Women’s Adventure Club combines outdoor experiences with female empowerment and camaraderie

October 8, 2022 | 12:10 am

Updated October 8, 2022 | 12:10 am

Hannah Snyder considers herself an outdoor enthusiast, but she found that Owensboro lacked an outdoor community that wasn’t specific to hunting and fishing. In December 2021, she changed that by creating the Women’s Adventure Club.

The group currently has 375 members, and while Snyder didn’t expect people to join so quickly, she is excited about the friendships that are forming within the membership. 

“We’re just a bunch of women empowering other women,” she said.

Snyder created the group after joining other hiking groups in the area, where she said she didn’t feel safe. The Women’s Adventure Club is a members-only group, but a simple request to join the group and an agreement to follow the rules allows women to join and see the scheduled events. 

“The group events are only visible to members to help ensure everyone feels safe,” she said. 

Snyder said the group is not specific to Owensboro, but most members are from here. The group is open to surrounding areas and most of the events involve travel of four hours or less. Some of the events also allow children to participate. 

“However, members are welcome to schedule events anywhere,” she said.

Events are scheduled year-round as Snyder believes all seasons present beauty. While most events are held on weekends, there are occasional trips during the week. 

Most recently the group went cave spelunking. Snyder said as the membership grows, more diversity in the types of events is also gaining appeal, such as backpacking, climbing, camping, skiing, and mountain biking.

Club member Pat Fuqua said she found this group shortly after being widowed. She had always found healing in outdoor endeavors, but she felt she could use guidance. 

“This group welcomed me with open arms and I have gained friendships and knowledge and a new confidence for trying new adventures,” Fuqua said.

Earlene Preher said that since her family doesn’t enjoy hiking, the group gives here a chance to do something she enjoys.

Most of the women in the group say that joining the Women’s Adventure Club has allowed them to step out of their box and work on self-healing and self-care while bringing more people into their lives with like-minded activities.

“I have stepped out of my comfort zone and have been greatly rewarded with wonderful new friends and experiences for which I am truly grateful,” said Gail Collins McBride. “I am proud of myself for accomplishing the events I have attended, but also honored and humbled to know my family is proud of me as well. I have learned a great deal about the outdoors and am actually able to share this knowledge for new adventures with my own family. As a group, we not only share exciting and fun outdoor activities together, but we also support each other through our own personal challenges and accomplishments. I am thankful and blessed to know these wonderful ladies.”

Snyder said that while she is the only one who has scheduled the events thus far, it is open to everyone in the group and she encourages others to suggest trails or hobbies they might be nervous to try alone.

Annah Cecil is one of those members who found security in going with a group.

“My favorite event has been the wild cave adventure by far,” Cecil said. “I’m actually quite a chicken despite having adrenaline junkies as best friends. I was anxious and fearful the whole time because slippery rocks are a big fear of mine. I think the group aspect played a big part in my confidence on that event. It pushed me to go to a place I would never have gone on my own if it weren’t for the others also willing to dive into the unknown.”

Snyder looks forward to more adventures with the group and hopes it continues to grow.

“I hope this group will continue to flourish and increase substantially in size,” Snyder said. “The more members we have, the more event diversity there will be to choose from.”

If interested in joining, go to the Women’s Adventure Club of Owensboro and Surrounding Areas Facebook Page.

October 8, 2022 | 12:10 am

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