Why join a women only group?
Do you want to get outside more but are put off by the fear of not having the right kit, not feeling ‘adventurous enough’ or are simply not sure how to get started? Women who face the most barriers to being outdoorsy are women from low income and diverse backgrounds, as well as older women. So how can we help these ladies to feel inspired and confident to get outside more?
One way that women can feel more encouraged is through other women. Ordnance Survey is collaborating with ‘This Girl Can’ as part of their Let’s Get Out There campaign to showcase that the great outdoors is for ALL women and they can get active how they like! Take a look at the new OS Women Outdoors Hub for lots of great inspiration and advice.
Ordnance Survey Champion Natasha Sones is also a volunteer with female outdoorsy group Adventure Queens, and here she writes about how joining groups like this can help women build up confidence.
What are the Adventure Queens all about?
The Adventure Queens is a UK based, not-for-profit women’s adventure community – set up with the aim of delicately smashing down the barriers that prevent women from going on outdoor adventures and realising their full potential. Free to join, highly accessible and completely inclusive for anyone that identifies as a woman. The group has created a wild and welcoming space for ALL women.
One project they have had in the past is a ‘Getting into Hiking’ programme. This programme was for women new to/returning to hiking who feel unable to join existing community hikes at present due to low fitness and/or long term health conditions or injury. It enabled participants to build confidence, fitness and gain experience on different terrain in a safe and supportive group, led by a qualified Hill and Moorland Leader. The feedback from women on this programme was amazing, with several saying they felt so empowered.
One project offered annually is the Adventure Queens Grant. This is their way of helping women take on their biggest human-powered, boundary-pushing, life-changing adventure through providing funding, kit and mentoring. If you have an idea you have always wanted to see come to fruition but never thought you could, why not apply!
How can I meet other Adventure Queens?
Adventure Queens runs regular campouts, in-store partner events, online events and more. Their main events are on their website, www.adventurequeens.co.uk. Adventure Queens is all about getting more women outdoors and they really believe our community and events help do that.
Join the Adventure Queens Community to see what these groups are all about. You can find out more information at www.adventurequeens.co.uk
What if I’m not ready to meet up in person yet?
If you can’t get to a group meet-up then online is the next best thing. Joining an online community gives women the chance to ask those burning questions, get support for that adventure idea and share their own stories, experiences and advice. There is a main Adventure Queens Facebook group, regional groups, a mum’s group and several groups further afield. You can even post anonymously if you have a query you might find a bit embarrassing. Chances are, other people have wondered the same thing and will have lots of suggestions
Hear from some of the women Adventure Queen’s has inspired and supported
Heidi‘s Story
“I was in a relationship when I first joined the Adventure Queens, had seen posts from Anna McNuff (Founder) and felt so inspired to be part of a women’s community as well.
I’ve always been an outdoors person and loved all outdoor activities, but thought joining AQ would give me the knowledge, network and information base to be able to join others and meet likeminded women. I cycle, climb, hike, swim, camp, kayak, canoe, SUP – and anything else which I fancy.
Through the AQs, I’ve now begun the journey towards my Hill & Moorland Leader, through a fellow AQ who runs navigation training, and I now have the confidence to go out into the hills on my own, confident I have the skills and knowledge to be able to this alone.
The relationship I was in ended, and my adventures have just got bigger and better ever since! Meeting and networking with fellow AQs inspires me daily, and I have met a few over the years too. In fact, I recently hung out with some at the Armchair Adventure Festival in Cornwall. So a big thank you to everyone involved in bringing this community together. There is never any pressure to fully engage if you don’t want to, and adventures can be big and small, it’s MY adventure.”
Nadia‘s Story
“I love being the Adventure Queens Community Lead and am passionate about getting more women outdoors and pushing themselves out of their comfort zones.
A driving force behind my recent world record attempt was a desire to champion women in sport. In competitive paddling, we often see a lack of visibility for women, and we wanted to change that narrative. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions, whether in kayaking or any other adventure.
Sometimes you don’t have to be the best or fastest – you just have to be the one bonkers enough to give it a go! Many women suffer with imposter syndrome so we have to keep reminding each other – we are capable of so much more than we believe… So, to all the Adventure Queens out there: take the leap! Find your adventure, whether it’s kayaking down a river or another adventure you’ve been daydreaming about. You might just surprise yourself!”
Heather‘s Story
“Not long after I’d discovered the Adventure Queens, I took the plunge and went along to the fifth anniversary Big Camp-Out in the Malverns. And I’m so glad I did! I camped next to Charlotte from Bournemouth and we quickly found we shared an interest in bikepacking. Since that chance meeting, we’ve had some amazing adventures, often in the company of other bikepacking Adventure Queens.
Last year, for example, a group of us cycled the Hebridean Way along the length of the Outer Hebrides and this year, Charlotte and I drove across Europe to join a Sisters in the Wild bikepacking trip in Slovenia. From meeting in a field, to cycling together up and across the highest pass in Slovenia, it’s been quite a journey. I can’t imagine I’d have done and seen so much, and made such great friends, without the existence of the Adventure Queens. Just take a deep breath and join in – you never know what might happen.”
Kathryn‘s Story
“I’m a ‘newbie’ adventure queen! I first became involved when I applied to be part of a mentor group to learn and discuss with others how to plan for a multi-day outdoor adventure. The opportunity to listen and learn from experienced outdoor adventurers, especially other women, was invaluable and the fact that this incurred no cost meant it was accessible for me too.
Jill was our mentor and she shared many ideas and tops tips with us. As a result, I hope to walk two parts of the Welsh coastal path this year, Pembrokeshire and Anglesey! If this goes well I will hopefully complete the rest the following year!
By being of this community I have been able to build my confidence in planning future expeditions and walks. I have even signed up for my Hill and Moorland leadership qualification in the hope of using it to help others access the outdoors!
I have since been given the exciting opportunity to be part of the ‘volunteer queens’ as their newsletter queen! The group have allowed me to develop a new skill set which I will forever be grateful for!”
How can I support Adventure Queens?
Help us run events and projects that change lives by volunteering with AQ. Read on for some examples of how the group has helped women to live adventurous lives.
You can also help the group by:
1. Joining the AQ Discount Club. Contribute just £20 for the year (£10 if you join in 2025) and you will receive a digital perks pack. Start saving and support the AQ community. Check out this link or email: hello@adventurequeens.co.uk. Your membership fuels more events, more support, more adventures.
2. Donating here
3. Supporting through easyfundraising, which means you can raise FREE donations every time you shop online.
A List of Female Groups to Inspire Your Next Outdoor Adventures
ESEA Sisters (East and South East Asian women, trans, non-binary and genderqueer)
Forest Gravel Cycling Club (queer-centred and matriarchal-led, led by women)
The Wanderlust Women (Muslim hiking group)
By Natasha Sones
Natasha Sones is a Stand-Up Paddleboarding Instructor, wild swimming enthusiast and Ordnance Survey Champion. She is also a travel writer and currently writing a book about wild swimming in England.
Read Natasha’s Travel Blog | Natasha Sones Family Adventures Blog
