The Confident Explorer

Women's Safety Workshop

~From local trails to international travel~

Presented by Wandering Wild and Edgy Gazelle

Adventure should feel empowering, not intimidating.

Whether you're hiking your favorite trail, planning your first solo trip, or traveling across the world, confidence starts with preparation. Join us for an engaging, hands-on workshop designed to help women build the knowledge, awareness, and practical skills to explore with greater confidence, both outdoors and around the world.

The evening begins with trail safety and outdoor preparedness led by Amy Long, founder of Wandering Wild, NY State Licensed Guide and Wilderness First Responder. Amy has guided women on adventures throughout North America and is passionate about helping women gain the skills and confidence to safely enjoy the outdoors. You'll learn the Ten Essentials for every hike, how to prepare for emergencies, navigate unexpected situations, and make informed decisions before and during your adventures.

After a short break with wine and light refreshments, you'll transition into an interactive travel and personal safety workshop led by RJ, founder of Edgy Gazelle, a retired Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service. Over a distinguished 21-year career, RJ protected U.S. ambassadors, diplomats, and senior officials in more than 30 countries across five continents. She led embassy crisis management teams through civil unrest, coups, natural disasters, and emergency evacuations, conducted global threat assessments, and trained law enforcement officers, U.S. Marines, and Foreign Service personnel around the world.

Drawing on decades of experience navigating complex international environments, as well as her training in psychological first aid and trauma-informed support, RJ will share practical, real-world strategies to help women travel with greater confidence. You'll learn how to strengthen your situational awareness, recognize and assess potential threats, make confident decisions under pressure, understand cultural considerations when traveling abroad, and develop simple, effective personal safety skills that can help you feel empowered wherever your adventures take you.

During this session, you'll learn how to:

Reinforce your situational awareness and trust your intuition.
Read subtle environmental and behavioral cues that may indicate elevated risk.
Ground fear in practical, informed decision-making.
Navigate unfamiliar destinations with greater confidence.
Prepare for international travel, including understanding cultural expectations, local customs, and destination-specific safety considerations.
Learn how and when to use official travel advisories, register with your embassy or consulate, and prepare for emergencies abroad.
Practice verbal assertiveness and simple personal safety strategies designed for real-life situations.
Explore everyday items and practical tools that can support your personal safety while traveling.

Every participant will also receive:

✔ Premium Ten Essentials Trail Kit (over $80 value)

✔ Personal safety tool from The Edgy Gazelle

✔ Wine & light refreshments

Why This Workshop Is Different

This isn't about living in fear.

It's about replacing uncertainty with preparation.

By combining professional wilderness education with decades of federal law enforcement and international travel experience, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn practical skills from two women who have built careers around helping others safely explore the world.

Whether your next adventure is a local hiking trail, a national park, or an international destination, you'll leave with greater confidence, practical knowledge, and the tools to explore more boldly.

Workshop Details

Date: September 18th, 2026

Time: 6:00 pm-9:00 pm

Location: Criminal Justice Training Center 2476 Elmwood Ave, Kenmore, NY 14217

You'll Leave With...

The confidence to hike smarter.

The confidence to travel farther.

The confidence to trust yourself wherever adventure takes you.

Dawne Hoeg Executive Director, Stitch Buffalo

RJ, the Edgy Gazelle, has been an incredible support in helping Stitch Buffalo navigate the best path forward for the safety and security of our new facility. RJ combines hardcore compassion with intense physical security scrutiny to provide the best solutions for human safety. She is thorough and patient when exploring options that best suit the organization and the people in it. Stitch Buffalo now has a comprehensive plan of action to ensure safety for all in and around our new facility. We are thrilled to have a final written report to help guide our efforts forward. RJ is invested in both your organization’s success, as well as the success and security of the Buffalo community.

Lisa Booz, Executive Director Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western NY

Rhonda (RJ) at the Edgy Gazelle is user-friendly and an absolute pleasure to work with. From the onset, RJ invested significant time learning our campus, our mission and our goals. She helped pinpoint our priorities and walked us step by step through our security upgrades. She delivered easily digestible, real-world solutions to mitigate our risks. A recent real-world security issue validated and reinforced her recommendations. Thanks to RJ’s thorough assessment, approachable nature and follow through, the Ronald McDonald House of Western New York is well on our way to a well-rounded, fully adopted security plan.

Meredith L Kaiser, Immediate Past President, New York Women In Law Enforcement

RJ spoke at our annual conference and shared valuable information in her presentation, “Are You Prepared for a Crisis?” Her expertise enabled attendees personally and professionally better prepare for a crisis. On behalf of our Board of Directors, I would like to personally thank RJ for sharing her knowledge and positive attitude with our membership.

Kore Norman

I went on the July 2025 Canadian Rockies trip and it was incredible. Amy had everything running smooth and easy. Not only did I end up part of an amazing group of women but having the little things taken care of was SO nice. Amy and her team made it so I was able to just relax and see the sights. It was clear from the first moments that she was well organized, knowledgeable, and connected well with local guides who had a bunch of experience. I am so glad that I was able to go on this trip and even more grateful that I had to do zero percent of what seemed like a LOT of prep. I have, and will continue to, recommend Wandering Wild to any women that seem like they have even a hint of interest in travel or the outdoors.

Hannah Congdon

I ventured to Algonquin with Wandering Wild and cannot recommend the experience with them enough! Amy & Jen were so friendly, knowledgeable, and easy. They took care of all the coordination/meals which made it easy peasy! Can't wait to go on more adventures with them!

Danielle Novak

just finished my first trip with Amy at Wandering Wild in Alberta, Canada. From Airports to hotels to hostels it was an amazing trip. Her passion for travel, adventure and nature will have you embracing the experience just as she described in the itinerary. Go ahead….. book your first trip, step out of your comfort zone and embrace the challenge of doing something different. I’m so thankful that I did. Thank you, Amy for showing me the most breathtaking views that Banff has to offer!