In the meantime, we hope you are creating some fun summer memories of your own in the outdoors.

Can’t wait to share with you all the details and photos!

Have a great week,

Rue

Does this commercial inspire you to get outdoors? Tell me what you think!

Great job REI!

I had an amazing childhood, but did not know about a lot of opportunities that were available to me.

I met Karen last week at a local college event, and discovered we had some wonderful things in common, such as motherhood, blogging, and a passion for the outdoors. Karen shares with us how she discovered outdoor recreation, and what it means to her family today.

What experiences did you have as a youth that influence how you interact with natural spaces today?

As a kid, other than going to a local park to play, or playing in my own yard, I did not do a lot when it came to outdoor recreation. And as a young adult, my idea of working out was going to the local gym. Which is not a bad thing, but it can be limiting.

How did your relationship with the outdoors change as you grew older and why?

When I met my husband, he exposed me to a whole new world of outdoor recreation. We went hiking, skiing, swimming, camping, and saw amazing waterfalls and scenery on various trails. Our kids love these activities, and are now amazing soccer players that can out run me any day. They also really enjoy rock climbing at a local gym for kids and adults.

What are some favorite things you enjoy doing with your family?

Once a year, my family goes to Tahoe for long snow trip weekend. We go with a couple of friends and family. It is always such a blast! Lots of snow, sledding, food and fun.

What is on your bucket list?

I would really love taking a Zero-Gravity flight, where you can float like an astronaut  in space. That looks like a lot of fun!

Any final thoughts?

Yes! While growing up, I was not exposed to all the outdoor activities that are out there. I had an amazing childhood, but did not know about a lot of opportunities that were available to me. My kids have no idea how lucky they are to be able to do all the things they can do today. I never went on snow trips, stayed in cabins at Tahoe , went on hikes, or had a chance to experience rock climbing as a child. I think that people have to realize and be educated that it does not matter what race you are, or what culture you come from – any one can go out with family and friends and enjoy the out doors. It’s not just for one race of people or culture, anyone can enjoy it! Go skying, sky diving, swim with dolphins, go hiking in the mountains and look at amazing waterfalls. It is something that we can all enjoy and is more attainable than most people think.

Karen lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two daughters, ages 9 and 11.

“Green is Good for the Hood” was this year’s theme, which was intended to create local awareness and a response to environmental concerns at a neighborhood level.

The event started with a rally to highlight environmental and health issues in Oakland at Tassafaronga Recreation Center, followed by a parade with Scraper Bikers, drummers, and youth dancing. In the afternoon, there was a health fair, vendors, youth performances, basketball tournament, and more at ACORN Woodland Elementary.

It was a privilege for Outdoor Afro to connect directly with its targeted demographic of adults and children. KIND generously donated bars and the local Berkeley REI pitched in a display tent we filled with the bars and Outdoor Afro stickers — a real hit and ice breaker that got the kids talking about camping.

Most importantly, there were many breakthrough conversations at the table that helped parents, grandparents, and children imagine new ways to interact with their local outdoor spaces.

“I don’t like bugs!” was a frequent comment that opened up discussions about biking or bird watching as other recreational activities to engage with the outdoors with perhaps fewer crawling critters! And I was able to share information about some of my local program partners, such as Feather River Family Camp, and Golden Gate Audubon Society to plug families into affordable activities right in their own back yard.

Click to learn more about the fabulous work of  Communities for a Better Environment.

Happy Earth Week!

Whether it be a family camp, like Oakland’s Feather River Camp in Northern California, or Camp Atwater on the East Coast, there are many opportunities to connect with the outdoors that require you to act now as spaces are already filling up!

Check out this neat Family Camp PSA:

Also consider making reservations now for your favorite campsite for tent camping. For example, popular Samuel P. Taylor State Park’s reservation line is red-hot during the winter months that fill the camp solidly after Memorial Day weekend through early Fall.

So call your friends and family members now and organize your calendars to go camping this summer at your local state or national park!

Where will you go camping this year?

Not sure? Find a camp that’s right for you!: American Camp Association

Quite frankly, it began in the pages of a diary I wrote up when I was about 9,  and continued sporadically into other diaries over the years, until I became a young adult, where I discovered newsgroups, email lists, then finally blogs.

Here is the start of an entry that painstakingly detailed a Girl Scout camping trip at Hidden Villa Ranch, captured in vivid (albeit prepubescent) detail after arriving home:

I wrote, “It was so fun. It was the very first camping trip I ever had. When we first got there, we had a big argument over cabins and we finally got a cabin! I think our cabin was the livest [sic] one of all…”

The entry goes on to share about our various adventures on the trip, such as night time walks to gaze at stars, doing “capers”, the food, and the songs we sang. I remember it all vividly.

The six-page cursive-written entry ends with plain-text song lyrics from our trip and me lamenting , “wish I could go back for another night.”

What a difference camping makes in the life of a child.

What a difference it made for me.

Did you keep a journal or a diary as a child? What sparked your passion for the outdoors?

Watch and tell me what do you think.

After meeting up at the Breaking the Color Barrier Conference last September, Ken Stewart of the Tennessee Aquatic Project (TAP) and Jerry Bransford, a Mammoth Cave National Park guide, decided to join forces and send over sixty youth on a trek up to the Caves. The youth were able to hear first hand the intriguing story of Bransford’s slave ancestors who were important contributors to the cave site.

“African Americans played a vital role in the development of cave tour routes and the visitor experience throughout the 19th and early 20th century. The first black guides were slaves, and through their efforts opened up the golden age of cave exploration for Mammoth Cave” (NPS website) The TAP youth camped out the rest of the weekend, enjoying outdoor activities led by Stewart during the day, and joined by Jerry Bransford in the evenings to hear more about his family history at the caves.

Learn more:

Tennessee Aquatic Project

Black History at Mammoth Cave National Park:

Couples Camping © Steve Prezant/Corbis

You can’t change your friends and family, but you can change the way you camp with them. Some moderate planning can make a big difference in your camping experience together. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your camping trips with loved ones:

Shared Space
In some areas, the outdoors still has boundaries, and it’s important to honor both the environment and neighboring campers. If you are planning to visit a drive-up or RV campground, make sure you have reserved a site that can accommodate your entire group plus equipment, to avoid encroaching on neighboring sites. It’s also nice to offer neighbors a hand with tents or with getting a campfire lit. Good stewards leave no trace of trash, but leaving a bit of firewood for the next group in your spot is always a welcomed gesture.

Morning Oatmeal: Dudley Edmonsdon

Food
Plan your meals together at home and share the shopping tasks so there are no surprises. Meat eaters might eat vegetarian fare, but don’t expect your vegetarian friends and family members to eat the steak and bacon you brought, even if it is free range and hormone free! Decide on meal plans that accommodate everyone.

Marva and Daughter: Marva Cherry Flowers

Kids
If you have kids, and are planning to camp with folks without children, discuss logistics, such as the possibility of hands-on help with recreation or watching over little ones. If everyone is bringing little ones, get a watch routine together, so all the adults can plan for breaks in the action.

Music
If your camping mates are all persons of color, don’t assume folks want to hear Li’l Wayne on blast all weekend.   Bring acoustic instruments, like a hand drum or guitar that can be enjoyable and easy to play, even if you are not an expert. Singing or telling stories, while gathered around a campfire is classic, and timeless.

Booze/Drinks
Some drink, others don’t; some like Bud Light, others like Grey Goose. Discuss and get clear regarding alcohol consumption preferences, and know your campground policy on alcohol in advance (see Nancy’s comment below!).

Above all…just chill

Camping trips are a time to let go, and go with the flow. You might stay up ’til the wee hours to stargaze; your kids might eat a ton of s’mores, and all of you might laugh louder than you ever would at home after a long day at work. Enjoy it all! The best part of my own camping plan is to leave the city constraints behind and have fun!

What are some of your tips and experiences when camping with friends and family?

Chillin': Dudley Edmondson