This paper discusses the use of outdoor education activities with adolescent at-risk girls. Many young women in this age group unconsciously adopt stereotypical female roles and perceive their identities in terms of their relationships to males. A women-only group provides space in which girls and young women can search for their identities, relate to other women without the pressures of a mixed-gender group, and explore issues particular to young women. The Leeds (England) local education agency sponsors such groups for girls at risk for substance abuse, nonattendance at school, or petty crime. A typical group contains 10 girls aged 14-15. The outdoor education activities pursued by the group have as their main objective the personal development acquired through participation, not just acquisition of skills. The presence of a confident and competent woman leader forces the group to question preconceived images about roles and abilities. Although groups vary in length, a minimum commitment of ten 2-hour sessions is recommended. A longer potential group lifespan increases the probability that significant learning will be achieved. The progression of the group must be measured by effective and continuous evaluation related to negotiated aims and learning outcomes. Negotiated aims are critical to the demonstration of positive change within individuals. The skill of the group facilitator determines the extent to which personal development and positive outcomes can be transferred to negative aspects of everyday life. (SV)