Black Folks Camp Too (BFCT) has partnered with Spacious Skies Campgrounds, a fast-growing and culturally conscious collection of campgrounds in the eastern United States.
Spacious Skies is now the first Unity Blaze Certified campground, which confirms that all 14 of its private campgrounds and their management team are committed to “Treating Everyone, Everywhere, Equally” – the Unity Blaze motto. While Spacious Skies said it has always firmly held this belief, its leadership wanted to partner with BFCT to make sure all campground staff completed the Unity Blaze training program.
Unity Blaze training is a comprehensive education platform that illuminates “why” many Black folks are not accessing the great outdoors. Specifically, the generational fears and knowledge gaps of the outdoor lifestyle that Black folks and communities of color face and have experienced, as well as the overall lack of invitation.
“Certified Unity Blaze campgrounds understand the importance of cultural awareness in regard to creating and intentionally welcoming space for campers of all experiences and backgrounds,” said Earl B. Hunter, Jr., founder of Black Folks Camp Too. “We are proud of Spacious Skies for taking the lead to help build more unity in the outdoor community and beyond.”
“At Spacious Skies, our mission is to offer fun, relaxing and authentic campground experiences in beautiful natural settings. That mission was written with everyone in mind, regardless of one’s race, age or gender. However, we have recognized a distinct lack of diversity on our campgrounds,” said Ali Rasmussen, co-founder of Spacious Skies Campgrounds. “In meeting Black Folks Camp Too, they have helped us understand the reason why that is. We are proud to partner with BFCT so we can extend an intentional invitation to welcome Black campers and all campers of color to join the outdoor fun here in the Spacious Skies universe.”
“The real power of Unity Blaze Certification lies in its symbolism. When folks of all races, ages and genders see the Unity Blaze symbol they know they are invited and welcomed. To that end, Spacious Skies Campground will feature the Unity Blaze Certification on their website and other marketing literature — as well as onsite at all campgrounds.”
While Spacious Skies Campgrounds is the first campground collection to become Unity Blaze Certified, progress is underway with state parks and other campgrounds, as well. BFCT has already established the Unity Blaze symbol across the RV industry and outdoor retailer ecosystem, as part of an overall plan to inform communities that there is work being done in the industry to make sure everyone is sincerely and authentically welcomed to enjoy the outdoors.