The Dreamland Safari Tours Women’s Adventure Award
For a quarter of a century, we here at Dreamland Safari Tours have been guiding guests through Utah’s slot canyons and sweeping desert landscapes. When Paul and Sunny took the reins as Dreamland’s third owners, they brought a deep love for the backcountry and a commitment to making adventure more welcoming for everyone. The Women’s Adventure Award—now entering its sixth year—is one expression of that commitment: a chance to celebrate women who inspire others and to remove barriers that still keep many from the trail.
Why We Celebrate Women in the Outdoors
If you love the outdoors (and if you’re here, chances are you do!) you already know that time outside promotes better health and builds resilience. But did you also know that studies show outdoor time is linked to reduced cancer risk, longer sleep and even increased life expectancy? In addition, adventure also fosters leadership skills and personal fulfillment. Yet opportunities to reap these benefits are not equal across men and women: girls are 16 percent less likely than boys to be taken outside for free play in preschool, young women participate in outdoor activities at much lower rates, and by age 60 women are 35 percent less likely than men to recreate outdoors.
At Dreamland we believe that when women find their place outdoors, the entire community benefits. That’s why we partner with AWExpeditions to host women-only backpacking trips, and it’s why we started the Women’s Adventure Award.
Diverse groups drive better collaboration and problem‑solving, and seeing women lead in adventure inspires the next generation. The Women’s Adventure Award exists to build community, provide mentorship, and showcase the stories of women who belong outside.
The 2026 Women’s Adventure Award
The sixth edition of the Women’s Adventure Award will take place from February 27 through March 1, 2026, shortly before International Women’s Day. Five recipients will join Dreamland’s all‑female guide team for a long weekend of exploration and connection.
Each award is valued at over $750 and includes:
Guided backcountry adventure: A full day hiking through remote slot canyons and mesas.
Lodging & meals: Two nights of comfortable accommodations and nourishing meals.
Welcome dinner & reflection circles: Opportunities to meet our guides, connect with fellow awardees and share stories.
VIP Best Friends visit: A private tour of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and lunch with one of its founders
The Women’s Adventure Award is intended to create a platform for women to connect with one another and enjoy adventures that they otherwise might not have the chance to participate in. Recipients of the women’s adventure award love the outdoors, have a sense of adventure, are advocates for female participation and leadership in their community, and inspire others.
You can apply for yourself, or nominate a family member / friend.
All ages are welcome. Participants should be prepared to hike a minimum of five miles and up to eight miles across varied terrain that may include deep sand, steep ascents, and potentially some gentle scrambling.
Applications & nominations for Dreamland’s 2026 Women’s Adventure Award closed on December 27, 2025.
Recipients are announced in early January.
Who the Womens’ Adventure Award is for:
When reviewing applications and nominations, the selection committee looks for women who…
… have a spark for adventure – enthusiasm for exploring the outdoors and embracing new challenges
… uplift others – demonstrate a habit of encouraging friends, students, family or community members.
- … care about community – have an interest in “payingit forward” by mentoring, organizing outings or simply telling their story
We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, ages and life stages. Strong submissions include a brief statement about why this is the right moment for the nominee and how she impacts her community. Participants should be prepared to hike a minimum of five miles and up to eight miles across varied terrain that may include deep sand, steep ascents, and potentially some gentle scrambling.
Impact & Alumnae
Past recipients
2025: Melody Belnap, Cindy Calmese, Catherine Glad, Carla Monson, Allison Young
2024: Diana Hamilton, Kimberly Burgess, Kristyn Burr, Lan Ma, Laureen Quick
2023: Ashley Bubnick, Cathy Troyano, Rachel Bremer, Susan Mitchell and TeddiJo Marie
2022: Jackie Seidman, Leah Rudnicki, Sally Starling, and Sheri Seburg
2021: Misha Regouski
Jackie’s Journey
Since 2021, our many awardees have formed enduring friendships and launched new projects. One standout is Jackie Seidman. Nominated after losing her mother, Jackie joined us in 2022 and rediscovered herself through the support of fellow participants. Inspired, she founded Lehigh Valley Women of Adventure, a community that organizes walking, hiking, backpacking, snow and water adventures. The group’s mission is to promote women’s sense of self‑worth, their ability to make their own choices and their right to influence social change. In less than a year the group grew to more than 2,500 members; today, the group is a 501(c)3 non-profit with more than 6,000 members. Jackie credits the Dreamland Women’s Adventure Award weekend with sparking the idea.
Jackie shared her story on the See Her Outside Podcast, a series produced by The Cairn Project that amplifies women’s adventure stories and explores how time outside builds self‑trust and resilience. In her episode she discusses growing a 6,000‑member hiking community and why women‑only spaces matter.
Listen to the story of Jackie and the Lehigh Valley Women of Adventure on See Her Outside: Stories from Women Who Adventure.
“I was honored for so many reasons to have been chosen to participate in the 2022 Dreamland Safari Women’s Adventure Weekend! Dreamland’s challenging but rewarding hiking adventure provided me the opportunity to rediscover myself in addition to fostering an almost instant bond among the women chosen for this amazing and empowering opportunity.”
– Jackie Seidman
Other Women’s Initiatives We Support
Dreamland’s commitment to gender equity doesn’t stop with our own programs. Co‑owner Sunny Stroeer spearheads The Cairn Project, which raises funds to provide scholarships that get girls and young women outside. One of its initiatives, the Grit Lit Book Club, delivers a quarterly box with a book by or about women adventurers along with treats like coffee or chocolate; proceeds support outdoor scholarships.
Sunny also founded the Summit Scholarship, which offers mountaineering and backcountry scholarships to women and girls. These scholarships make big mountain and backcountry expeditions accessible to those who might otherwise be left behind. We invite you to explore these programs and consider getting involved.
Thanks to the local Kanab businesses supporting the Dreamland Safari Tours Women’s Adventure Award!
