Why outdoor adventure?

Countless studies show outdoor experiences increase self-confidence and reduce anxiety and depression. Teenage girls that spend time outside have an improved body image and better mental and physical well-being. But nationally only 35% of participants in outdoor activities, and more specifically only 20% of participants in mountain sports, are women.

We’re working to change that.

Our story began with a question: “How can we empower teen girls to be courageous and confident leaders?”

From the beginning, the voice of girls has created who we are. Our first pilot adventure launched in May 2016 with a hike to Table Rock in Boise. 

Six teens joined us for this inaugural adventure, and we asked them to reflect on words that represented community, outdoor adventure, and togetherness with other women. Together, they chose our name: Wild Hearts Idaho.

Wild Hearts Idaho began with our participants: by girls, for girls.

Our very first pilot hike to Table Rock in April 2016

The Challenge

  • Outdoor adventure camps girls Boise

    There is an outdoor adventure gender gap—and girls are being left behind.

    Preschool girls are 16% less likely to be taken outside than their male counterparts for playtime. Only 20% of women participate in outdoor adventures by the time they’re in their 60s, compared to over 40% of men. According to JAMA, the gender gap in outdoor activity participation continues to widen as girls grow.

  • Boise girls camp

    Historical exclusion of women from the outdoors creates a less inclusive, less safe, less welcoming environment.

    For centuries, outdoor adventure has been culturally considered the domain of men—sometimes implicitly, though often explicitly—causing women to feel unsafe and unwelcome in outdoor spaces.

  • Outdoor adventure camps girls Boise

    Outdoor adventure has positive impacts for all genders, but may be particularly impactful for young women.

    Research indicates that the outdoors can increase self confidence, improve body image, reduce anxiety and depression, as well as improve physical health, particularly for young women. So why are girls being left inside more often than their male counterparts?

  • Outdoor adventure camps girls Boise

    American children are indoors and in front of screens more than ever before—and it may be impacting their mental health.

    According to the CDC, the average American teenager has more than four hours per day of screen time. The CDC notes that higher screen time has been linked to increases in anxiety and depression and other adverse health outcomes, particularly among adolescents. Time outdoors can reduce screen time and introduce teens to the transformative benefits of nature.

Our Approach

We are a girl-focused and girl-led organization. Our impact is centered on building leadership skills in teen girls, ages 12-18, through outdoor adventure.

Our programs combine outdoor adventure with girl leadership and community to create engaging and supportive experiences for girls to explore, grow, and lead.

  • We bring girls ages 12-18 on outdoor adventures, all free of cost to participants, breaking through socioeconomic barriers. We provide all gear and our experienced outdoor Adventure Mentors teach leadership, technical, and outdoor skills to all participants.

    Our adventures include half-day, full-day, and overnight options, including:

    Hiking

    Backpacking

    Rafting

    Snowshoeing

    Rock Climbing

  • We already know the outdoors foster a sense of confidence that can change a girl’s life forever. We take our mentorship a step further with leadership training on every single adventure, for every single participant. This includes:

    Leadership Progression Model

    Youth Leadership Board

    Outdoor Leadership

  • We believe deeply in the value of community connection and its positive impact on young girls. Our programs operate with a girl-led, inclusive, and accessible model. Through building close ties among participants, volunteers, Adventure Mentors, staff, board members, and our wider community, we develop the community leaders of tomorrow.

Our Youth Leadership Board

Here at Wild Hearts Idaho, we practice what we preach. We’re an organization for girls, by girls, and our Youth Leadership Board allows us not only to develop deeper leadership skills with a select group of talented young women, but also to take input and direction from the population we’re serving.

2024/25 Youth Leadership Board Members

Beau, Kuna High School

Millie, Bishop Kelly High School

Jayden, Mountain View High School

Charlene, Borah High School

Vera, Riverstone International School

Carmen, Cole Valley Christian HS

Elyse, Sage International

Delaney, Boise High School

Meet the team

Our non-profit organization is lead by our Executive Director, Serena Rasmussen, alongside our executive committee and board.