PROGRAMS
Little CampOut
Little CampOut is a national invitation to connect with community right where you are.
Whether you’re setting up a tent in the backyard, building a blanket fort in the living room, or simply gathering under the stars, Little CampOut reminds us that connection to nature and each other can start at home.
Across the country, families and friends are invited to take part in a shared experience of imagination and storytelling, a tradition that has always been central to Black culture. From porch swings and kitchen tables to campfires and family reunions, our legacy of gathering to share stories has helped us pass down wisdom, preserve memory, and share laughter. Little CampOut carries that spirit forward, inviting folks to come together and reminding them that you don’t need a campground reservation, special equipment, or a long drive to participate. You only need a little space and a little creativity.
OUR FIRST EVER LITTLE CAMPOUT
Relive The Magic
On Saturday, August 1st, 2026, we brought the Big CampOut home with our very first Little Campout!
Folks chilled in their backyard, cozied up on the porch, built a blanket fort in the living room, gathered around a fire pit, and settled in to join Outdoor Afro community members from across the country for a live virtual campfire story time filled with tales that sparked laughter, legacy, and connection.
As Outdoor Afro continues to connect communities on a national level through experiences that are easy to attend and rooted in belonging, we are proving that meaningful nature-loving experiences can begin wherever you are.
Now it’s your turn.
Watch these unforgettable stories, then share them with someone who could use a reminder that they belong in nature too. Together, we can inspire more families, strengthen more communities, and invite more people into the amazing power and peace of the outdoors.
Andrea
Harriet Tubman, Force of Nature
Through poetry, memory, and the language of the natural world, Andrea honors Harriet Tubman as a true force of nature. Soil, seed, root, tree, and the North Star become part of a powerful reflection on courage, guidance, and the landscapes that carried freedom forward.
Bionca
My First Solo Camping Trip
Get ready for an unforgettable whirlwind story, complete with a leaky tent, a locked car, mysterious nighttime sounds, and a twist! Bionca’s story is a hilarious reminder that fear can turn even the smallest thing into a wilderness emergency.
Dannie
Backyard Oasis Tour
From childhood igloos to kayaking the Atlantic after 60, Dannie has always found adventure close at hand. In this backyard tour, he invites us into his own outdoor oasis, where a treehouse, fire pit, and a little imagination prove that nature connection can begin right at home.
Ugochi
Thea the Star & Beautiful
Inspired by a Nigerian lullaby, Ugochi shares the enchanting story of Thea, a girl learning to see beauty, friendship, and magic in a new way. This gentle fable reminds us that the light we seek often begins with the kindness we choose to offer.
Then, reading from her children’s book Beautiful, she shares a tender story about identity, belonging, and the power carried in a name. When young Ugochi’s name is mispronounced on her first day of school, she feels herself shrink until a new friend helps her remember the beauty, history, and purpose she carries.
Bernice
Girls Love Camping Too
Bernice brings us into the joy, humor, and imagination of childhood camping memories, from her sister’s wild outdoor adventures to her own first backyard campout. With microwave s’mores, big dreams, and a bucket in the tent, this story celebrates the truth that girls love camping too.
T. A. Barron
Mountain Gorilla Encounter (Pt I & II)
In this unforgettable encounter from his latest book, Naming Nature, T. A. Barron brings us into Rwanda where a family of mountain gorillas moves through bamboo, play, protection, and quiet trust. From the tender gaze of a young mother to the breathtaking weight of a silverback beside him, this story is about the magic of being allowed into the heart of nature.
Download the Outdoor Afro App to Join
To stay connected and join future Little CampOut experiences, download the Outdoor Afro app! It’s the easiest way to discover upcoming trips, community gatherings, and outdoor experiences near you from campouts and hikes to water activities and more.
Whether you’re joining from your backyard, your living room, a local park, or a trail close to home, the app helps you stay connected to Outdoor Afro wherever you are. Download the app today and be the first to know when the next Little CampOut begins.
Help Keep the Campfire Glowing
Do you share our vision? Make a gift today!
When you donate, you empower Outdoor Afro to keep creating welcoming outdoor experiences for Black families, individuals, and communities across the country where every donation supports more opportunities to gather, learn, and feel at home outside.
Are You a Brand?Partner With The Little CampOut!
We’re inviting mission aligned brands to join the Little CampOut through partnerships that get your brand in front of our nature enthusiasts.