I often hear students compare themselves to their peers. It sounds like, “I went so slow in Trailhead phase” or “Jesse is better at bow drilling than me. They’ve already busted a coal.” Or I hear something along the lines of “Harlow never asks for breaks on hikes, and he doesn’t have any issue carrying his pack.” To compare is to consider the similarities or differences between two things or people. However, we often … [Read more...]
Pronouns and Morning Circle
“Morning circle” occurs every morning as the group prepares to depart camp. It is an opportunity for each student to share the mindset and feelings they are carrying into the day. In the all gender group, taking a moment to share one’s preferred pronouns as part of morning circle is simple and profoundly affirming. Quick vocabulary recap: Gender identity is a person’s internal sense of gender and gender … [Read more...]
Gender Joys
Enjoy a few glimpses into moments in the all gender group at True North this week: A student and guide sit together, brainstorming potential middle names. The pharmacy sent the correct size syringe (1L !) for a student’s weekly testosterone shot. The numbers are easier to read, the needle is shorter, and the students' anxiety was visibly lower. A parent catches themself misgendering their son, and … [Read more...]
A Gender Inclusive Environment
As a trans nonbinary human and therapist of an all-gender adolescent group, I often spend my time thinking about the intersection of gender and wilderness therapy. I am eager to publish a series of thoughts and questions that arise in my work, and will start with gender affirming environments. How do we move beyond the gender binary? What does a space that accepts people of all genders look like and sound like? How … [Read more...]
