Moonlight and Marshmallows

During a school vacation week, Elevate Youth, the Harris Center for Conservation Education, and SheJumps Northeast partnered on an action-packed overnight camping trip in southern NH for a group of girls who showed incredible bravery and enthusiasm.

Why did we cultivate this trip just for girls? Typically, girls begin to shy away from organized sports and out-of-school-time activities around middle school. In 2024, we noticed that our participation rate averaged just 39% girls. At this delicate age, children are transitioning into their teenage years, discovering more about themselves, and often navigating strong and unfamiliar emotions. Social dynamics and the search for steady friendships can deeply influence their choices and self-perception.

In response to adolescents’ needs, we designed this experience in collaboration with other educators and leading women in conservation and recreation. Beyond fostering connections among the girls, this representation reinforces the message that they, too, belong in nature.

Our overnight adventure was full of hiking and ponding in the afternoon—you have to ask us about all the newts and huge tadpoles we found! We hosted a scavenger hunt where the girls practiced mindfulness in between running around the lush landscape, enjoyed dinner with new friends and caring adults, gathered around a campfire (of course!), and went on an owl prowl. This was a new experience for the girls, where they worked together without using flashlights to feel their way through the night. We hooted (no hollering this time) in unison and connected to constellations in the sky.

In the morning, we were up early to break down camp, reflect on our experiences and connections through nature journaling, thank our naturalists and leaders, and head back to Boston. Oh, and we had to wave farewell to a porcupine as well!

Elevate Youth staff planned this experience over several months, carefully considering comfort zones, psychological safety for girls and their families, engaging activities, nutritious snacks and meals, gear preparation, and more all through a lens of empowerment.

Thank you, Jaimee, Nikko, and our volunteers, for your dedication to supporting more and more girls in the outdoors—we can’t wait to see you again!

Lastly, it’s clear from the photos that our girls are ready for…. S’more Summer!