Blackpackers meets those at the intersection of economic vulnerability and underrepresentation. We seek to create economic equity in the outdoor industry through fully outfitted, curriculum-based, professionally guided outdoor recreation and education at low or no cost to our participants.
While there are many barriers to entry in the outdoors; however, Blackpackers has chosen to focus our efforts on barriers related to underrepresentation via the wealth gap. Outdoor recreation representation is an intersectional issue with overall wealth being one of the mitigating factors in participation. By providing the financial investment, Blackpackers aims to create equitable access to outdoor recreation.
This year, Blackpackers has started the first of our professional outdoor leadership courses. We hope to raise funding to continue to develop this curriculum and provide a professional certificate to participants interested in careers in the outdoor industry.
In a recent Outdoor Foundation survey, 29 percent of respondents listed cost as one of their biggest barriers to getting outside.
“I am grateful for this opportunity as I couldn’t see myself affording to hit the slopes or know where to camp without BPs. CO is expensive so finding a program as such makes things a little less stressful and fun for the family.” — Shawnda J.
Phone: (719) 500-9919