Outdoor Afro HQ

Head over to the bio link and sign up for our monthly news + notifications. Celebrating now 15 years as an organization, we have so many updates, milestones, and collaborative opportunities to share. See you there! 📷 @klementovich #OutdoorAfro #BlackJoy #kayaking #kayak #paddle #paddling #community #fun #recreation #education #conservation #outdoor #adventure

Us right before, during, and after an #OutdoorAfro network activity with new friends. Our volunteer leaders host some incredible community events to reconnect you to local land, water, and wildlife. More about our Volunteer Leader Program is in the bio link. @bethaniehinesphotography #OutdoorAfro #BlackJoy #community #fun #joy #recreation #education #conservation #outdoor #leaders #nature #leadership

Have you joined our monthly network activities happening across U.S. communities this summer yet? Don't miss out. Outdoor Afro volunteer leaders offer events like nature journaling, foraging, fishing, kayaking, and biking. Click our bio link to explore networks near you. @bethaniehinesphotography #OutdoorAfro #BlackJoy #nature #fun #community #recreation #education #conservation #outdoor #stories

SAVE THE DATE: You’re invited! A big year for us, our 10th annual Glamp Out will celebrate our 15th year as an organization that was founded in 2009 by @ruemapp . This year’s fundraising gala will recognize all the years we’ve been able to accomplish our mission work because of your generous support. Glamp Out brings together the nation’s most influential leaders, cultural champions, and elected officials to this greatly anticipated occasion that uplifts our collective love of the outdoors and community. Click the bio link for event details to our Oakland celebration. #OutdoorAfro #GlampOut #community #nature #fundraiser #gala

One week ago today, we held our "World's Largest Swimming Lesson" with swim provider @blackpeoplewillswim_ in New York. Watch Black joy highlights from this first-ever collaboration. We're getting closer to reaching our goal of now 1,500 new swimmers by the end of 2024. 📹 @klementovich #OutdoorAfro #MakingWaves #BlackPeopleWillSwim #BPWS #swim #swimming #pool #pools #wellness #safety #community #recreation

SPLASH REPORT: So far, we've funded up to 421 kids + caregivers to learn how to swim through our Making Waves program. Our now 2024 goal: 1,500 new swimmers by the end of 2024. Giving $200 from our bio link can cover a series of four to six lessons. @klementovich #OutdoorAfro #MakingWaves #BlackJoy #water #swim #swimming #pool #pools #watersport #watersports #education #recreation #fun #safety #community

Natural reactions when we've reconnected at our monthly network activities taking place across the United States. You're always welcome to join us. Click the bio link to discover networks in your region. @bethaniehinesphotography #OutdoorAfro #BlackJoy #nature #recreation #outdoor #education #conservation #adventure #family #friends #community #health #wellness

Which way did your Outdoor Afro network go in nature this weekend? Our selected and trained volunteer leaders like Mardi Fuller pictured here guide amazing monthly activities in their U.S. neighborhoods. If you're into backpacking trips, click the bio link to learn what she brings for extra camping comfort. 📷 @bethaniehinesphotography #OutdoorAfro #BlackJoy #backpacking #summer #camping #leaders #nature #leadership #community #adventure #recreation #conservation #education #OutdoorAfroInc #REI

We're winding down the week with gratitude. Outdoor Afro thanks everyone who participated in our Juneteenth 2024 "Freedom to Access Water" commemoration in your local communities June 19. Followed by the official launch of our annual Making Waves program June 20. We appreciate swim provider @blackpeoplewillswim_ for guiding our first-ever "World's Largest Swimming Lesson" in New York. We're closer to achieving our goal of teaching now 1,500 new swimmers this life-saving ability by the end of this year. "Our son, Thaddeus, had a bad experience when he was first learning to swim," said father Damian Benons. "We decided to come to Making Waves and try to get him back into it. He really liked it." More poolside stories in our bio link. 📝 by NY Outdoor Afro volunteer leader Herb Brooks 📷 by Joe Klementovich #OutdoorAfro #MakingWaves #BlackPeopleWillSwim #BPWS #swim #swimming #pool #pools #wellness #safety #recreation

"We want Making Waves program participants to come here and have an introduction to what swimming is all about," said Milendra Bass, deck supervisor with Outdoor Afro's swim partner @blackpeoplewillswim_ in New York. "It's about fundamentals and fun. Being active and also consistent." Bass joined the World's Largest Swimming Lesson on June 20 to help equip kids + caregivers with this life-saving skill. More in our bio link. 📝 by NY Outdoor Afro volunteer leader Herb Brooks 📷 by Joe Klementovich #OutdoorAfro #MakingWaves #BlackPeopleWillSwim #BPWS #swim #swimming #pool #pools #wellness #safety

Today is our "World's Largest Swimming Lesson" with swim partner @blackpeoplewillswim_ (BPWS) in New York. Click our bio link to learn how many new swimmers we're aiming to teach this life-saving skill to during Outdoor Afro's Making Waves program. "A coworker showed me a BPWS video, and for me, it was the safety," said Jeanelle Benons of Long Island. "I was impressed to see them showing what to do if your boat is in trouble and how to swim off. I knew how to swim, but I didn't know what to do in these types of emergencies." Benons and her husband, Damian, signed up their kids, Thaddeus, 9, and Matthew, 12, to join the day's rotating swim lessons. 📝 by NY Outdoor Afro volunteer leader Herb Brooks 📷 by Joe Klementovich #OutdoorAfro #MakingWaves #BlackPeopleWillSwim #BPWS #swim #swimming #pool #pools

We're reflecting on freedom today at those extra special waterways that bring us joy in nature. Share where you're spending 2.5 hours to commemorate Juneteenth. Click our bio link for additional ways to get involved online right now. #OutdoorAfro #Juneteenth #freedom #BlackJoy #nature #water #wellness #outdoors #healing #health