I spent my childhood near a wildlife refuge dedicated to geese, which also hosted our local Girl Scouts annually.

During my youth, I was not involved in scouting. It wasn't until later that I realized the stark differences between Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts were exactly as one would expect: focused on practical outdoor skills, camping trips, and similar activities. In contrast, although our local Girl Scouts visited the refuge, they primarily emphasized leadership skills, arts and crafts, and cooking, with minimal exposure to the outdoors. Their parents seemed to believe that girls shouldn't engage in the same activities as boys, and this belief was reflected in their choices.

This mirrors the stereotypes many of us grew up with.

Girls are expected to play with dolls, while boys build tree forts. Girls are seen as bakers, while boys go fishing. Although we can now recognize how outdated and absurd these notions are, studies indicate that girls still lag behind in outdoor experiences. This gap is not only evident in the skills they acquire but also in their acceptance within outdoor organizations, including those focused on conservation and environmental efforts, as well as in national parks.

This year, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) announced a rebranding to Scouting America, aiming to become more inclusive for girls than ever before in its long history. However, the Girl Scouts have been resistant to this change.

While the Girl Scouts will remain operational, there are valid concerns that girls and their families may opt for the newly revamped Scouting America, which has, in the past, seemed to align more with traditional homemaking than the spirit of scouting. This concern prompted the Girl Scouts to legally challenge the BSA's decision.

Does that seem exaggerated?

Consider that for a significant part of its history, the Girl Scouts awarded a Matron Homemaker merit badge. This badge recognized girls who mastered skills such as window washing, vacuuming, and polishing floors, and it was active from 1913 to 1918, continuing in a "Homemaker" form until the 1960s. There were even merit badges for Dairy Maid and Laundress during that time.

Interestingly, the Dairy Maid badge offered more than might be expected—it included lessons on testing milk samples and understanding cow reproductive health, providing valuable education in agriculture that many girls would not have encountered otherwise. This early exposure often sparked interests in fields like chemistry and veterinary science, leading to initiatives like the Animal Helper badge.

However, it's clear that these activities predominantly kept girls indoors, which is essential in understanding the broader issue.

According to a 2018 report from the Outdoor Foundation, only 20% of women actively engage in outdoor recreation by the age of 66, compared to 40% of men.

This discrepancy has fueled discussions about its origins, which may be linked to a 2012 study published in JAMA Pediatrics. Researchers found that preschool-aged girls were 16% less likely than boys to be taken outside to play, a trend that worsens as they grow older.

Around 59% of girls aged six to twelve are involved in outdoor activities, but this figure drops nearly 5% as they enter their teenage years. By age 26, participation continues to decline.

Interestingly, mothers tend to play a significant role in this dynamic, often more than fathers. While 82% of mothers express safety concerns about outdoor play, studies suggest that perceptions of neighborhood safety do not significantly influence whether children, regardless of gender, are allowed outside. Furthermore, the amount of screen time does not appear to affect their choices.

Instead, parental involvement is pivotal in determining whether children under 12 engage in outdoor play. Research indicates that girls and children of color are typically less likely to play outside in their early years compared to white boys.

This is crucial to recognize, especially in a climate where we are becoming increasingly aware of social media's detrimental effects on young girls' body image. Emerging evidence suggests that early outdoor experiences can enhance self-esteem, independence, teamwork, leadership skills, and body image among adolescent girls.

Shouldn't we advocate for these positive outcomes for our daughters?

To see them thrive, feel secure, and retain a sense of awe and respect for nature?

What about the idea that girls aren't suited for challenging outdoor pursuits like climbing Everest?

That's simply untrue.

Women have successfully summited Everest, yet before 2018, they comprised only 12% of the total 4,738 climbers to reach the peak. The first woman to conquer K2 did so in 1986, thirty-two years after its first summit by men.

While the gap has somewhat narrowed over time, it persists. As of 2017, only 19% of participants in national mountaineering qualifications in the U.K. were women.

Are you among that 19%?

If not, why? Is it because society suggests that you shouldn't enjoy the outdoors? Or perhaps you were never introduced to the idea that women can excel in outdoor sports?

Or maybe you were one of many girls who loved outdoor activities but were discouraged solely because of your gender?

When the U.S. National Park Service was established in 1916, it explicitly designated park ranger positions as "men's only." In 1967, a response to a woman's discrimination complaint highlighted a misguided perception that protecting girls from ranger duties was an act of concern. During that period, ranger uniforms were styled after flight attendant attire, informally dubbed "rangerettes."

Despite many ranger responsibilities involving law enforcement, women were not permitted to carry firearms or receive law enforcement training until 1971.

The Park Service still operates with a predominately male culture. A 2016 report by High Country News detailed decades of sexual harassment and gender bias within the agency. One survey indicated that more than half of women rangers and three-quarters of women in park policing had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, both from the public and colleagues.

Women have indeed achieved remarkable feats in outdoor exploration—members of the formerly male-dominated Explorers Club include many accomplished women. Jennifer Pharr Davis was named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year in 2012, and Heather Anderson holds records for unsupported hikes along both the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails.

Yet, the journey toward closing the gender gap in outdoor activities remains arduous.

In light of the COVID lockdowns, more women have begun engaging in natural sciences, conservation efforts, and outdoor sports, which is a positive development.

The leafy ceiling must come down sooner rather than later.

Perhaps one day, more young girls will understand that doing things "like a girl" is a compliment.

So, go ahead and embrace your adventures, just like a girl.