary individuals’ representation, participation, and leadership in the outdoor industry and community.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Backcountry Squatters members educate themselves about historic and present forms of discrimination along racial and ethnic lines, sexual orientation, gender identity, class and religion. Our members learn about power and privilege in order to create an inclusive environment.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Real growth happens outside. Backcountry Squatters members benefit from the connections, confidence, resilience, capability, health, and creativity that outdoor recreation provides.
LEADERSHIP
Backcountry Squatters gives women and non-binary individuals a safe environment to develop their unique leadership and collaboration style, often for the first time. Our members write their own narratives of what leadership looks like today.
ADVOCACY
Through a relationship with the natural world, we have a strong desire to protect public lands, support the environment, and understand the importance of climate change— voting, donating, and shaping the world by doing so.