Adventure Kids of Color

New year, new outdoors! Let’s make 2018 the year of breaking down barriers to access to the great outdoors for our children of color, starting by looking critically at the systems we’ve created and how we can shift them towards equity and justice. Who’s with me?? ______________ 📸 @teresabaker11 The outdoor and adventure community is overwhelmingly white. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to green spaces. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters 🌱💪🏾 . . . . . . #weoutchea #adventuregap #diversifyoutdoors #naturegram #hike #exploremore #optoutside #findyourpark #rei1440project #hikeitbaby #childrenofthewild #getoutside #adventuresquad #childreninthewild #ourwild #adventuretime #adventurekids #naturekids #nature #discovertheforest #outdoorafro #melaninbasecamp #forceofnature

Black women of Alabama said oh hellll naw. nope. uh uh. not today. that ain’t the future I want for my children. follow me, I’ll show you how it’s done. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Look at what happens when that kind of brilliance is given the chance to shine. Never been prouder to be a black woman y’all. 💪🏾 ___________ 📸: @hiking_every_available_trail via @ttad and I’ll follow this little leader anywhere. ____________ The outdoor and adventure community is overwhelmingly white. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to green spaces. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters 💪🏾🌱 . . . . . #weoutchea #adventuregap #diversifyoutdoors #naturegram #hike #exploremore #optoutside #findyourpark #rei1440project #hikeitbaby #childrenofthewild #getoutside #adventuresquad #childreninthewild #ourwild #adventuretime #adventurekids #naturekids #nature #discovertheforest #outdoorafro #melaninbasecamp #forceofnature

Happy first snow weekend, East Coast! Bundle up those babies and get them out for some exploring if you are able. While you’re there, look around you and think about who is outside and who is not, and why. I’m *really* why. Like, systemically - why? Then go have some hot cocoa cuz the little ones love it. Oh and take some photos and tags them #adventurekidsofcolor! 📸 by @playoutdoormom _____________ The outdoor and adventure community is overwhelmingly white. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to green spaces. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters . . . . . #weoutchea #adventuregap #diversifyoutdoors #naturegram #hike #exploremore #optoutside #findyourpark #rei1440project #hikeitbaby #childrenofthewild #getoutside #adventuresquad #childreninthewild #ourwild #adventuretime #adventurekids #naturekids #nature #discovertheforest #outdoorafro #melaninbasecamp #forceofnature

Here’s to all #adventurekidsofcolor reaching their highest peaks! Cutie patootie 📸 by @raisingkidswild. ___________ The outdoor and adventure community is overwhelmingly white. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to green spaces. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters 💪🏾🌱 . . . . . #weoutchea #adventuregap #diversifyoutdoors #naturegram #hike #exploremore #optoutside #findyourpark #rei1440project #hikeitbaby #childrenofthewild #getoutside #adventuresquad #childreninthewild #ourwild #adventuretime #adventurekids #naturekids #nature #discovertheforest #outdoorafro #melaninbasecamp #forceofnature

Yesterday I participated in the first day of a two-day training on restorative justice practices in schools. It was led by a white man, who credited three white men with inspiring his work, and who showed a video featuring all white children. Who is in need of justice in this country? Who deserves restoration? It’s our black and brown children, who are more likely than their white peers to be suspended and expelled, who attend racially segregated and underfunded schools, who are more likely to be incarcerated for the same offenses that others are not, and who suffer more poverty, trauma and harm due to the historic and systemic racism and oppression that affects their lives every single day. __________ I started to think about how we can use a restorative approach to solving inequities in all areas of our children’s lives. I think access to the healing benefits of time spent in nature is a good place to start - what do you think? What if access to the outdoors was seen as reparations of sorts? A way to heal previous harms? Is that a step towards justice? Either way, I’m kinda down for it. ____________ Beautiful capture by @greendubrecords 📸 ___________ The outdoor and adventure community is overwhelmingly white. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to green spaces. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters 💪🏾🌱 . . . . . #weoutchea #adventuregap #diversifyoutdoors #naturegram #hike #exploremore #optoutside #findyourpark #rei1440project #hikeitbaby #childrenofthewild #getoutside #adventuresquad #childreninthewild #ourwild #adventuretime #adventurekids #naturekids #nature #discovertheforest #outdoorafro #melaninbasecamp #forceofnature

“The wilderness is a part of who I am because it's one of the places I can go to reconnect with myself and Unci Maka. Growing up, my Tunkasila taught me the importance of respecting life and connecting with our ancestors by walking our paths with them in mind. Maintaining an outdoor lifestyle has impacted my life in so many ways, but now that I have a child it impacts who I am as a parent and how I want my child to grow. I want her to connect with and discover this world through its dusty trails and muddy rivers. It's important that our children grow up connected to the earth and where we come from.” #Repost @nativewomenswilderness __________ Children of color are disproportionately affected by barriers to access to experience nature and green spaces. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to explore their natural world. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters 💪🏾🍃 Photo by: @coloradophotoworks of @thebrunette_abeast_andthebabe (Cheyenne River Sioux)

What is the outrage about the government’s proposed rate hikes to National Parks really about? Folks are coming out the woodwork talking about how this plan will create inequity and make the parks inaccessible to some. News flash: they have always been inaccessible to millions of Americans, primarily low income people of color, for systemic reasons that continue to go ignored. Where is the outrage about that? Thanks to @melaninbasecamp for publishing my piece and helping to further this conversation. Outdoors industry, I’m officially calling you out. Do better. Link to full piece in bio! #adventurekidsofcolor #representationmatters

Someone is living her best adventure life! So much joy comes from from getting out into nature and challenging your limits. Love this capture from @noorjanan ❤️ __________ The outdoor and adventure community is overwhelmingly white. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to green spaces. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters 💪🏾🌱 . . . . . #weoutchea #adventuregap #diversifyoutdoors #naturegram #hike #exploremore #optoutside #findyourpark #rei1440project #hikeitbaby #childrenofthewild #getoutside #adventuresquad #childreninthewild #ourwild #adventuretime #adventurekids #naturekids #nature #discovertheforest #outdoorafro #melaninbasecamp #forceofnature @petzl_official

Thinking today about examples of media featuring children of color being themselves in nature. Arguably the earliest and most influential (and somewhat controversial) examples is “The Snowy Day,” published in 1962, which tells the story of Peter, a black boy in the city who goes out on an adventure in his own neighborhood on a snow day and discovers that it is a whole new world. For children of color, this was probably the first time a child that looked like them was featured in a popular children’s book, and it was and still is a lovely way to introduce little ones to the joy of adventure and show them that the outdoors is for black and brown kids too. _________ Unfortunately, children of color are still severely underrepresented in literature (less than 25% of children’s books feature children of color) and media involving exploring nature, (in order to sell “The Snowy Day,” it’s publisher originally tried to convince consumers that Peter was actually white!), and many classic and contemporary characters are problematic. What are some of the books you’ve read featuring children of color in nature? What stories have been most impactful for you or your children? We’ll continue this conversation as we lead up to the holidays as a way for folks to tap into resources for inspiring children of color to get outdoors and to highlight the need for equity in the media landscape, because #representationmatters. _____________ The outdoor and adventure community is overwhelmingly white. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to green spaces. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters 💪🏾🌱 . . . . . #weoutchea #adventuregap #diversifyoutdoors #naturegram #hike #exploremore #optoutside #findyourpark #rei1440project #hikeitbaby #childrenofthewild #getoutside #adventuresquad #childreninthewild #ourwild #adventuretime #adventurekids #naturekids #nature #discovertheforest #outdoorafro #melaninbasecamp #forceofnature #childrenandnaturenetwork #weneeddiversebooks @weneeddiversebooks @children_naturenetwork @childhoodunplugged

Creating access to the outdoors for children from historically oppressed populations is not as simple as offering all 4th graders a free pass to a National Park. The barriers to access that exist are systemic, and in order to solve them, we need to address each one individually and intentionally. . Today, I’ve been thinking about proximity to natural spaces. Middle and upper class (mostly white) communities in this country are often planned and developed with lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation in mind. Beautiful, clean, safe parks and streets are a selling point for an attractive neighborhood. . Conversely, many urban and low income neighborhoods lack green spaces altogether. Traveling to a park may require time and resources (access to a car or adequate public transportation) that families just don’t have. This inequity perpetuates the myth that spending time in the outdoors is a luxury reserved for the privileged and that children of color don’t “deserve” it. But we know that exploring the outdoors comes with tangible benefits, such as lower stress, lower rates of obesity, better physical and mental health, higher academic achievement and more. Are these not fundamental rights that all children should receive? . Lots of campaigns exist that encourage folks to explore more, find their park, discover their forest, etc. This message is moot (at best) and offensive (at worst) to those who live nowhere near an accessible green space and don’t have the means to travel to one. These campaigns ignore the many systemic barriers that keep people of color from being able to “find their park.” Proximity is just one. . How can we do better? Outdoor recreation is a multi billion dollar industry. Surely we can come together and think creatively about how we can create equity of access to the outdoors for those who are underserved. Y’all with me? . Photo credit: @dr.gneiss_guy . #adventurekidsofcolor

Thankful today for all of you, helping to change the media landscape around who belongs in the outdoors, breaking down barriers to help our children of color get out into nature, and most importantly, letting them be them. We see you, we appreciate you, and so do the kids. Have a lovely day, y’all 🍂🌾🍁 ___________ Thanks for sharing this beautiful shot, @babyandbearmiracles! 😍 ____________ The outdoor and adventure community is overwhelmingly white. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to green spaces. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters 💪🏾🌱 . . . . . #weoutchea #adventuregap #diversifyoutdoors #naturegram #hike #exploremore #optoutside #findyourpark #rei1440project #hikeitbaby #childrenofthewild #getoutside #adventuresquad #childreninthewild #ourwild #adventuretime #adventurekids #naturekids #nature #discovertheforest #outdoorafro #melaninbasecamp #forceofnature

I know she’s just drinking water but I like to believe that this little adventurer is actually sounding a secret call to her fellow black and brown #adventurekidsofcolor to join her in the wild. Sometimes I’m weird. _________ Thanks for sharing this awesome 📸 @playoutdoormom! ______________ The outdoor and adventure community is overwhelmingly white. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to green spaces. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters . . . . . #weoutchea #adventuregap #diversifyoutdoors #naturegram #hike #exploremore #optoutside #findyourpark #rei1440project #hikeitbaby #childrenofthewild #getoutside #adventuresquad #childreninthewild #ourwild #adventuretime #adventurekids #naturekids #nature #discovertheforest #outdoorafro #melaninbasecamp #forceofnature

Can’t be mad about Monday with all this #blackboyjoy in your life! 😍 _____________ #Repost @goulding_jr (@get_repost) ・・・ “For me, exploring the outdoors isn't about scenic vistas and landscape photos, the latest gear or iconic destinations. While I value those things (and don't knock anyone who takes that approach), they serve as context, a frame for the connection and development of people, the environment in which a young boy like Malik finds validation, support, and a role model, an arena where he is free to move and explore in unbridled joy.” _________ The outdoor and adventure community is overwhelmingly white. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to green spaces. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters 💪🏾🌱 . . . . . #weoutchea #adventuregap #diversifyoutdoors #naturegram #hike #exploremore #optoutside #findyourpark #rei1440project #hikeitbaby #childrenofthewild #getoutside #adventuresquad #childreninthewild #ourwild #outdoors #adventurekids #naturekids #nature #discovertheforest #outdoorafro #melaninbasecamp #forceofnature #outdoorssowhite #blackboyshike

Someone’s always gotta dab 😂 so many adventure kids of color in this shot, my heart is bursting! Thanks for doing this awesome work @naturally_chrisha. Although, it doesn’t look like it was too hard 😍 ____________ Repost from @naturally_chrisha - “My nature friends!! Our hiking group today was filled with lots of fun and discoveries! We saw a gopher snake, multiple quail, lizards, a dead frog, coyote scat, ghost rock (behind us!) and of course native flora! The kids loved how soft the sycamore leaves were and how yummy the white sage smelled ❤️. Future environmentalists here!! Always a fun time with @lagunacanyonfoundation education programs!” ________________ The outdoor and adventure community is overwhelmingly white. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to green spaces. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters 💪🏾🌱

Imagine a world where all children, regardless of race, class, language, ability, location, or any other determining factor, have unimpeded access to the outdoors and the myriad physical and emotional benefits it provides. I can, and it looks a lot like this. ___________ Incredible 📸 by adventure mom @alekamayr ___________ The outdoor industry and community is overwhelmingly white. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to the outdoors. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters 💪🏾🍃

It’s the weekend! Be like these beautiful #adventurekidsofcolor, get out into the woods and find a good rock to chill on. Oh and yes, despite what mainstream media would have you believe, #blackboyshike 💪🏾🌱 ____________ The outdoor industry and community is overwhelmingly white. Our children of color deserve to see kids who look like them in nature. They deserve better access to the outdoors. Help us change the media landscape! Tag #adventurekidsofcolor because #representationmatters 💪🏾🍃 ____________ Rock star kids and photo by @gaithergirl116 😍

It’s the weekend! Adventure time 💪🏾🍃🍂 Show us your nature! tag #adventurekidsofcolor