Blackpackers aims to alleviate the financial pressures associated with outdoor education and adventure by offering free or subsidized outdoor activities to vulnerable communities. With Blackpackers, people of color and all others who are statistically underrepresented are able to enjoy outdoor experiences in multi-generational groups with little to no cost. Notably, our leadership reflects the community we serve.
The opportunity to experience the outdoors should be available to all. However the difference between a survival wage and living wage is most clear when examining the ability to spend funds on efforts beyond necessities–ie outdoor recreation. In the case of Black Americans, wealth has been systematically siphoned away, leading to an even greater wealth gap than before the modern Civil Rights movement.
Blackpackers is always in search of volunteer leaders for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or backpacking. Used/new gear donations are also extremely helpful and go to our gear locker!
Since the Civil Rights movement the median wealth of a black family has decreased by 75% while the median white household has seen a rise of 14%.
“Because of this group my love for the outdoors is real. It’s something special about a black woman leading a group of black people into (for me) uncharted territory. This is my favorite group ever!” — Yarkenda Payne
Phone: (719) 500-9919