What is the Outdoor Project
The Outdoor Project (ODP) is an initiative by Women of Color Remake Wellness, with the aim of fostering connections and providing safe and inclusive outdoor experiences for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community, particularly women. Our mission is to promote diversity and inclusivity in outdoor activities, creating a space where BIPOC, LGBTQ2+, and individuals from diverse backgrounds can come together to enjoy nature and introduce others to the serenity of outdoor adventures.
Through the ODP, we aspire to achieve the following objectives:
Inclusivity and Community: We seek to connect BIPOC women who share a passion for outdoor activities, allowing them to form a supportive and welcoming community.
Recruitment: We aim to encourage and recruit individuals who may not have previously experienced the joys of spending time in nature with friends.
Safety and Encouragement: Our primary goal is to create an environment where BIPOC women feel safe and empowered to embrace the outdoors.
Nature-Based Programming: To fulfill our mission, the ODP offers a range of nature-based programming. These programs are designed to provide equitable access to outdoor experiences and include activities such as group outdoor hiking events, camping trips, and retreats.
Through these initiatives, we hope to empower BIPOC women to explore the beauty of the outdoors, foster connections, and create lasting memories in a safe and inclusive environment. The ODP is committed to making outdoor accessible to all, breaking down barriers, and building a community where everyone can thrive.
Why the Outdoor Project?
Nature is often proclaimed as being for everyone, but systemic, racial, and socioeconomic barriers have created inequalities in accessing the outdoors. Racism in outdoor spaces is a prevalent issue, even when it seems free of societal influences. While nature may be impartial, the negative experiences faced by the BIPOC community in these environments must be acknowledged and addressed.
The lack of diversity in the outdoors is an undeniable reality, as highlighted in a July 2020 CBC article by Andrea Ross titled "Outdoor Recreation Facing Its Own Reckoning With Diversity and Inclusion." Despite people of color being active outdoor enthusiasts, they remain underrepresented in outdoor brands and marketing initiatives. This longstanding racial divide is evident in major outdoor company websites, perpetuating the belief that outdoor spaces are traditionally white-owned and operated, which can be intimidating for people of color.
Public spaces have undergone significant whitewashing over the past century. Barriers to minority enjoyment of public lands include the cost of outdoor recreational activities, which can be prohibitive for the BIPOC community. High expenses for gear needed for activities like hiking, biking, climbing, and camping create financial obstacles. These financial disparities contribute to the underrepresentation of people of color in outdoor spaces.
In discussions about diversity in the outdoors, inclusivity and representation should take center stage. Inclusivity fosters a welcoming and safe environment where individuals feel comfortable, leading to increased participation and interaction. Representation empowers individuals to engage with outdoor spaces fully and derive enjoyment from them.
Through the Outdoor project we hope to equip Black, Indigenous, Women of Colour with the tools, resources and experiences they need to collectively heal in nature.
What We Offer.