By Genevieve Barter

Off the Grid Girls is a society at University of Canberra (UC) that is geared towards women empowerment. It was founded by their president, Sophie, who discovered a love for the outdoors during her gap year and was looking for a group in Canberra that catered for her interests while creating meaningful women connections. The existing groups Sophie found on, and off campus were predominately male and centred around competition rather than maintaining friendships.

As well as Sophie, we talked with Vice President, Tia about the inspiration behind the club, how it was started, what their goals and aspirations were.

The club is founded on the values of ‘CARE’: connection, adventure, respect and empowerment. And the clubs name refers to ‘off the grid’, both socially and physically. As well as catering to members with plenty of outdoors experience, the club also welcomes girls who have never tried hiking, and those who may enjoy the outdoors but don’t know where to go.

“We want it to be something people can try and see of it works for them. By making it a female led group it makes it a lot easier for women who maybe haven’t got a lot of experience, it isn’t too scary.” Tia explained.

Sophie and Tia said one of the main reasons that people do not go do outdoor activities, is because they don’t have anyone to go with. This club aims to solve that problem for its members.

Sophie and Tia also commented that its important to be able to turn your phone off and disconnect from the world for a few hours every now and then. They said there was nothing like sitting on top of a mountain you climbed and just breathing and being present.

Sophie thought of university as the place you find your friends for life. So, when coming to UC, she was surprised at how hard it can be to make friends. Sophie wanted to make a club that not only does activities together, but really fosters enduring friendships. She feels that female friendships in particular are important, because as a woman, other women are the ones who understand you and your struggles.

Their goal is for all women to feel safe and empowered and give different activities a try. There are all ages that come to the events which encourages advice, and storytelling because the women are all at different moments in their lives.

Off the Grid Girls did a sunrise hike a little earlier this month, at Mount Painter. Leading up to the event, Sophie and Tia thought it would be rainy and cloudy, and that no one would show up. But when they arrived, they saw 15 girls were huddled and talking. This was a meaningful moment for Sophie and Tia. The consistent, strong participation in events has shown that setting up the club was worth the effort.

The club not only hosts outdoorsy activities, but are also planning a dinner movie night, where everyone can bring something to eat and then watch a movie. Social events like this will help to grow those meaningful relationships.

For people who are looking for a new hiking spot or do not know where to go for outdoor activities in Canberra, some recommendations from Off the Grid Girls are: One Tree Hill (a cute place in Hall), Shepherd’s lookout, and Tidbinbilla. Sophie and Tia reminded us that Canberra is one of those unique places that you can drive anywhere for 10 minutes and find yourself in a rural place. And making that effort can bring many benefits, including new perspective and an increased sense of fulfillment to your life.

“When you’re put in those really hard situations, it’s like well I’m alive and what can I do right now?... I feel like I take that perspective from outdoors whenever I get to my life and a lot of time now, I’m like, I’m alive, I’m okay.”

Follow their Instagram ‘offthegridgirlss’ for updates, or go to their rubric page if you want to become a member.

Society Spotlight: Off The Grid Girls

Society Spotlight: UC International Club (UCIC)