Safety and Risk Managment

Safety is the very first priority of our courses. We have an excellent safety record and a strong commitment to making our courses as safe as possible. All girls learn the basics in self care for living outdoors and receive safety briefings for all course activities. Our course activities are age appropriate and are taught as a progression to gradually increase competency, confidence and readiness. Our philosophy is a “challenge by choice” approach whereby girls choose and define their own challenge for the day. Rock climbing,for example, girls choose their challenge related to climbing. For some girls, achieving competence as belayer is as valued as climbing the hardest climb. Girls’ rights and decisions will be respected, and no girl is ever forced or “talked into” doing something she does not want to do.

Group size is limited to up to 12. Our core curriculum has intentional community building that emphasizes cooperation, leadership and communication. We strive for everyone to be heard and seen by listening to the needs and interests of each girl and each group, and adapting course content accordingly. Our courses are real wilderness experiences where inherent risks exist. Each Instructor team has at least one instructor who is certified as a Wilderness First Responder, an 80-hour training in backcountry medicine. All of our field staff are Wilderness First Aid certified.

Since 2002, GirlVentures’ Risk Management Committee (RMC) has monitored risk management and current safety practices collecting, analyzing and acting upon annual reviews of incidents and close-call data. The committee has an appropriate representative mix of GV staff, board member/s and outside advisors who bring expertise in the relevant areas of legal counsel, medical/therapeutic practice and wilderness risk management. Under the direction of the Program Director, the RMC meets three times annually to review, discuss and recommend any necessary changes that might increase safety or program quality.