Ascend | Leadeship program

WHAT WE DO

From the 2-year leadership program to our outdoor education clubs, our work creates new opportunities, new leaders and promotes sustainable outdoor recreation.

Our leadership program

Each year, we recruit a new team of Afghan girls aged 15-24 to embark on a challenging two-year mountaineering program to become the next generation of leaders.

In Kabul, the team trains six days a week and conducts trauma resiliency sessions, team building activities, trip planning duties, and community service projects. The second year team mentors the first year team and alumnae stay connected with the program through outreach and employment opportunities, creating an Ascend network of accomplished and supportive women in Afghanistan.

Learn about the various modules of our two-year athletic based training program.

Leadership Development
Progressive fitness training helps to develop the physical and mental wellbeing of our athletes. The training emphasises the importance of self discipline and that if you keep putting one foot in front of another, you will get to where you want to go.
Instructor Training
From single pitch climbs to multi pitch mountain ascents, the girls take on bigger and bigger challenges as the program progresses. The gradual development of climbing skills is in direct comparison to their growth in personal courage and self- confidence.
Service
Learning practical skills such as navigation and camp craft is more than just survival. These skills teach our girls about independence, resilience and adaptability. It shows the girls that they can rely on themselves.

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