Parks and and outdoor lovers are a tight community. But a welcoming community. Finding groups that use parks and host activities that you may be interested in is a great way to explore. You get healthy activities and create community filled with laughter and fun.
I am constantly meeting people who are in or starting groups to go outdoors with like-minded people. Below is a list of the organizations I’m aware of, or that others have introduced me to. Check them out, and see if they may be a good fit for you and your adventures.
See you in the parks!
GirlTREK
- Mission: GirlTREK is a life-saving sisterhood. They are a campaign to heal intergenerational trauma, fight systemic racism and transform Black lives. As women organize walking teams, they also mobilize community members to support advocacy efforts and lead a Civil Rights-inspired health movement. GirlTREK’s membership is currently at over one million and growing every day.
LGBTQOutdoors
- Mission: Our mission is to empower the LGBTQIA+ community to connect with nature and each other by creating safe, inclusive outdoor spaces and fostering a love for the outdoors while breaking down stereotypes.
- Vision: At the heart of our mission is connecting the LGBTQIA+ community to the outdoors and to one another. We strive to create a national network of inclusive outdoor spaces and community-based chapters that foster environments of safety, connection, and belonging. By promoting and advocating for queer inclusion in the outdoor industry, we aim to increase representation and support, strengthening connections within our community and fostering a love for the outdoors.
Black Girls Hike
- About: Black Girls Hike highlights and presents black women and POC in nature through outdoor adventures. While diversifying outdoors and exposing/ reconnecting BIPOC with all that nature has to offer, we use the power of storytelling and experience to seek outside adventures in all areas of the world. We aim to create an inclusive community of outdoor enthusiasts that shares our love of travel, nature, and the outdoors.
Girls who hike Virginia
- Mission: To educate, connect, and empower women+ in Virginia to grow and heal their minds, bodies, and souls—both on the trail or off.
Kayak Black
- Kayak Black is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity in water sports by creating safe and welcoming spaces for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). Our mission is to break down systemic and social barriers that limit access to these experiences, ensuring that all individuals—regardless of background—can enjoy the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of being in, on, or near the water. Through our community driven programs and initiatives, we foster connection, empowerment, and environmental appreciation—one paddle at a time.
If you are an organization, or know of an organization, who specializes and bringing people together to spend time in the parks, please let me know on on the “contact me” page. I’ll add you to this list. Thanks!