Jessica Spooner - Thesis Defence
TRAIL MAGIC: THE IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN’S HIKING GROUPS AND THE WAYS THAT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS CAN SUPPORT THEIR DEVELOPMENT
Master of Community Development Candidate: Jessica Spooner
27 October 2025
9:30 AM Atlantic
Hybrid Defence
Fountain Commons Alumni Boardroom
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Meeting ID: 225 227 116 016 8
Passcode: AD7Bw6BM
Thesis Committee:
Dr. Alan Warner, Supervisor
Dr. Jackie Oncescu, UNB, External Examiner
Dr. Katie Mazer, Internal Examiner
Dr. Marianne Clark, Chair of the defence
Abstract
This study examines the role of women-only hiking groups in promoting personal empowerment, social wellbeing, and connection to nature, while also identifying key barriers to their development and accessibility. Employing a qualitative methodology, twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with hiking group leaders, participants, and outdoor recreation professionals across Canada. Findings reveal that these groups provide significant personal benefits, including enhanced emotional safety, improved mental and physical health, and strengthened relationships with the natural environment. Women-only hiking groups also emerge as spaces of resistance—challenging gendered expectations and mitigating social isolation. However, their growth and sustainability are limited by structural challenges such as inconsistent funding and restrictive policy frameworks. These groups represent vital community-based initiatives that empower women and disrupt prevailing societal norms, underscoring the need for targeted support and recognition.
About Jessica…
Jessica L. Spooner is a graduate student in Community Development at Acadia University and recipient of the 2023/2024 SSHRC – CGS M award. Her research explores the benefits and barriers to participation in women-only hiking groups, building on over 15 years of experience guiding women in the outdoors. She developed a program for women in vulnerable situations that was featured in Outdoor Learning in Canada (eCampusOntario/Pressbooks, 2024). Jessica holds a Diploma in both Business and in Tourism & Travel, a BA in Sociology and Anthropology, and a certificate from the Gros Morne Institute of Sustainable Tourism. As the founder of Rewild Wellness, she creates retreats that blend adventure, cultural experience, and personal growth. Based in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, she can often be found hiking in the forest or cycling its rolling hills.