Feel Good Friday - Latino Outdoors

June is National Great Outdoors Month, and there's no better time to celebrate Latino Outdoors, a Latine-led organization connecting comunidades to the beauty and healing of the natural world.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Oakland, California, the mission of Latino Outdoors is "inspiring and connecting comunidades to the outdoors, centering cultura, celebrating familia and heritage, and uplifting our history and leadership as part of the outdoor experience." The Latino community is one of the fastest-growing in the United States, yet remains underrepresented in conservation and outdoor spaces. Latino Outdoors works to change that, rooted in the belief that an ethic of conservation and a deep connection to the natural world have always been part of la cultura Latina.

LO's three programmatic pillars make that vision real. Vamos Outdoors is the heart of the organization, offering free hikes, picnics, bird walks, camping trips, and more through a national network of over 200 volunteer leaders. From first-timers to seasoned trail regulars, everyone is welcome. About 85% of outings include participants who attend together with family members, and nearly 80% include someone experiencing the activity for the first time. Yo Cuento Outdoors amplifies the voices and stories of community members, celebrating real lived experiences in nature through blog posts, films, and photography. And Crecemos Outdoors supports the next generation of outdoor leaders through training, mentorship, and access to a Jobs+ board  that has shared over 8,000 outdoor-related job, internship, fellowship, and scholarship opportunities since 2020.

The impact speaks for itself. Since launching outdoor programming in 2014, LO's volunteer network has delivered over 2,200 outings for more than 44,000 participants across more than 30 locations nationwide, with about half of that growth happening since 2024. One in four participants is a child or youth.

If you like what you learned, you can support Latino Outdoors in many ways. Join a free outing near you, make a donation, and amplify their message on social media. Follow Latino Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube and share their stories of community and connection with your network.

Happy Great Outdoors Month!

 

Feel Good Friday - The Venture Out Project

Not only is June LGBTQ+ Pride Month, it’s also summer and a perfect time to get out and explore nature. What a great day to learn about today’s organization, The Venture Out Project.

Founded in 2014 by Perry Cohen, and headquartered in Florence, Massachusetts, the mission of The Venture Out Project (TVOP) is “to provide a safe and fun space for queer, trans, and LGBTQ+ people to experience the outdoors.” They do this by leading backpacking and wilderness trips for the queer and transgender community, and by conducting transgender inclusion workshops for educators, adventure professionals, and summer camps.

You can sign up for overnight adventures like campouts, rafting or forest bathing or if you’d like to test the waters before bringing your tent, there are plenty of volunteer-led day hikes across the country and skill building workshops in New England. This 15-minute documentary produced by REI gives a great overview of the trips and how impactful it can be for people to show up as their full selves in community with others. Participants get to enjoy nature and forge lifelong bonds while making unforgettable memories.

In addition to leading these outdoor adventures, TVOP “offers educational programs and services to those looking to make their existing programming more inclusive and affirming of trans and gender diverse people.”  

Since they began, The Venture Out Project has become a nationally recognized nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ community building and challenge-based personal development outdoors. TVOP volunteers have led over 50 adventures for more than 500 LGBTQ+ participants from across the globe.  

If you’re interested in getting outdoors, take a look at the trip descriptions and sign up for one that fits your schedule and your interests. If you’re Wilderness First Aid certified, consider becoming a volunteer and leading a trip. Or, if you prefer to support TVOP from the comfort of home, there ways you can do that too. Shop for merch, make a donation and amplify their work on social media by following The Venture Out Project on Facebook and Instagram.

Feel Good Friday - Grand Canyon Association

Happy New Year!

I was fortunate enough to spend the new year in the Grand Canyon. It was my first trip to the park and there was much more to do and see than I had time for in just two days. If you're planning a trip and want to make the most of your time, I encourage you to check out today's Feel Good Friday
organization, the Grand Canyon Association.

The National Park Service only covers baseline support for operations of the park and so, enter the GCA. As explained on their website, "the Grand Canyon Association is the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, raising private funds to benefit Grand Canyon National Park, operating retail shops and visitor centers within the park, and providing premier guided educational classes, hikes, and tours about the natural and cultural history of the region."

This is a great resource to help you plan your visit. I wish I knew about them before I went! They have links to maps, lodging options and activities, including guided hikes with the GCA Field Institute.  They also host art exhibits, operate many of the visitor centers and bookstores and organize volunteer activities such as vegetation rehabilitation and wildfire management activities.

If you'd like to support the work of the GCA, you can make a donation or shop online for maps, books, videos, calendars, clothing and jewelry. You can also "Adopt a Lion" by making purchases that directly support wildlife research and monitoring of three mountain lions that roam the park. I'm glad to know they are there and glad I didn't see them in person!

As always, you can stay in the social media loop by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter @GrandCanyonAssn.