Welcome to a special in-between-isode of Guides Gone Wild - I'm going to get right to the chase with this one for a change!
This Saturday, June 24th, is Summits in Solidarity's annual Solidarity Day fundraiser, which is designed to get everyone outside to celebrate and support BIPOC in outdoor spaces.
One of the recipients of this year's Summits in Solidarity fundraiser is the Boston chapter of Latino Outdoors, an organization dedicated to fostering connection with nature that is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. And today I've got the pleasure of speaking with Cyntya Uriegas, one of the volunteer leaders for Boston chapter - she's going to tell us a bit about herself, Latino Outdoors, and why this partnership with Summits in Solidarity is an exciting opportunity to build on the momentum this great group has generated in just a few short years in the Boston area.
I hope you'll follow Latino Outdoors Boston on Instagram and at their Eventbrite link, and don't forget about Solidarity Day, head on over to Summits in Solidarity.org to donate and sign up for a hike!
It's not too late to adopt a peak of your own, or tag on to one of the hikes and peaks that have already been claimed by another ally (or learn more and plan to do a fundraising hike of your own another day, just because it's not officially Solidarity Day doesn't mean you can't still stand in solidarity, right??)
Let's help Summits in Solidarity reach the top of all of the 4000 footers in New Hampshire, AND their $35K fundraising goal!
Welcome to a special in-between-isode of Guides Gone Wild - I'm going to get right to the chase with this one for a change!
This Saturday, June 24th, is Summits in Solidarity's annual Solidarity Day fundraiser, which is designed to get everyone outside to celebrate and support BIPOC in outdoor spaces.
One of the recipients of this year's Summits in Solidarity fundraiser is the Boston chapter of Latino Outdoors, an organization dedicated to fostering connection with nature that is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. And today I've got the pleasure of speaking with Cyntya Uriegas, one of the volunteer leaders for Boston chapter - she's going to tell us a bit about herself, Latino Outdoors, and why this partnership with Summits in Solidarity is an exciting opportunity to build on the momentum this great group has generated in just a few short years in the Boston area.
I hope you'll follow Latino Outdoors Boston on Instagram and at their Eventbrite link, and don't forget about Solidarity Day, head on over to Summits in Solidarity.org to donate and sign up for a hike!
It's not too late to adopt a peak of your own, or tag on to one of the hikes and peaks that have already been claimed by another ally (or learn more and plan to do a fundraising hike of your own another day, just because it's not officially Solidarity Day doesn't mean you can't still stand in solidarity, right??)
Let's help Summits in Solidarity reach the top of all of the 4000 footers in New Hampshire, AND their $35K fundraising goal!
It's not just about like how do we get Latinos out into these outdoor spaces. It's like how can we get into those spaces and not feel like we have to not bring our music or not bring our food or Code switch or try to fit into a box of what outdoors people are or look like or sound like?
Speaker 2:Welcome to the guides gone wild podcast. What is guides gone wild, you ask? This is where you'll fill your ears and minds with the stories of every day extraordinary women who inspire you to take your outdoor adventure game to the next level. Whether you're starting your journey from the couch or the Trailhead, this is the place for you. So let's go.
Speaker 3:Welcome to a special in between a soad of guides gone wild. I'm going to get right to the chase with this one. For a change. This Saturday, june 24th, is the summits in solidarity's annual solidarity day fundraiser, which is designed to get everyone outside to celebrate and support by pock and outdoor spaces. Head to summits and solidarity Dot org to get more information, to donate and to sign up for a solidarity day hike. It's not too late to adopt a peak of your own or tag on to one of the hikes and peaks that have already been claimed by another Ally or learn more and plan to do a fundraising hike of your own another day.
Speaker 3:Just because it's not officially solidarity day doesn't mean you can't still stand in solidarity right. One of the recipients of this year's summits and solidarity fundraiser is the Boston chapter of Latino outdoors, an Organization dedicated to fostering connection with nature that is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year Today. I've got the pleasure of speaking with Cynthia or Egas, one of the volunteer leaders for the Latino outdoors Boston chapter. She's going to tell us a bit about herself, latino outdoors and why this partnership with summits and solidarity is an exciting opportunity To build on the momentum this great group has generated in just a few short years in the Boston area. So, without further delay, let's get out of the city and into the wild with Cynthia or Egas of Latino outdoors, and we're rocking a roll. And so, cynthia or Egas of Latino outdoors Boston, welcome to the guys. Come on podcast tonight. Thank you so much. Happy to be here. I'm happy to have you. I'm super excited.
Speaker 3:So I think Serena hooked me up with you guys in the first place. But I wanted to talk to you specifically about you know your, your interests and your goals, specifically about you. Know your, your interesting background and about Latino outdoors. And you know you, you are a leader in the Boston chapter and you take people outside and I want to hear all about it. But I guess I want to just at first kind of go back and just understand why are you interested in being outside in the first place? because you know not everybody's. So tell me a little bit more.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so Yeah, as you mentioned, i'm a volunteer leader with what's going on in Boston. I'm originally from South Texas, so I moved to Boston in 2017 after college And so, growing up in South Texas, i'm really close to the Frio River. I'm close to Garner State Park, so spend a lot of time outdoors as a child in those spaces. Going to the river during the summer in South Texas is just a place to be because it's so hot and there's no school. So, yeah, the river is State Park's favorite places to be And even as a kid was just always super active, playing, you know, with other kids in the neighborhood, riding bikes, playing kickball, whatever we you know.
Speaker 1:Just being outside was always a thing for me, and so after university, my pack kind of meander a little bit. And then I got to Boston and didn't get started with boss the Boston chapter until last year, because it's one. It's a relatively new chapter in the grand scheme of Latino outdoors And when I found it I was just really excited. I've been trying to stay active in the outdoors as I got older, which was a lot easier in Texas because I had a car I could just go and come, so when I moved to Boston was relying on public transportation or not having a car. I kind of to get creative with what the outdoors look like for me and spending time outdoors.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, that that is a huge. that is a huge issue obviously is the transportation aspect of it. I mean, certainly there are plenty of beautiful green spaces in Boston, but that's not the same as, you know, being able to go swimming in a beautiful river or being in the wilderness where there's just really nothing around you, and then, of course, you're dealing with the fact that you all of a sudden are somewhere where it's cold, you know, half the year.
Speaker 1:So, yes, that was definitely a big adjustment for me And thankfully I met people on, had friends who were, who had lived up in the Northeast in general and they gave me a lot of tips and after my first or second summer or winter excuse me I was like, okay, i just have to get the right year, i have to find a way to still be outdoors in the winter, because that's not going anywhere and I know that I don't want to be pooped up. So that's also been some of an adventure, adjusting to new England weather for sure.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so when you first moved up to Boston, were there any specific groups like, did you try to get involved with the MC, or did you have any other experiences that you're like? I don't know this, maybe this group isn't for me, or you know, tell me more about that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so I actually did.
Speaker 1:When I moved to Boston I found like I don't even remember the name of it some random like women's hiking group on Facebook And that first fall that I was in Boston we hiked, i believe, is Mount Monad not, and yeah, i just carpooled with random women that I didn't know and climb this mountain in the Northeast And really enjoyed that.
Speaker 1:But that was the only event that I ended up like participating in I think again, whether it was transportation or I just got busy, i don't know And then with some friends that I met throughout that first year in Boston, you know we tried to get out to the Blue Hills or middle sex spells, just some more closer areas. But to your point earlier, i think, as someone who grew up really in like a small town in South Texas, in the country, even like Blue Hills and the middle sex spells are our read them, they're all great in Boston And I still like desire that deep, like absolutely no city noise, i can see the stars, i can hear the crickets at night, like that is where my desire and like my heart to be in nature always lies, and so, yeah, so I tried to do a little bit of that when I first got to Boston and felt like I kind of had to settle a little bit, Yeah, yeah, i think if you're from an urban environment, you don't necessarily.
Speaker 3:I know some people. Sometimes people get way out out of the city like you don't understand. I don't think you really appreciate how much they'll. Just the light, the ambient light of being in a suburban, even area is like affecting your experience in the outdoors. And then you go somewhere that's like legit in the wilderness and a lot of people freak out. They can't deal with how dark and like all the noises that are not familiar noises and it's like, oh my gosh, this is amazing. So, yeah, i can imagine that was. That was a little bit challenging. So have you has your transportation situation changed or have you found other options?
Speaker 1:I know there's a I have you use rigid at all, or I have it and so getting paired up with some it's been solidary was actually the first time I heard about rigid, so I look forward to trying out and seeing how it works. I thankfully throughout my time in Boston have just gotten connected with other outdoorsy people who have transportation and have been able to kind of piggyback along as they go on hikes or go to Vermont or New Hampshire nearby things like that. So that's kind of been my solution. If you could, i guess you could say to trying to get further out into solitude in the outdoors.
Speaker 3:Yeah, what did you do for gear when you got here? Did you bring a bunch of stuff with you, or did you have to, like, get your whole wardrobe reset?
Speaker 1:Yeah I. So I didn't bring a lot with me when I moved here And I again was learning how to adapt to New England weather. So my friends were like layers, layers are your best friend. Which South Texas? you don't really need layers ever And so kind of adopted and just tried to find things that worked for me. I got involved in outdoor education and so met a lot of my coworkers, started to get me tips about what is good gear, where can I get like good quality gear for a lower price, things like that. And so it was really lucky to just kind of fall into, to fall into outdoor space around people who kind of knew a little bit already and we're welcoming and willing to like help, help help me out and teach me and show me some of the ropes.
Speaker 3:Yeah, one of the challenges I found when I lived in an urban environment was just storage. Like you, even if you want to have, you know all the gear and get all the things and stuff, it's like where do I put it now? like how many things can I hang on my walls? and it won't look like janky.
Speaker 1:Yeah, i recently moved into a new apartment and my friend was helping me pack and I had my like 60 liter pack stuff with my camping stuff or whatever. And they're like, what is all this? do you need all this? I'm like, yes, this is my like camping stuff, this is how I go outdoors. And they're like, but what? like they didn't understand because they're not an outdoors person. But yeah, it's definitely. Storage is another another thing for sure. Like where do you put your stuff if you want to have all the gear that you desire?
Speaker 3:Yeah, or you come home from a wet weekend and you're like, hmm, how's all this stuff going to get in here? Yeah, exactly. So how tell me about let's? let's segue into Latino outdoors. So you said that chapter is pretty new in Boston, it's? it's obviously been around for a bit around the country. Tell me a little bit more about you know, what you know of its evolution as a national organization, and then about the Boston chapter specifically.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so we are. Latino outdoors are celebrating their 10 year anniversary this year, so it started back in 2000, that 2013,. Excuse me, the founder, jose Gonzalez, was. He started it kind of just as a blog and a space to write about being in out in the outdoors, giving tips or just like talking about spaces outdoors that he's been in, and since then it's just evolved into this national nonprofit. They have a few, like lots of different chapters throughout the US. I think it's about like 3035 teams and growing, and those teams are all volunteer lives. So in every every chapter we have volunteers like myself who were planning outings, planning events, things like that, and so the Boston chapter was started back in 2021.
Speaker 1:So again relatively near one of the newer chapters, and it started out of the heart of just wanting to get more Latinos into the outdoors and be in that space and be comfortable together, and so my first outing with Latino outdoors Boston was last fall. We went to camp on one of the islands in Boston Harbor, and so that was a really great experience. I met a lot of great people there, and at that point our chapter was still only four people, so the four like original leaders that had kind of started things up And they mentioned we're looking for more volunteer leaders, that everyone's interested, and so from that camping trip we got a good chunk of our now volunteer leaders. They were participants on the camping trip or just like we're in, we want to be a part of this, like we want to create this for other people because it was so filling for us. I think a lot of us express leaving that camping trip and just feeling refreshed and rejuvenated and relaxed in the outdoors And that was something that we all on our own, like in our own lives, have been craving that because we weren't able to find that space in our personal field.
Speaker 1:We just weren't able to find that space anywhere else since being in Boston. So, yeah, it's kind of how I got started, at least with the Boston chapter. But again, the national chapter has been going for 10 years now. This whole year there's been lots of different celebrations and just looking back at how far the organization has come, how many people that they have served by helping them get outdoors, it's a really, really cool story. And again, jose started it all from. It's like a blog to create a space to write about being a Latino outdoor space.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so you talked about when you grew up. You were outside all the time And I think that that is not a unique experience across lots of different cultures. But why do you think, maybe, whether it's in New England or just in general, like, why do you think Jose felt the need to start it and talk about getting Latinos outside again? Because I think it's without thinking too deeply about it, i think people who live in the Boston area are like what do you mean? you can't go outside, don't really maybe appreciate, because you're just it's so white, centered up here And it's just that's what you see everywhere And you don't really stop to think about what it would feel like to be the other in a situation. So tell me a little bit about why it's important to have these outlets for you to get together with other people of your choosing that are not necessarily who you're going to see on your random hiking trip with the AMC or whatever.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Yeah, that's a great question. I think there's a few different things to it from for myself. Growing up, like I mentioned, you know, i was outside a lot. We were at the river, we were camping in the state parks. I think that that looked a certain way and it, growing up, that was the norm and that was the culture. And especially where I grew up in South Texas, there are a lot of Latinos and we just had a way of doing things and it was kind of understood that yeah, we like go camping and tents, but we still cook our kinds of food or we still do it a certain way.
Speaker 1:But that wasn't the way that I saw it portrayed in the movies or in books or things like that. And so I think for me personally, that is where the disconnect came of like, yeah, i do love being outdoors, but I don't think I'm being outdoorsy the way that other people. I see other people being outdoorsy, if that makes sense. So I think for me personally, that's kind of like where the disconnect came, until I got a little older and got into the outdoor education industry. Even then I was surrounded by a lot of white people and I was faced with some imposter syndrome of like oh, i like being outdoors, i consider myself an outdoorsy person, but do I know about all the gear yet? No, do I know about, like, how to go on a two week backpacking expedition? No, but I still would consider myself outdoorsy, and so those two things always kind of like clashed for me until, again, i stumbled into outdoor education. I was able to go on a few different trips And then I started meeting people with Latino outdoors and things like that.
Speaker 1:So now I like feel like I kind of fit into that space. But again, you mentioned like being in a space with the people of your choosing. There's, i feel different when I'm outdoors with coworkers and when I'm outdoors with Latino outdoors, there's just something different about it. So I think that is that imposter syndrome is very real, and then I think it's just a matter of when we are together as Latino outdoors and we're at events and stuff.
Speaker 1:There's things that just go unsaid that we understand about each other, or I think for me, a big part of it is is language, and so I grew up hearing Spanish. My parents are fluently bilingual but I'm not, and so I hesitate to speak Spanish sometimes around certain people because they expect me to be fluent and I'm not, and when I'm with Latino outdoors people, we all just like talking Spanish. We're talking English, whatever, and it feels comfortable. I never had to question like are they going to judge my Spanish? Are they going to think that I'm like trying too hard or not enough? But that that also lies in there, and I think that is something that some people wouldn't understand if they're not used to always being in spaces as as other.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's. That's. That's super interesting. It was funny that you mentioned food, and I don't even know if that was an aside or not, but I've been places more like they use type places where I'm constantly like, you know, a huge extended family will come in and they'll lots, you know, sometimes be speaking English, sometimes be speaking Spanish, sometimes be speaking Portuguese or whatever, but I'm always jealous because they always bring way better food than we have, like they're grilling stuff, they're doing like all all of the things they have like multiple course meals, and we're always just sitting there like what our sandwich is, like wow, i really want to go hang out over there. This is the lamest stuff. So what is your favorite stuff to bring, like when you guys go out on adventures? is there, do you think there is a difference to the food that you decide to bring, and what do you decide to bring? I want to know, like, what's the secret to like having a really awesome meal when you're in the woods?
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's a great question. I think for us I will. so we do sometimes like on that camping trip we still did the the s'mores, we had to do the s'mores on the campfire, things like that. I think for us, like, seasoning is always a big thing. So bringing some of your favorite seasonings or if you bring fruit on the trail, still bringing like your tahini to put on top of it, i think that's that's a big part of Latina outdoors too, is it's not just about like how do we get Latinos out, out into these outdoor spaces? It's like how can we get into those spaces and not feel like we have to not bring our music or not bring our food, or like code switch or try to fit into a box of what outdoors people are or look like or sound like? And I think if you haven't been encouraged to do that growing up, then you don't necessarily know like that. you can do that, especially if the norm and what you constantly are seeing is is something that's different.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, that's, that's. That's a good point. So are you mostly doing adventures in and around the city, like, or do you do further afield? Are you starting to branch out, like, how many people are kind of routinely participating in the chapter activities at this point?
Speaker 1:For the most part, most of them are like, localized to the greater Boston, to the greater Boston area. We have done one I'm going to say one that I'm thinking off the top of my head a bigger hike in New Hampshire last fall to see all the colors change, the leaves change, but for the most part they're in the city ish, and we have anywhere between like 15 to 35 people per event, just depending on what it is, and the events will vary. We've had one of our leaders is very passionate about birds And so she's led like birding events once a month And that one has been a very family friendly event. A lot of families like to bring their kids because it's an easy walk around some of the marshes in Boston and they can look at birds. Things like that We've done in the winter. We just wrapped up in May our winter series called Latino indoors And so we were partnering with a few different rock climbing gyms in the city to get some discounted rates for our participants to go bouldering And so, again, still trying to be active through New England weather or winter is was our goal with that one And that was really successful when the gyms in the city were really great at partnering with us. We got, we're able to like get some discounted memberships for letting outdoors members, things like that, if they really enjoyed it, wanted to continue climbing.
Speaker 1:We have had our camping We. Last summer, a lot of the leaders planned a lot of trips to the harbor islands. This summer we have some kayaking with another partner in Boston. So, yeah, the trips vary depending on like. If people are like, as leaders, we're just like hey, we would love to share this type of outdoor experience with our, with our participants, like, let's make it happen. We reach out. We partner with Oregon City And most of them are day events. Like I mentioned, we had a few camping or our camping one last fall And our hope is to move into longer camping experiences. Another big thing about our outings is just wanting to make sure that they are accessible, and obviously that means a lot of different things, whether it's transportation, whether it's cost. So all of our, all of our outings have been at no cost to the participants, and so that's kind of where low, low national comes in with helping with funding, and then we as a chapter also do some grant writing and X, y and Z, and that's how we got partnered with Summit's Insolidarity as well.
Speaker 3:Yeah, definitely, i want to. Let's talk about that partnership a little bit. But I also wanted to just inquire it sounds like you're doing stuff for you know, families, is it is the whole spectrum of ages Or do you think is it? is it right now mostly kind of younger millennials, gen Z, yeah, yeah, i would say we definitely have a spectrum.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we definitely have a handful of families who have come out to most, to most of our like family friendly events. Again, we have some that have been smaller heights, through the blue hills, things like that, and then the birding one has been really cool for families. We do have a lot of our millennials are Gen Z years, and then we do also have some older, like you know, as anything else, who have been coming out to some of our our heights. So I think I would say we have a very wide spectrum, which has been really cool to see as well.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's awesome And I would, and I would imagine, i mean, given that you just started in 2021, i mean that's, that's crazy. I mean we were still in COVID back then, kind of, although, although a lot of people were trying to get out of it, which is probably part of the impetus. So so, yeah, let's talk about the partnership with summits and solidarity. How do you do you know how the two groups kind of came together And what? are you kind of earmarking any of the funds raised through that fundraiser? What? what is going to be done with those?
Speaker 1:Yeah, so we got connected and we heard about summits and solidarity from one of our volunteer leaders is on the summits and solidarity board, and so she told us about them and what they're doing, about the fundraiser that was coming up, and so we applied to be a grant for one of the recipients of the fundraiser. So that's how we like got connected with them And we really love their mission. We love what they're trying to do in the outdoors and just create again like an open space for people in the outdoors, and so we felt like that just was in line a lot with what we're doing as Latino outdoors And so we really looking forward to partnering with them. We're looking forward to the event at the end of the month. It's going to be a lot of fun. We Latino outdoors is doing their their own hike on that day. So we already have like about 30 participants who have signed up to come up to New Hampshire to hike with us for the big summits and solidarity day. So that's exciting And, yeah, so the for the funds.
Speaker 1:We are hoping that this. So, as I mentioned last fall, we did a big hike to Mount Major on New Hampshire And so we had, i think, that hike we had like 20 to 25 participants, so it was a big turnout And we would love to be able to extend to a weekend hike or some something like that. So a lot of what the funds that we will get from this fundraiser we're hoping can go again to gear, to resources if we need to help with transportation, you know, rent a bus or whatever. So we're really excited to start planning that out And we're hoping again that it would be sometime this fall around the same time to get up and see all the leaves changing, because that was really sweet as well.
Speaker 3:Yeah, absolutely. So what? where are you guys going to go for your solidarity day hike? Do you have you figured that out yet?
Speaker 1:We have it. I think it's Mount Willard. Oh, yeah, okay, i think, yeah, yeah, um, that's great. Me and two other volunteer leaders are planning it, and so one of them she actually lives in New Hampshire and has been um, but helps with the Boston chapter, and so she's very familiar with all the trails and things up there. So we were like you got it, pick the height, pick the route or whatever will be there. So I'm pretty sure it's Mount Willard that she chose.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's great, that's awesome And and seems like they're they're doing pretty well this time around with the fundraiser And they've got a lot of uh, a lot of the peaks adopted. And I've been trying to figure out where I'm going to do my hike, because I can't do it that particular day but I'm like I gotta bang something else out somewhere this month. So I've got just got my bandana, so I'm all ready to go.
Speaker 3:Um so for folks that are interested in supporting Latino outdoors, beyond just the summits and solidarity fundraiser, what are some ideas? I mean, obviously I'm sure there's a website you could donate at, but you know, are things like, you know, access to gear or access to um somewhere to stay or anything like that? Like what? what types of things should people be thinking about that they could potentially do to help more of the group? you know, get out more often?
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's a great question. Um, i think, definitely, i mean follow our social media. Social media, we have it, uh Instagram, latino Outdoors Boston And I think, if anyone knows, uh, grants or things like that, fundraiser, it's like we are always. We we have a very eager team who wants to continue to, to push that barrier of what we can provide for our participants, to keep creating great experiences for them. And, yeah, i think most of our participants, right now at least and again we're a newer chapter, so we're still building up our base They don't have a lot of camping gear or like materials or access to those things, or they're still learning about it. And so, um, i think for us, yeah, i think fundraising is the thing that we are very like focused on right now in a sense, because we know that with that, more opportunities for our participants can come.
Speaker 1:And I think spreading the word, yeah, like spreading the word about Latino Outdoors, spreading the word about Boston chapter If any of you are listening or not, in the Boston area, again, we have chapters all over the the U S, and so, finding the nearest chapter to you, seeing what they're doing, how, like, you can help promote what they're doing, um, not just to like get the word out to other people, but also to get the word out to Latino's. I think I've been surprised at how we'll have people who come to our events for the first time. They're like I hadn't heard about you guys yet, and in today's you know today's world, social media and everything, it's surprising, it feels surprising, that they hadn't yet. Um, so I think we still are building our, our platform, so just spreading the word is always helpful also.
Speaker 3:Yeah, definitely Do you know? is there a? is there a chapter up in like Maine or New Hampshire, or are you guys kind of it further than New England? uh uh, northern New England.
Speaker 1:Yeah, there's not, there's no, there's not a chapter in Maine or New Hampshire, i think. low Connecticut just started recently within the last six months, so they're getting started. There's um. I guess I don't know if New York is technically New England, but New York also has a chapter, um. so for right now I think it's yeah, boston, connecticut and New York, and then there's um. there's a Western mass chapter as well.
Speaker 3:Oh cool. Okay, That's awesome. Like out by Springfield, or yes?
Speaker 1:I'm not sure where their base or where their leaders are at, but they I'm pretty sure that look. Western mass, low Western mass was started before Boston Um, and so our, our Boston um founder had gone to a few purchase or events in Western mass, but again, like that's, that's a little far. again, transportation is about accessibility, right, and so she decided, well, i'm going to start it here in Boston too, so that we can really like hover the whole state.
Speaker 3:Yeah, Yeah, That's great, That's so great. Um, yeah, So I I guess, yeah, if anyone is listening and knows anyone in you know, maybe Southern New Hampshire or Maine who is interested, it seems like that would be a great place to start. It would be kind of jumping in with some of you guys, events to see and and maybe being able to facilitate locations or access to stuff up in the North country. That would be a fun getaway for folks that are from Boston. So that's awesome. Um, yeah, How are some other ways that you know I'm going to ask my obtuse white person question of like ways that we can be better allies and be be, you know, make, make people feel more comfortable so that it's like not a non issue for folks to be feeling like, Oh, I'm going outside and I'm here and you're here and we're all here and it's great. You know, like, are there anything, anything specific you could think about that you really wish that you'd see more of?
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's a good question. Um, i think obviously there's always the educate yourself. Um, i even myself as a Latina, i'm always inspired by hearing about other Latinos and Latinas, latins who are doing things in the outdoors. There's so many people similar to Jose that are pushing the boundaries and making themselves known, whether it's podcasts, whether it's research, whether it's like environmental work. there's so many and becoming a part of Latina outdoors I was. they give us a lot of great resources too, and so I myself have even just expanded my knowledge on all the things that people of color are doing in the outdoors. So it's say, yeah, look into that, look into that, like, look into Latina outdoors, look into Afro outdoors, look into Brown Gross Climb, like. there's so many different organizations that are doing things and support them. whether that means donating, whether that means spreading the word, reaching out to like, encourage or support, like, ask how you can support, i think is always great.
Speaker 1:I think a real tangible thing for myself as a woman of color, whether I'm on the trail or kayaking or whatever just being acknowledged as being outdoors, whether that means a simple like, hi or smile or things like that, for me personally, i think that that would go a long way. I've definitely been in outdoor spaces sometimes where I don't feel welcomed and it's a simple hey, it's a great day, like glad you're out here, like hey, how's your height going? or like, hey, good job, keep going. Like the smallest things, i think, make a really big difference. And so for me, i would say, that feels like a really tangible thing to just acknowledge that someone who maybe doesn't look like you as in the outdoors, and that you're okay with that, like you encourage, like you're okay with that. I would love to see more of that when I'm on the trail or in the water.
Speaker 3:Yeah, Yeah, I would too man. Everyone stop being a-holes, like it's okay to be friendly when you see other people outside or in the trail or whatever.
Speaker 1:Yeah, maybe that's like the taxes and we just, you know, we say hi to strangers. Can we just say hi, i know.
Speaker 3:Like yeah, it is funny, I don't know. As I get older, i think I'm getting more friendly and I'm like good morning. And then I'm like people don't say back and you're like what the hell is wrong with you?
Speaker 2:Like would it really have killed you, to just say good morning.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's a good point. That's a very good reminder to everybody. Just, you know, don't be a jerk, i love it. All right, let's see. Anything else, what did we miss?
Speaker 1:I was going to add to the point you mentioned, like if there's any listeners in Maine or New Hampshire who would be interested in like what does it look like to start letting outdoors chapter? I just wanted to add that, like you don't have to know everything about the outdoors, national does a really great job with onboarding their volunteers. They're always like trying to make that process better. We are given so many resources, not only to like how to how to like lead an event, how to like work with people, how to work with volunteers, but also opportunities to go on. Every year there's like a low national outing And so one year they had I believe it was a few days of camping in the Redwoods and like volunteer leaders from all the chapters came out. We are given access to a network of resources. Like I mentioned earlier, we are given access to a network of like job opportunities in environmental like in the environmental field, in the like communications field, for BIPOC organizations, things like that.
Speaker 1:So if anyone's like oh yeah, i would love to have that here, but I can't do it, like, yes, you can, there's lots of support from national. Again, there's like I don't know like over 250 volunteers, i think at this point, and that is continuing to grow every day. So, like we yeah, tons of support a big network of fellow Latinos, latinas who are always so excited and so supportive of new chapters. Like we follow on my personal account and the Latino Outdoors Boston account we follow like every Latino Outdoors account we can like all the new ones, all the ones, yeah. So I think I would just encourage anyone if they're listening to this and they're like that sounds great, i wish that was here. Like you could do that, that could be you And you have a lot of people who would love to support you and that that is a really good point, that this is not just like some fly by night organization.
Speaker 3:I mean, you know, you said at the beginning that you're celebrating your 10th anniversary and you're yeah, you're right. The website is great. I noticed the job board, which I thought was like an amazing kind of ad, and you know that is. It's awesome that there are so many good resources, because, to your point, like, if you have the time and the inclination, that's really everything else you know seems like it's provided, so that's awesome. All right, my last question that I want to ask you, but I like to ask everybody what's your favorite piece of gear that you have or most useful that cost you less?
Speaker 1:than $50?.
Speaker 1:Oh man, i saw this question. I was like, oh, this is a good question And what is my answer? I was trying to like wrap my brain about the gear that I have. Let's see, it was less than $50. I feel like this might be a silly thing, but I love it And I love using it.
Speaker 1:Is my Lucy lantern. I'm pretty sure that was less than $50. So it's like a solar powered lantern that it like you blow it up and then and then it can collapse And I use that all the time. Even just like. I think I've used it once or twice with my power without or something like Oh, i got my Lucy lantern, like I'm bringing it And you can also like as a USB to charge from it So I can like still charge my phone and stuff. It's like I can just bring that instead of multiple other things to charge. Yeah, so I think that is one of my like favorite most like. When I got it, i was super excited. It was just like a little kid ready to to go explore, exciting. Yeah, my solar powered light.
Speaker 3:That's actually an awesome suggestion And that brings it all the way back, like you just you just took, did without even knowing it did a complete full circle. The very first person I ever had on this podcast, that was her, her under under $50 recommendation. So there you go, alicia, you're like. Two years later, however, many years later, the Lucy light is still coming through. So, yeah, no, that's, that's a, that's a great suggestion, and they've I'm sure they've gotten better, even since I bought I want to buy in some stuff back from them way back when I got some.
Speaker 3:I have some solar string lights that I like to bring places because it's just like fun to have a little twinkle And, you know, don't need to bring anything else. So that's a great, a great suggestion. So this is awesome. I really, i really appreciate this And I hope that everybody gets out this month and does a little solidarity hike or, you know, do it next month or sign up and send them money every month, because it's just, it's all. it's all going to a good place And I think I'm excited to watch the growth of your chapter.
Speaker 3:like to your last point, if you're just a random white person who's interested in the outside and you're for you, on any of your social media is all people that look like you you're doing it wrong because there's so many other, there's so many great accounts to follow and just get. just broaden your horizons and see what, how many cool people are out there just doing super cool things that aren't like sponsored by North Face and you know, yeah, yeah, it's, it's awesome, and some and and some of them are, and hopefully more of them will be. so there you go. I love it. I love every, every minute of that. All right. well, that's cool. We're so Latino, it's Latino outdoorsorg. Yes, is this Boston doesn't have? do they have their own? they have their own Instagram and Facebook, probably right.
Speaker 1:We have our own Instagram. Our Facebook page is a little underfin structure right now, so the best way to find this is let's you know outdoors, boston on Instagram. Follow us. We post regularly we. You can also follow the national page as well. You know outdoors And in the other chapter you want to follow again. They're all over the US.
Speaker 3:Right, right, and the calendar? does the the national? is the website have like a calendar of all the events all over the place, or is that best ferreted out by following the Instagram page?
Speaker 1:It's best by following their Instagram page or you can also follow. most chapters will have an event bright linked to like their specific chapter, because that's how we promote all of our monthly events is through event bright signups, and so, if you like, follow on that too. you'll get notifications. You can also, if you see a chapter you're really interested in, reach out to them. they can sign you up for their newsletter And again, anytime an event is ready to go and is like being advertised, you can sign up. We also we event bright, we send out newsletters, so lots of different ways to say contact, like contacted with the chapter.
Speaker 3:That's awesome You got, and it's all volunteer, which is just crazy, you're doing good things Excellent.
Speaker 1:Thank you All right, well, awesome.
Speaker 3:I hope that. I hope that you have a super successful outcome of this fundraiser and I'm hoping that I'm going to see you on a trail very soon and we're going to be like what's up? Oh my gosh, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:All right, all right Thank you, cynthia.
Speaker 3:Thanks Jennifer, Have a good one. Yeah, you too, hope you enjoyed our quick and dirty about Latino Outdoors Boston and the Summits and Solidarity fundraiser. I hope you'll follow Latino Outdoors Boston on Instagram. They are at Latino Outdoors underscore Boston. And don't forget this Saturday, june 24, is Solidarity Day. Head on over to summitsandsolidarityorg to donate and sign up for a hike. Let's help summits and solidarity reach the top of all the 4,000 footers in New Hampshire and their $35,000 fundraising goal, because really is there any better excuse to get a little wild?