PERSONAL INVITATION FROM ORGANIZER ROD CORONADO:

When I moved to Vermont, I didn’t know anyone, let alone anyone from the BIPOC community. I was raised in California, where we fished and camped so as soon as I came to Vermont, I started exploring public wildlands and waters. In my journeys as both an outdoor recreationist and an advocate for Vermont’s wildlife and wildplaces, I’ve met a few BIPOC folks, but I know there are many more who enjoy connecting and recreating in our outdoors or would like to. This is an invitation to Vermont’s BIPOC community to an event offering outdoor education, hiking, camping, music and fun for all ages.

We are blessed to live on lands inhabited for centuries by generations of Abenaki, Mohawk and other indigenous groups. Traditionally, these lands were communal and used by many ethnic groups. Vermont’s forests, mountains, rivers, lakes and trails still provide a wealth of outdoor recreational and sustainable opportunities, and we invite you to learn more about connecting with our outdoors.

Outdoor recreation plays an essential role in the lives and livelihoods of Vermonters. Vermont depends upon its environment for the positive health and well-being outcomes of outdoor activity, as well as for the quality of life and economic activity that Vermonters associate with natural and working landscapes. While Vermont provides exceptional recreation opportunities, access is not consistently available and not all Vermonters are able to participate or feel safe doing so.

According to the state’s 2019 Vermont Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), public user survey respondents identified barriers that affect their ability to recreate such as a lack of time due to work and family obligations, time and distance required to recreate, and the expense of gas and equipment. SCORP also revealed shifts in statewide demographic trends pointing towards an older and more racially and ethnically diverse resident population. 

These trends emphasize the importance of an inclusive Vermont – one that removes barriers for marginalized groups to participate in outdoor recreation so that people of all ages and backgrounds may take part. Overcoming the obstacles and challenges for BIPOC residents to recreate outdoors is critical to creating a sustainable future for outdoor recreation that is inclusive, accessible, affordable and resilient. 

The mental and physical health benefits of being outdoors are widely documented. These benefits accrue whether sitting in a local park, fishing a streambank, or engaging in more physically active pursuits. Vermont residents participating in the SCORP survey identified other benefits of outdoor recreation as well, such as developing an appreciation for the natural world (a Land Ethic), spending high-quality time with family, and the satisfaction (and cost effectiveness) of harvesting one’s own food. 

Join us for a weekend of learning, sharing, and gathering in safe space to deepen our relationship with the land and our community.

MORE DETAILS:

Space for the event is limited – to ensure your spot, please submit the survey application below.

We are working to coordinate transportation for those in need. Please contact us if you need a ride, or have a seat in your vehicle to offer.

This is a family friendly, drug and alcohol free gathering. The event is unable to accommodate pets.

ACCESSIBILITY:

The event is held outdoors in a rural, rustic environmental center at 2000′ elevation. While we aim to make this event as accessible as possible, the location and terrain may create barriers. Please contact us directly so that we may support your participation in this experience.

BUILDING TOGETHER:

Please complete the survey below to express your interest in joining this event and help us create a meaningful collaborative experience. Share which activities you’d like to participate in, if you or someone you know has a skill to share, and how this event can best serve your needs. Whether it’s building a fire, catching a fish, foraging for edible and medicinal plants, or connecting with the land, we hope this gathering can empower you to enjoy all that Vermont’s outdoor landscape has to offer our BIPOC community.