Being
a female in Adventure Education
When I first joined the Prescott College community,
I knew that I wanted to be part of the adventure education (AE) program, but I
was intimidated by the “masculine qualities one must possess” to be considered
an acceptable leader. The qualities that I thought one “needed” were brute strength,
the ability to be able to conquer any skill, and have great climbing skills. I
started to question my area of study. Perhaps, I should look into holistic
heath, or psychology. I was comfortable with these topics. But, adventure clung
onto my mind and I wanted to continue to explore my past with climbing and
broaden my skill set. Yes, I was going to study adventure education!
When in-town orientation started and it was time to
register for fall semester classes, I found one class that I knew that I needed
to be part of. This course was called “Women’s Topics in Wilderness Leadership
and Introduction to Rock Climbing.” I was so excited that I was not the only
one feeling the stereotypes one needs (masculine qualities) to be part of AE. I
was going to learn how to best support myself as a female in AE.
Joshua Tree!
A month later (after wilderness orientation) it was
time to go to my first Women’s Topics class. This is when it hit me. I am
taking an eight credit course with ALL women. Maybe this will be even scarier
than just taking a class with guys. It will be harder to hide behind women. Our
first weekend trip away from Prescott was to the San Juan River in Utah. We
were taking a four day rafting trip to get to know one another. Don’t get me
wrong; I like to talk and get to know people, but on this trip I found myself
silent and unable to open up. This happened because; I was amazed at how lucky
I was to be part of a course that was developed in order to empower women and
to have a chance to show their strengths in AE. It was also to teach women that
they are competent and are capable at being well-rounded adventure educators. I
am not talking about one arm pull-up strength, but the pure, raw, and unique
strength that each one of us possesses.
I could not have asked for a better course to
deliver me into my AE career. Since taking Women’s Topics in Wilderness
Leadership, I got to TA the course and also I was qualified to be student
leader (alongside a professional leader) for Wilderness Orientation. Prescott
College has provided opportunities for me that I would have not expected when I
first stepped onto campus. By looking at my personal needs, in order to thrive,
I have gotten an individualized education that I would have not been able to
dream up. Now I am proud to say that “I do climb like a girl” and that the
qualities that I have, have created confidence in me and I know that I picked the
right area of study at Prescott College. What area are you going to choose?
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