Gender, Adolescence and Pathways to Acceptance – choosing the right program for your child
Although our roots as an organization are in single gender programming, the framework of what we do has not altered over the years. We send young people on canoe tripping adventures that connect them to the land, water and sky, to each other, and ultimately themselves. We have never adjusted the physical aspects of our canoe trips for any consideration, other than age and experience level. Whether a participant begins their journey at Northwaters basecamp or at Langskib, we run the same routes and rivers, travel the same distances, use the same equipment, pack the same amount of food and observe the same NWL customs and traditions in basecamp and on trail. In terms of the ‘outer’ (physical) journey, there are no concessions for gender. In terms of the ‘inner’ (emotional) journey, the same, simple guidelines apply to every single participant: ‘show up, do your best, and speak your truth’.
Showing up, means living in the present and paying attention to what is important—the task at hand, the natural world, your personal wellbeing, and that of your trip mates.
Doing your best means understanding what needs to be done and doing it to the best of your ability.
Speaking your truth means connecting to (and presenting as) your authentic self and striving to communicate with your group (and individuals within it) honestly, openly and without judgment.
An experience at NWL puts everyone on equal footing, moving towards the same goal, following the same paths that inevitably lead to a deep connection to the natural world, empowerment, community, and perhaps most importantly, acceptance.
Despite the fluidity of gender in our world today, we still see the value in providing single gender experiences for adolescents as well as co-educational (all gender) experiences.
We believe that when young people identify with a single gender, experiences where they are in community with a diverse population of adolescents who also identify with that gender will broaden their perspective and understanding of what it means to be male or female in the world.
Our co-educational (all gender) program at Northwaters gives participants the opportunity to be in community with a diverse population of young people. Bringing adolescents together with varying backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and identities provides a more holistic perspective and understanding of what it means to be human in the world.
All of our programs cultivate sisterhood, brotherhood or fellowship through shared experiences (on trail and at home). They forge strong bonds, friendships, and support systems that can last a lifetime. They are unique opportunities to build a unique community among peers.
For most parents and caregivers, choosing a single gender or an all gender program for their child depends on age, availability, and preference. Our youngest participants (10-12 year-olds) begin in our single gender, 2-week programs. These programs are designed to be ‘first time away from home’ experiences with an emphasis on fun, comradery, skill building and learning to be comfortable in the outdoors. Participants joining us for the first time at ages 13 and up tend to choose a program that best meets their families scheduling needs and where their child feels most comfortable socially. Returning families/participants usually ‘stay the course’ in their original program/session of choice, but it’s not uncommon to switch between single gender and all gender programming. The end result of welcoming a glowing, empowered, story-filled, confident child home from camp is the same, regardless of the program they were enrolled in.
No matter what program your child attends, when they are given the opportunity to connect to their authentic selves, be seen, and find acceptance in a small, diverse community of peers, personal growth happens. The process and tools they used to find their place in that community can translate into finding their place as adults in the world at large. This is when empowered young leaders emerge—inspiring perspective and understanding in others and cultivating acceptance.
Jodi Browning
Owner/Director