Sign up for information on our 2021 wilderness trips: for women, led by women!

As part of a startup organization (tentatively called NIFA or "Nature is For All"), we're developing a schedule of wilderness trips for the 2021 season in the northwest Michigan and Upper Peninsula regions. Trips will be open to those who identify as women with the aim to foster empowerment and connection while learning valuable wilderness survival skills.

This is for women of all ages from 18 to 80 (higher if you're up for it!) and women of all body types, skill levels, and abilities. We believe that finding a deep connection to nature shouldn't require expensive gear, an athletic background, or unnecessary suffering. No "death march" hiking trips here!

Trips may cost anywhere from $50–500, depending on the location and duration. Free/low cost rental gear and scholarships may be available. Don't let cost deter you!

Our trips will be 2-3 days for beginners and longer for advanced hikes. They will run from spring to fall (as COVID-19 allows) and be led by an experienced guide with Wilderness First Aid Certification and include detailed, one-one-one instruction as you hike through the woods navigating your route, carrying your own food, filtering your water, finding camp, making fires, and more. We'll hike throughout places in the northwest Michigan and Upper Peninsula regions like North Manitou Island, the Manistee River Trail/North Country Trail, Pictured Rocks, Porcupine Mountains, and more.

All group activities will take proper safety precautions concerning COVID-19 as the situation develops, and may include: socially distanced hiking/camping practices, mask wearing indoors or in transit, and more.

Our organization is working to ensure the "outdoors" doesn't leave anyone out. We're just getting started, but we envision future programs may include: wilderness trips for people in recovery or underprivileged youth, hiking groups for marginalized people, advocating for wheelchair pathways in natural areas, supporting urban green spaces in low income areas, promoting inclusivity and representation in the outdoor industry, and more.

Sign up below and we'll keep you posted as the schedule rolls out and information becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, email:

Maria Kinney
mariatherese444@gmail.com