About The Cairn Project
What is The Cairn Project?
We turn adventure into advocacy.
The Cairn Project mobilizes women adventurers to fundraise, tell stories, and expand outdoor access for girls and women everywhere.
Through our volunteer Trailblazer program, storytelling initiatives, and community building, we’re making “More Girls Outside” a reality, one adventure at a time.
The Outdoor Gender Gap Is Real — And It Starts Early
Girls are 16% less likely to go outside for free play in preschool.
20% fewer young women ages 6-24 participate in outdoor activities.
By the age of 60, women are 35% less likely to do outdoor activities.
Despite all of the benefits of outdoor learning and adventure, girls and women continue to experience barriers to access and equal participation in outdoor pursuits. This trend starts as early as preschool and becomes more pronounced throughout adolescence and early adulthood.
We believe everyone belongs outside. And we’re doing something about it.
The Cairn Project Began with Two Friends, a Trail, and an Idea.
In 2016, Alison Wright and Sarah Castle were planning an 11-day thru-hike of California’s John Muir Trail: a 211-mile journey through the Sierra Nevada. But they wanted their adventure to do more than push their own limits. They wanted it to create opportunities for others.
So they turned their hike into a crowdfunding campaign. By the time they summited Mount Whitney, they’d raised $30,000 to support outdoor programs for girls across the US.
What started as one adventure has grown into a movement. Alison and Sarah built The Cairn Project to mobilize voluntees to join in on the “Get Out, Give Back” campaign.
We’ve grown from two friends on a trail to a team and community dedicated to expanding outdoor access for women and girls everywhere. And we’re just getting started.
Our Approach: Get Out, Give Back
The Cairn Project operates at the intersection of adventure, fundraising, and storytelling. Here’s how we work:
Trailblazers: Adventure-Driven Fundraising
Our flagship volunteer program mobilizes women to turn their outdoor adventures — from weekend trail runs to monthlong expeditions — into grassroots fundraisers.
We activate a powerful network of women who raise funds that support outdoor scholarships through our partner, the Summit Scholarship Foundation. These scholarships expand access for girls and women from all backgrounds to participate in transformative outdoor programs.
What makes a Trailblazer? You don’t need to be an elite athlete. You just need:
- A human-powered adventure you’re planning (hiking, paddling, cycling, climbing, skiing, you name it)
- The willingness to fundraise and share your story
- A belief that adventure can be a force for good
We provide:
- Fundraising training and campaign tools
- Storytelling coaching and content support
- A supportive community of fellow Trailblazers
- Recognition and visibility for your efforts
- Portfolio-building content you can use professionally
Ambassador applications are currently closed. Sign up for our email newsletter to hear when applications are open next.
Why Storytelling Matters As Much As Fundraising
Here’s what sets The Cairn Project apart: we believe storytelling is as transformative as fundraising.
When Trailblazers share why they adventure, what challenges they’ve overcome, and what the outdoors means to them, they’re not just raising money. They’re changing culture. They’re showing girls who haven’t seen themselves in outdoor media that they have a place on the trail, on the water, and in the mountains.
Your story matters. We equip you with the tools and confidence to tell it powerfully.
Our Past Grantees
Since 2016, we’ve raised over $300K in grant funding for community changemakers getting more girls and women outside. Here are programs we supported before our merger with the Summit Scholarship Foundation.
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Get Involved
01
Become a Trailblazer
Plan an adventure. Fundraise. Share your story. Make an impact.
02
Support a Campaign
Browse active Trailblazer campaigns and donate to the ones that inspire you.
03
Partner With Us
Outdoor brands and businesses: Let’s work together to expand access.