Sophie Davis: Behind Outdoor Adventure Girls

This week in the Meander Magazine, we're chatting to explorer and entrepreneur Sophie Davis all about her female-led community, Outdoor Adventure Girls. What started as a small group of women looking for a sense of adventure in the everyday life, has grown into a nationwide community of over 100,000 women leading regional and international adventures. Keep reading to discover more about this special community, the benefits of spending time outdoors, and why groups like this are essential for everyday wellbeing. 

Before Outdoor Adventure Girls I was working in marketing and like a lot of people, I was trying to figure things out while feeling quite disconnected from myself and what I actually wanted. The outdoors had always been something I loved, but I didn’t really have a consistent way to access it or people to go with. After going through a really difficult personal experience, I realised how much of a difference it made when I did get outside and how isolating it felt not having a community around me. That was really the starting point for OAG.

Honestly, no. It started as a very small idea just to connect a few women together for walks. I knew there was a need for it, but I don’t think I ever fully understood how many women were feeling the same way. The scale of it now still feels quite surreal sometimes, but in a really grounding way because it shows how needed a community like this is. And selfishly, it began because it was something I needed. It was only later I realised other women needed it too.

I think it comes down to connection and safety. A lot of women want to get outdoors, travel and try new things but don’t always feel confident doing it alone or don’t have the right people around them. Outdoor Adventure Girls gives them an easy way in. There’s no pressure, no expectation, just a really supportive group of women who are all there for similar reasons.

For me it’s one of the most immediate ways to reset your mind. It takes you out of your head and back into your body. Fresh air, movement and nature do something really powerful to your nervous system. It doesn’t fix everything, but it gives you space to breathe again and that’s often the starting point for feeling better.

It’s so hard to choose but some of the UK weekends really stick with me. There’s something really special about seeing women arrive not knowing anyone and leave with friendships, confidence and sometimes even a completely different sense of themselves. Those moments on trips where everything just clicks and you can feel the group energy shift are always the ones that stay with me. One of my favorites is our Surf Retreat in Cornwall, as we have the most beautiful venue on the coast, with views of the ocean, and women who have never stepped foot on a surf board get involved, and support each other. 

Nearly all of our trips are magical, as it’s amazing to watch strangers become friends within hours. On many of our trips we get women who were really nervous and quiet at the start, but by the end of the trip they were leading conversations, planning future hikes together and just completely in their element. Watching that transformation in such a short space of time is really powerful.

There are so many but I’d love to do more in places like Japan and learn more about their culture. But also anywhere with dramatic landscapes where you really feel small in the best way. I also love the idea of expanding into more remote, wild places that really challenge people in a safe and supported way.

It’s probably the most important part. The hike or the activity is just the backdrop. The real purpose is connection, with yourself, with other women and with the environment you’re in. I want people to leave feeling like they’ve experienced something meaningful, not just completed a route.

It’s always the messages from women afterwards. People tell me they’ve gone on to travel solo, made lifelong friends or felt confident enough to make big life changes. Those moments are far more meaningful than any number or milestone.

Anywhere coastal really. I love being by the sea, walking without a plan and just switching off. Somewhere like the coast in Cornwall or the south coast is my ideal reset.

I’d say just start small. You don’t need to be the most experienced or the most confident. Most people come alone and feel nervous at first and that’s completely normal. The whole point of Outdoor Adventure Girls is that you’re not doing it alone, you’re stepping into a community that supports you as you go.

Right now it’s about continuing to grow Outdoor Adventure Girls internationally and creating more opportunities for women to experience the outdoors in different ways. Personally, I want to keep pushing myself into new environments too. More wild places, more challenges and continuing to build something that feels really meaningful and impactful.

A huge thank you to Sophie from Outdoor Adventure Girls for taking the time to chat with us! If you'd like to get involved or check out any upcoming trips, head to the group's website here. You can also keep up with Sophie and her travels via her Instagram. All imagery credits go to Outdoor Adventure Girls.