Mentoring the next generation of trailgoers ✊🥾 Nearly 3 in 4 people of color in the US live in places where access to nature is lacking. That's why this #BlackHistoryMonth (and every month), we're proud to partner with our friends @campingtoconnect , an organization that's empowering young men of color to lead, grow, and inspire through the power of nature.
Head to our stories to learn more about Camping to Connect!
We’re beyond excited to share that our Camping to Connect program was recently featured on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt!
Camping to Connect, a youth program under the Young Masterminds Initiative nonprofit organization, was born out of a need to provide safe spaces where young men can clear their minds and build meaningful relationships; to be nurtured by nature; to transcend stereotypes and redefine what’s possible.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to our incredible team, participants, sponsors, donors, and community partners. This wouldn’t be possible without you!
Catch the feature and see how we’re making an impact. Visit campingtoconnect.org to learn more and find out how you can join us in transforming lives through the power of nature.
Let’s keep building this movement together!
#campingtoconnect
We log outside to connect with nature, our community and inner-selves! 🌿 @campingtoconnect x @vasquefootwear is a match made in all trails! 🥾⛰️⛺️
Camping to Connect has been serving youth from underserved communities in NYC since 2018, and since 2022 in Colorado. This amazing program that uses relatable mentorship and restorative practices to serve young men of color is offered at no cost to participants. Please visit campingtoconnect.org to learn more about this amazing program.
Shout to the students from @robertfsmithsteamacademy in Denver, CO (featured here) for their amazing attitude and curiosity to explore the mountains, and talk about their fears, hopes and dreams.
Camping to Connect’s work in Colorado is powered by the @coparkswildlife Outdoor Equity Grant 🫎
📹 @onthego.media@rossbernards 🙏🏾
#hike #hiking #camp #camping #nature #outside
Last weekend the brothers of @campingtoconnect and I traveled to the beautiful woods of Harriman State Park to kick off our 2026 season.
In order to be better volunteers to mentor our black and brown boys we have to strengthen our bonds and procedural practices. The level of commitment and vulnerability exercised by these selfless men inspired and touched me deeply.
📸 @mrwilliamellis
#SpreadGoodWill
#campingtoconnect
#nature #campin #blackmenhike
Outdoor Leadership + Social Emotional Learning + Brotherhood = @campingtoconnect training weekend
Ready to serve our youth and help them grow out of social isolation by using the healing power of nature and peer mentorship!
#campingtoconnect #alltrails #camping #hiking
Last weekend, our Camping to Connect team in NYC led a training for our new class of volunteers, which includes some former participants. We are excited to implement our special curriculum that combines outdoor leadership with social emotional learning. This initiative aims to address social isolation and foster a sense of belonging and community.
We are thrilled to have recruited our own “Santa,” bringing decades of experience in teaching youth outdoor skills and offer invaluable wisdom to our team.
📸 @mrwilliamellis
#campingtoconnect
#NYC #Denver #LosAngeles
We recently went #campingtoconnect with our brothers at @blackmenhikela in the Southern California desert as we began to make inroads into a @campingtoconnect pilot in Los Angeles ⛺️ It was an incredible experience as we got to build together, strategizing on our official launch later this Summer ✊🏾 If you’re a man of color living in Southern California and interested in volunteering as a mentor with us, or an institution working with young men of color, please visit campingtoconnect.org to learn more about us and send us a note.
🎥🎬 @brandon.a.denson
#losangeles #blackmenhike #camping #hiking
Working together toward belonging on the trails 🤝🥾🏔️
With the help of our partners at @alltrails we were able to better empower the next generation to explore and enjoy the outdoors.
Check out the AllTrails 2025 Impact Report through the link in their bio to learn more about our work together and their contributions to the community through award funds to outdoor nonprofits, free resources for trail managers, and initiatives toward community empowerment. #alltrails #campingtoconnect #nature #weoutside
2025 is a wrap for @campingtoconnect ⛺️ Despite a challenging year for many nonprofits, we delivered real impact: leading 25+ hikes and camping trips across New York and Colorado, expanding into backpacking and fly-fishing, and hosting honest conversations with teens around mental wellness and future pathways.
Our advocacy reached wider audiences, too; from a curated panel at @sxsw to a feature on @menshealth and a research study with @themix.global , our award-winning short film Wood Hood continued to find new viewers. A huge thanks to our volunteers, partners, funders and individual donors who make this all possible.
Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited explore a pilot in Los Angeles expansion with support from the @adamslegacyfoundation and local community partners, and to launch a new bike-packing program in Colorado through a new partnership with @specialized@outride
Thank you for being part of this journey. 🌲✨
#CampingToConnect #camping #hiking #healing
We talk a lot about growth.
We don’t talk enough about where we’re starting from.
If you have want to take the Men’s Health Index Survey, comment below and we’ll send you a link.
It’s not a test. It’s confidential. Complete the survey and we’ll send you your personal score and an ebook with helpful resources. Let’s go!
#thelivesofmen #mentalhealth #personalgrowth #mastermindconnect #campingtoconnect
Still holding the gratitude from this moment 🤎
We’re deeply thankful for the opportunity to gather community and corporate partners in a shared space of care, rest, and healing through the Hidden Healing Fund event we recently hosted. Creating space like this is why Hidden Healers exists.
Thank you to Hidden Healing Fund for trusting us to steward this experience, and to our generous partners for showing up with intention and care. Deep appreciation as well to @tobehosted for bringing this vision to life with so much thoughtfulness.
We’re also grateful to our co-host Manny Almonte, @1mannyc from @campingtoconnect and @jason__rosario for joining us in holding space, and to @rebeccakelly_g for guiding us through a truly beautiful sound healing journey that grounded us all.
These moments remind us what’s possible when healing is collective.
✨ Learn more about the Hidden Healing Fund at HiddenHealingFund.org
🌱 Or reach out to Hidden Healers if you’d like to support or build with us
📸 @bycestlazee
Venue: @sommwhere
#HiddenHealers #HiddenHealingFund #HealingInCommunity
