OAP begins Women in the Wilderness program

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Monroy
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Many women new to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson might want to experience all Alaska has to offer, but don't know where to start.

This year, the Outdoor Adventure Program introduced the Women in the Wilderness program to encourage women to get outside. Erica McDaniel, 673d Force Support Squadron recreation specialist, started the program to make classes and trips such as hiking, glacier ice climbs and stand-up paddle boarding more accessible to women.

Led by female instructors, the classes and trips offered are geared toward women and giving them opportunities to learn in a more comfortable environment, McDaniel explained. Many times women expressed an interest in female-specific trips and that was one of the reasons the program began, she continued.

Most classes are introductions to things such as camping, fishing, kayak training, hiking and outdoor rock climbing. The classes are usually followed by a trip where women can practice the skills they learned.

The classes are there to help with comfortability before going on the trip, but they are not necessary to attend before the trips, McDaniel said.

"You don't need any experience to come on our trips," McDaniel said. "It's all beginner-oriented and we're here to help."

Not only is this a way to help women feel more confident in their skills outdoors, it can help them find friends to continue to explore Alaska with, McDaniel said.

"Any ladies with base access, who are new to Alaska or the outdoors, are welcome," McDaniel said. "We want them to get out and learn about the wilderness."

For more information or to reserve a spot, call 552-2023.