Camping to Connect, a mentorship program that uses outdoor recreation and nature immersion to address the diverse issues faced by young men of color, is happy to invite you to a Fall day hike experience!
On Saturday, November 5, we’ll embark on a hike that will allow us to explore and better understand our natural surroundings, strengthen observation skills, and help us see another part of the world right before our eyes. Fall colors are beautiful this time of year, and looking at the forest from the top of a mountain is an incredible experience.
Transportation and hiking boots will be provided. Camping to Connect offers this experience at no cost to participants.
Location & Schedule
Departure Time: 9am (Brooklyn)/ 9:30am (Harlem)
Meeting Location: In front of 68 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY and 215 W 114th St, Harlem, NY
Hike Location: Lake Skannatati Long Path, Harriman State Park, NY
Trail information
We will be hiking 4.9 miles of the Lake Skannatati Long Path to Lichen to Ramapo Dunderburg Loop at Harriman State Park, NY.
What to bring
2 Water bottles
Snacks
Fruit (banana or apples preferred)
Sandwich in a sealable bag
Backpack
Windbreaker, vest, fleece or lightweight jacket appropriate for the weather.
There are very limited spots available on a first come basis. Please register no later than 5pm, Thursday, November 3, 2022. Once registered, you will receive a calendar invite, emergency contact information, and more!
Staff information
This day hike will be led by David Lopez, and Jason Banrey.
We’re currently serving young men of color from New York City and Denver metropolitan areas, ages 12-18 yrs old. If you’re NOT a current Camping to Connect participant yet, please click the button below, and follow the steps provided to complete your enrollment.
Led by supportive adult men of color, students are taken out of their comfort zones to connect with each other and nature, and taught both outdoor and life skills that will positively impact their future. Our programming is designed to:
Build emotional self-awareness and confidence.
Offer students support and mentorship..
Promote effective communication, leadership, and group development skills.
Instruct students in basic outdoor skills such as trail navigation, bird watching, and more.
Teach participants about community values, teamwork, and personal responsibility.
Allow students to build a deep connection to the outdoors, and form brotherhood.
Learn more about Camping to Connect here, and watch the trailer for Wood Hood, a short film that offers a window into our program;
About Wood Hood:
DeVaughn is a 15-year-old kid from New York City who loves skateboarding and craves a “quiet place” to escape the chaos of his home, the city, and the kids that steal from him. The film follows DeVaughn on a weekend-long group camping trip with Camping to Connect.
One leader states, “these kinds of conversations are rare for men that look like us.” As the film weaves between the city and the woods, a place that is unfamiliar and historically inaccessible to these kids, we witness the joy and growth that is possible when kids have an opportunity to find that “quiet place.”