Let's empower young girls through nature

As the school year ends and summer begins, thousands of Long Island girls are facing the daily question: What do I do today?

While options abound, one thing we don’t want to see them doing is spending more time in front of screens and on social media.

Long Island is a paradise for outdoor activity: beaches, farms, parks, and culture. Our Island serves as an unparalleled classroom, with experiences and lessons gleaned from nature that shaped the foundational attributes of confidence, leadership, ability, and courage.

In nature, every girl starts on equal footing. When our Girl Scouts, for example, step outside, they enter a realm where conventional academic performance and social pressures take a backseat. Their confidence blooms as they chart individual success, no matter how small, which reinforces their self-belief. Climbing that daunting hill or successfully identifying wildlife transforms abstract goals into tangible achievements, proving to each girl that she is capable and resilient, reinforcing mental health.

The outdoors is also a perfect setting for cultivating leadership, learning to make decisions, delegating tasks, and collaborating effectively. These experiences are crucial in developing the ability to lead under pressure, adapt to changing circumstances, and inspire peers. In nature, where conditions can be unpredictable, young leaders learn to think on their feet, trust their instincts, and guide their teams with confidence.

Outdoor activities provide a practical arena for developing a wide array of skills. Whether it’s building shelters or understanding environmental stewardship, hands-on experiences translate into a broad sense of capability. Girls who engage in these activities discover passions and talents they might not have recognized in a traditional classroom setting. Skills they acquire are not just limited to survival or camping; they encompass problem-solving, critical thinking, and a profound understanding of the natural world.

Courage is perhaps the most transformative lesson the outdoors offers. It takes courage to step out of comfort zones, face new challenges, and embrace the unknown. For young girls, this might mean spending a night away from home, encountering wildlife, or navigating unfamiliar terrain. These experiences teach them to confront fears head-on and emerge stronger. The sense of accomplishment after facing such challenges reinforces their belief in their ability to tackle future obstacles with bravery and determination.

Being outdoors benefits physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Physical activity in nature enhances fitness and health, while the serene environment is a powerful antidote to stress and anxiety. Emotional resilience is built as girls face and overcome challenges, fostering a sense of inner strength and perseverance.

The outdoors is more than just a backdrop for activities — it is a critical element in nurturing well-rounded, empowered young women. Girls gain the confidence, leadership skills, practical abilities, and courage essential for being confident, capable leaders of tomorrow.

Embracing the outdoors — whether as a Girl Scout, a group of friends, or individually — is not just about appreciating the environment; it’s about fostering the innate potential within every girl, enabling her to rise to challenges and seize opportunities.

So head outside in these next precious weeks. Take your daughter for a hike, camp in a park, rent a surfboard. Visit a working farm to appreciate our agrarian roots. Or simply play a sport. Not only will it teach valuable lessons that fill our girls with confidence, it will also provide experiences that will last a lifetime.

Let’s get our girls outside this summer.

THIS GUEST ESSAY reflects the views of Tammy Severino, president and chief executive of the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County.