Black Outside Inc. focuses on the (Re)Connecting of black youth to the outdoors. Denise had chance to speak with Executive Director, Camp Founder Girls, Angelica Holes and Founder of Charles Roundtree Bloom Project, Ki'Amber Thompson, about how they're doing just that!
For more information:
BlackOutside.org
IG: @BlackOutside_Inc
Charles Rondtree Bloom Project
CRBloomProject.org
IG: @CRBloomProject
Camp Founder Girls
CampFounderGirls.org
IG: @CampFounderGirls
Black Outside Inc.
Our Mission
With the knowledge that only 1% of Texas state park participants identify as Black/African-American, Black Outside, Inc was founded with the mission of expanding access, programming, and relevancy to both Black and Brown communities across Texas. We seek to not only diversify the outdoors but unleash a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts reflective of our country and state's beautiful diversity.
Our Values
Explore Self - We firmly believe that each young person has immense talents, abilities, and skills to contribute to their community and the greater world. Our outdoor programming serves as an opportunity to explore and enhance a student's strengths and social-emotional skill set in order for them to become even better leaders in their school and local community.
Explore Culture - We value the powerful history of people of color in the outdoors and ensure each outdoor opportunity honors the sacrifice and triumph of those before us. We intentionally craft culturally relevant programming that expands builds on this history and affirms the identity of our students.
Explore Outdoors - We love the outdoors and value it as a place of healing, inspiration, challenge, and fun. We ensure each exploration inspires a greater love for nature and its transformative power.
Camp Founder Girls -
In the summer of 2019, Black Outside, Inc proudly resurrected America's first summer overnight camp for black girls: Camp Founder Girls which began in San Antonio, TX. Today Camp Founder Girls carries on the proud legacy of Founder Girls past by providing an immersive week-long overnight camp centered on bravery, confidence, creativity, and strength.
Bloom Project aims to create a space of communal healing for youth impacted by incarceration by facilitating healing-centered outdoor experiences and culturally relevant environmental education that will help them envision new possibilities for their lives, for their communities, and for our world.