Each year our Summit Sisters program teaches a cadre of women how to backpack. But that is only the beginning. Learning how to backpack is just the vehicle for the camaraderie, the bonding, the empowerment, and the building of community that takes place as we tackle challenges together.
Over the past 5 years, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of watching 40-some women learn how strong they are, form lasting friendships, and leave the class both literally and figuratively walking taller.
This is the power of sisterhood: women watching women do hard and good things, supporting each other in doing hard and good things, thus empowering us to do more hard and good things.
It’s for this reason we founded the Summit Sisters Alumnae Association for women who have completed the Summit Sisters backpacking course. And on July 26, 2025, we inducted this year’s class members, the Badass Bougie Backpackers, into the Alumnae association.
We gathered at the home of one of our members to swim, eat too much delicious food, catch up with each other, and to celebrate the addition of 13 new members. We reflected on our values, shared meaningful moments from each class’s experiences, and shed a tear or two. But, as always when we are together, fun and laughter bubbled over before, during, and after the event. We have so much fun!
Check out this slide show of the Summit Sisters class of 2025 – the Bad*ss Bougie Backpackers, to get a sense of how awesome they are!
