MORE BLACK & BROWN OUTDOOR LEADERS
We are committed to creating a more diverse outdoors. We want to see more Black and Brown outdoor leaders! To further our goal of a more diverse outdoors, we decided to assist Black and Brown folks with obtaining their New York State Hiking Guide License.
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In September 2021, we held our first "NYS Hiking Guide License" contest. We will guide the winner through the application process and cover all of the expenses associated with obtaining their hiking guide license, including test and required first aid and safety courses. One generous donor sponsored a second winner and we were able to choose TWO contestants.
If you are interested in becoming a NYS Licensed Hiking Guide stay tuned for the next contest in November for your chance to have your test & required courses paid.
The two winners are loyal Hood Hikers who have joined us on many adventures. Below are their winning entries!
CONGRATULATIONS!
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Jenna aka The Hood Hippie
They call me the Hood Hippie but I’m a brown girl who found her balance amongst the trees while navigating the concrete jungle. I have served our communities for over 18 years in the form of social services, in all sectors of youth and adolescent development. I am looking to expand the impact I have as a resource to my community and beyond.
Hiking is a passion of mine that allows me to regroup, ground and reconnect , mentally, physically, & spiritually. In these auspicious times it is necessary that these tools and resources are shared, and becoming a hiking guide will allow me to connect my community safely and responsibly. I am ready to extend my knowledge and resources outside of social work to the larger tribe, because what good is information with no one to share?
Jenna aka The Hood Hippie
Leo
Leo
As a Black queer human, I find the trail and nature to be a place of healing as there is no race or gender hierarchies, no capitalism: only the space to stretch out onto the Earth and be. I’m interested in the space of somatic in Black liberation praxis and I believe being outside and receiving medicine from nature informs and perpetuates my theory: Spending time sitting with my body on trails helps me to make sense of myself, to see clearly, to see the function of nature, as we attempt to live full lives here in the west, as a guide to all our liberations. Nature is already doing what we are striving to do. In that way, it is a prophet. I hope to collaborate with other humans to facilitate more space for Queer + Black people to experience the medicine of the trails.