Our  Mission

~ "be Brave even when you can't" ~      

Ali T '19

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

Mary Oliver

As leaders of this unique opportunity, we are active women who work with middle school aged girls. We see first-hand the issues of lack of self-esteem in our female teen population. Rather than just complain about the problem, we have decided to do something about it. Our project is a backpacking trip  in conjunction with Lasting Adventures within Yosemite National Park, CA. This program is designed to empower young women to realize their own inner strength through leadership opportunities, developing a stronger sense of self and exploring their personal connection with nature. The challenges experienced will encourage  young women to apply these traits while navigating through their daily lives with more resilience and success.

 Entering high school is often a tumultuous time period  for young girls, where they struggle with self-confidence and seek external acceptance and validation. This leads to many challenges for adolescents and young adults. We know girls have unlimited potential and greatness, but  need to be taught how to look inside themselves and build the confidence and strength to be the person they truly are capable of becoming.  Fear of criticism is the biggest deterrent to many girls stepping into leadership roles, and therefore we must teach them how to be resilient and mentally tough.  This program is modeled after the Armstrong Scholars program offered through NatureBridge within Yosemite National Park, which services girls aged 15-18. Studies show girls struggle with self-esteem more during the ages of 13-14, so we decided to run a program specially for girls preparing for high school. This summer's planned trip will include the girls that originally committed to go last summer but never got the opportunity due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The past five trips have been successful for the 50 young women, ages 13-14, from our Cape Cod community. This summer's trip is set for late June and will cover 10 girls, 2 InwardBound Wilderness female leaders, and 2 female educators/guides from Lasting Adventures. During the 7-day trip, the girls will learn about identity, strength, leadership, wilderness skills, and communication through working with their female leaders to complete a 20-45 mile backpacking trip through Yosemite National Park. 

Our goal is to fundraise for the entire trip, having the girls involved in the process. The entire trip costs $25,994 ($2,215 per participant).

Please consider supporting this program through our donation button on the homepage or with a check  made out and mailed to: InwardBound Wilderness - Nauset 10, c/o Kim Thatcher, 25 Kear Dr., Eastham, MA 02642

Trip Leaders, Kim Thatcher and Jess Newell, provide this opportunity to the girls selflessly. Both take leave, for the week, from their summer jobs and fundraise right along with the girls. The total cost of the trip is solely for the Lasting Adventure program, airfare, and van rental.