Oconee County

Ascend: Hiking and Healing in Oconee County

By Liz Johnson, Oconee County PRT

Oconee County PRT is excited to begin a new program called Ascend, a hiking group for survivors of domestic violence. The restorative and therapeutic effects of nature are well documented, and the goal of this program will be to facilitate an uplifting experience in the wilderness where women can feel comfortable being themselves and find joy and healing. This program will consist of six rangerled hikes in the spring and fall. The locations chosen will be throughout Oconee County and showcase the natural beauty we are so privileged to be able to experience. The exact locations of the hikes will be determined by the group that forms, but the outings will progress in terms of difficulty, giving participants the opportunity to build fitness, skills, and confidence in a supportive environment. Finally, the program will culminate in an overnight backpacking trip. There is no cost to participants and loaner gear will be available for those who need it. We do not want a lack of gear to create an impediment for any who wish to participate. Oconee PRT will be partnering with Safe Harbor on this project to provide support and help locate participants who would benefit from such a program. Safe Harbor will be leading our rangers and any volunteers in domestic violence awareness training to properly equip us not just for the hiking-related needs of participants, but also so that we can be supportive of their journey. Due to the unique safety concerns our participants may be facing, we will take extra precautions to protect their identities and locations. For example, the specific meeting locations and times will not appear on flyers, but rather sent to participants directly. We hope that this program will give these survivors of domestic violence the chance to connect with others with shared experiences and form bonds through the challenges of wilderness recreation. Through these guided hikes, we will help our participants build confidence and competence in wilderness activities while benefiting from the restorative effects of time spent in nature.

We hope that this program will give these survivors of domestic violence the chance to connect with others with shared experiences and form bonds through the challenges of wilderness recreation.