While I’m not ready to commit to the winter camping life, I’m interested in more outdoor adventures in the new year. So looking ahead to future excursions, there are some inspiring young people in our community making waves in the great outdoors. Two Utah organizations in particular, each founded by university students, are reclaiming outdoor recreation for people of color.
🏕 Camping in Color
What: Started by University of Utah grad students Sydney Murray and Hilary Lambert, Camping in Color is a program designed for Black youth and their families to reconnect with nature.
Why it’s important: Historically (and in present day), outdoor recreation has been a white-dominated space. The team at Camping in Color has cultivated an experience for families to engage and learn about the outdoors in a culturally representative environment.
🏕 R.E.C.CLAIM Utah
What: R.E.C.CLAIM Utah is a community collective that brings together QTBIWOC (queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, women of color) to find rest and joy in the outdoors. It started as a research project by Utah Valley University students Hannah Rowntree and Alex Ruiz.
Why it’s important: They recognized a disparity in Utah County and addressed that need through an intentional reclaiming of outdoor spaces for rest, education, and community.
Do you know cool people doing cool things in Salt Lake?
