The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources said it is partnering with Black Folks Camp Too to encourage participation and engagement with diverse communities through the department’s new Parks and Trails for Health (PATH) initiative. PATH combines physical activity in parks, greenways, and other outdoor spaces in North Carolina with educational opportunities.
Black Folks Camp Too describes itself as a marketing-driven business whose mission is to increase diversity in the outdoor industry by making it easier, more interesting and more fun for Black folks to become more involved in the camping lifestyle. BFCT said its goal is to “help remove fears, add knowledge and invite more Black families to build memories and strengthen family bonds by camping and spending time outdoors.”
“The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is excited to partner with Black Folks Camp Too to help launch our Parks and Trails for Health, or PATH, initiative,” said Secretary Reid Wilson. “Black Folks Camp Too will bring energy, creativity, and community engagement to our campaign to encourage ALL North Carolinians to get outdoors for healthy physical activity in parks, greenways, trails, and other outdoor spaces.”
Black Folks Camp Too was founded in 2019 by Earl B. Hunter, Jr.
“It’s just a fact – Black folks are not enjoying the life-giving benefits of spending time outside in nature,” Hunter said. “And outdoor brands have not found a successful way to engage with this valuable consumer. Yes, removing fear is part of the answer, but so is offering knowledge and simply extending more invitations. This is why we are so pumped to be partnering with the state of North Carolina’s DNCR PATH initiative.”
Positive changes are slowly beginning to take place in the outdoor industry. According to the 2019 North American Camping Report from Kampgrounds of America, the percentage of new campers from multicultural groups – 51 percent – outpaced the percentage of white campers at 49 percent.
