Adventures fit for a queen
In 2017, Anna McNuff and Emma Frampton started an adventure community for women who want to get outdoors. What started as a single Facebook group six years ago has now become a nationwide organisation, with 28 volunteer-run regional groups holding events such as walks, paddleboarding and kayaking for its members.
We spoke to Nadia Weigh, one of the group’s community leaders:
On the need for Adventure Queens…
“A lot of the famous adventurers that Emma and Anna were seeing were men, and there were very few women talking about their epic adventures. Plus, they recognised that women have certain unique barriers that stop them from being active outdoors.
There are concerns about safety, about getting the right kit, about being on your period[…]The group facilitates discussion around these concerns, and enables women to come together and go on these adventures in a safe and secure way. They can share tips and advice, and cheer each other on!”
On inclusivity…
“We started a film and book club during the pandemic, as well as virtual skill sharing sessions. We thought it would be a temporary thing, but we had people joining who had never come to an event before. The idea of just turning on Zoom makes it more inclusive and accessible.
When you’re trying to get people outdoors, sometimes it’s okay to start indoors – planting that seed of adventure in their mind and helping them build their confidence through giving information and enabling them to meet each other online before they commit to an actual outdoor event.”
On the future…
“A lot of the women who join Adventure Queens may not have much experience in the outdoors, but there are lots of other women who don’t even feel confident enough to join a group like ours.
We’re doing some specific projects this year – one with refugee women, and another with women who have long-term health conditions. That’s something we’re really passionate about, working with women at all stages of their adventure journey.”
Check out the group on their website and Instagram.
For more about Adventure Queens, and other female adventure communities in the UK, take a look at GORP’s latest print issue.