Black Women DO Camp – Experience Yosemite this Summer!
Women of Color Backpacking Trip – 30% off for all Outdoor Afros who sign up!
Last October, Oprah Winfrey visited Yosemite National Park and asked the question: why don’t more people of color experience the outdoors and their national parks? They have wondered the same at Balanced Rock. And when this disparity was pointed out to them in 2004, they led the country’s first Women of Color (WOC) backpacking trek in Yosemite—the trip was even highlighted in Backpacker Magazine.
The Women of Color backpack retreat in Yosemite has become one of their signature programs. They’ve continued to run backpack retreats led by and for women of color with generous support from REI, Dean Witter Foundation, and individual donors.
Participants have liked the course so much that they even hosted two Bay Area fundraisers to ensure that the programs continue to run! And because he likes the program, celebrity National Park Service ranger Shelton Johnson has joined their Board of Directors.
The WOC trips are designed for all levels of outdoor experience and include mind-body-spirit wellness components and empowering self-reflection practices. All courses include 2 expert instructors of color, most necessary gear, healthy whole-food meals, and friendship around the campfire. The next Women of Color Backpack Retreat is scheduled for August 10-14, 2011 with instructors Chelsea Griffie and Elizabeth Sy.
They continue to remain committed to connecting people from all walks of life to the outdoors and the spectacular Yosemite National Park. To that end, they are offering all Outdoor Afro readers 30% off any of their 3-, 4-, or 5-day backpack or weekend retreats during our 2011 season (Noah Mazé retreat and Yoga Jambalaya excluded). Use the coupon code “outdoorafro30” when you pay to receive your discount. Course sizes are limited so be sure to reserve soon. For a list of their 2011 courses, visit their course calendar.
Can’t attend yourself but you’d like to support someone else in experiencing this empowering connection to nature? Consider a tax-deductible donation to their Women of Color scholarship fund.
Balanced Rock is a Yosemite-based non-profit whose mission is to inspire people to live more meaningful, healthy, and sustainable lives through deep connection to nature, community and themselves. Visit www.balancedrock.org, email [email protected] or call (209)379-9453 for more information.