Stories from Our Community
Hear from families who have found belonging, healing, and transformation in nature
Featured Stories
"The Most Restorative Sleep I've Had in Years"
I grew up in Alabama, in a city made famous for turning fire hoses on women and children and bombing churches leading to the death of children at worship. I have had family members who were lynched and the photos were sent to us and rest in our family photo albums. So...I have always been afraid of what people are capable of doing if no one is looking. The thought of sleeping, resting in a place without a locked door seemed impossible.
In the past, I have not felt welcome or safe in National Parks for the above reasons. Outdoorithm has changed that for me and my family. During our first trip, we slept in the tent & I went to sleep to the sound of the ocean. It was the most restorative sleep I have had in years. I was so excited to return.
Now, as I see my daughter climbing trees + running free through the camp with no shoes, I see a child with no fear, only joy. This is the dream each generation has had for their children.
Thank you for this gift.
– Valencia
"Changing the Narrative"
There are very few times as a Black man that I feel comfortable in the woods. The times I have felt that have been amongst family and friends and alongside Outdoorithm.
Being able to feel safe camping changes the narrative that being in the woods is not something "that Black people do." I look forward to doing this more frequently.
– Carl
"Room for Both Sadness and Joy"
Last weekend, my cousin passed away after a tough battle with breast cancer. He was only 30, a husband and a dad, and it's been heartbreaking. The grief and guilt has been a lot. I've been showing up for my family, cooking meals, checking in with friends but it's all felt really heavy.
This camping trip came at the right time. It gave me a chance to breathe, to let go a little. I spent time connecting with my kiddos, watched the sunset with my husband, watched the kids run around, and was able to just be there. Somehow, there was room for both the sadness and the joy.
And in that space, something shifted. My grief still exists, but it feels a bit lighter and softened by memories of the beach day, campfire chats with my dear friend, cheering on the tree climbers, and singing along to Demon Slayer.
I'm heading back to everyday life with those moments tucked in my pocket. They helped so much, and I'm holding onto that.
– Aftan
"A Community That Shows Up"
Walking to the beach baby and tent and bag and chair in hand it didn't take long for a group member to see me, immediately drop what they were doing relaxing on the beach and offer to help.
Many moments of new friends offering to help meant a lot to me and made camping a joy for me. Solo parenting can be challenging, but I can't thank the group and teens enough for their kindness.
– Trudy
More from Our Community
"I appreciate Outdoorithm because they exposed me to nature in a way that has changed my life. Without Outdoorithm, I would never have experienced the amazing outdoors the way that I do now."
– Malcolm
"To experience Blackness in nature is affirming. We are as varied as the trees in the forest. Each holding a story in our roots."
– Charmaine
"What I've learned from Outdoorithm is that this is a community that will never fail me."
– Joy
"Our family would never have attempted camping with our kids if it weren't for these organized Outdoorithm trips. Our kids call it glamping because of the luxury tents, high quality food, lights, warm fire, and even an outdoor movie theater."
– Anonymous Family
"Camping with Outdoorithm was fun, easy, and very meaningful. Sally and Justin's care and appreciation for the great outdoors will inspire even the most inexperienced campers to make this a more regular practice."
– Maab
"Spending time with the Outdoorithm community this weekend was a marvelous experience connecting with old and new friends, reconnecting with nature, and finding restoration of mind and body."
– Karibu
"I forget how much good it does me to go out to nature. I get stressed and try to destress using tech or distracting myself. I was reminded that spending time in nature has this way of erasing so much stress."
– Noe
"I loved the feeling of being amongst truly kindhearted people. An environment with hearts that share true kindness makes for a safe and comfortable space."
– Shea
"This experience has inspired me to go deeper into community with others and to lean into and grow from the challenges that arise from doing life with others both in nature and in our day to day lives."
– Michelle
"I think that Outdoorithm is so amazing. They build community in the outdoors and remind everyone how important being together in nature is."
– Siena
"Outdoorithm helped me learn to be more creative and to use my imagination, especially in a world where everyone is stuck up in their phones. Learning to connect to the land and your surroundings."
– Young Camper
"Outdoorithm helps families get outdoors. On these group camping trips, we form a community, where the kids are all having fun, playing together, and parents are talking. Connecting everyone to nature and the outdoors."
– Jaelyn
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