Alumni Network

The Backcountry Squatters Alumni Network primary goal is to support women and genderqueer people as they transition from their undergraduate experience into the broader world of adulthood. By fostering connections among past members around the country, the network provides a platform for continued growth, mentorship, and community. This initiative ensures that alumni have the opportunity to stay engaged, share experiences, and build resiliency in their personal and professional journeys.

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Reasons to be Involved:

Lifelong Community and Support

Professional Opportunities

Outdoor Resources

Alumni Spotlight: Emily

At one point in time, the worst part about Squatters was that it only lasted throughout your undergraduate experience. For me, four years of having a trusted outdoor network embedded into my life wasn’t long enough. Because of Squatters, I had taken countless outdoor education courses, met my best friends, spent every winter traveling around the country to ski, and learned vital leadership skills. Luckily during my second year at Montana State, the Backcountry Squatters non-profit was established. The development of the non-profit assured me that this community would extend beyond college and into a bigger and scarier transition of my life: adulthood.

Now, I have graduated and have launched into my next chapter post-college. Starting my career opened my eyes to the professional ways Squatters had impacted me throughout college. I was confident that I wanted to be a part of the non-profit to continue the enrichment community involvement can have. As an alumni and previous co-president of the Squatters club at MSU, joining the initiative to launch the alumni network was self-evident.

The alumni network is focused on the continuation of accessibility to outdoor communities that are built on the foundation of Backcountry Squatter ideals. Join our network and choose our community as something that doesn’t have to change once you graduate!

Alumni Spotlight: Erica

During undergrad, Backcountry Squatters was a cornerstone of my identity as founder and president of the SLU chapter. It wasn’t just an outdoor club; it was a community that supported me through the whirlwind highs and lows of college. The friends I made through our small but vibrant BCS community became my biggest cheerleaders, and a support system that helped me soar both personally and professionally.

As early as junior year, I wasn’t ready to think about having let go of the community, the endless adventures, the idea of being part of something larger than SLU, and our beloved pro deals – all of which further differentiated BCS from any other outing club, or outdoor adventure club. As I resisted thinking about letting go of Squatters, I had visions of an alumni network that would extend our unique BCS support beyond college by helping members navigate their next steps with the same sense of camaraderie and adventure. When the board announced the opening of Board Member positions, I knew this was my calling to join the board create network where alumni across the country could connect, support each other, and continue to thrive together—complete with friends/adventure partners, job leads, alumni gatherings, pro deals, and maybe even some epic trips!

The alumni network that I dreamt of back in the fall of 2022 has been in the making for a long time and with your involvement, we can bring this vision to life!! Emily, the BCS team, and I have laid the groundwork for our alumni network to flourish, but we need you and your BCS friends to help it grow into a strong, supportive community. Join us today on Mighty Networks and be part of this blossoming alumni garden!

Join the Alumni Network

By joining the Backcountry Squatters Alumni Network, you’ll stay connected to the incredible community you helped build in college. This is your chance to continue fostering friendships, access exclusive opportunities, and give back to the next generation of women and nonbinary individuals in the outdoors. Whether you’re looking to mentor, seek professional development, or find adventure partners, the Alumni Network offers you a lifelong connection to the Squatters’ mission and values!

Instructions on How to Join the Squatters App

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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.

-Colleen

Montana State University

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.

-Nina

Friends of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center Education Coordinator

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.

-Anna

Montana State Univerity

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.

-Avi

University of Denver