Feel Good Friday - GirlVentures

Summer is coming and for many people that means camping trips in the great outdoors. One group that brings young people into nature is today's Feel Good Friday organization, GirlVentures.

Founded in 1997 and based in San Francisco, GirlVentures "inspires girls to lead through outdoor adventure, inner discovery, and collective action." As explained on their website, "we envision a world where girls and women lead inclusive, resilient communities and where nature is accessible to everyone and conserved for future generations."

GirlVentures is built on the shared values of inclusion, integrity, empathy, creativity and community and their summer programs, ranging from 7 to 14 days, are targeted to girls from 6th to 12th grades. While hiking, kayaking and climbing through the Northern California wilderness, the girls and their mentors explore "identity, social justice, leadership, health, and the environment."

Surveys of participants show that after completing a course:

• 93% believe they can now be leaders
• 93% are more confident to be themselves regardless of what others think
• 92% believe their bodies can do more than they initially believed

All programs are offered on a sliding scale so that everyone has the opportunity to participate. During the school year options include rock climbing and a spring break course for girls of color. A list of online resources, books and other camps for boys and girls is available on the website year round.

To support the work of GirlVentures you can make a donation, volunteer and spread the word on social media by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter @GirlVentures.