Black Girls Explore the Outdoors

Black Girls Don’t Get Love event April 22, 2023, Syracuse, NY.

April 22nd, 2023 | Green Lakes State Park, NY, United States

Black Girls WILL Get Love Inc rolled out their famous pink carpet, welcoming girls with tiaras and flowers as they arrived at the Green Lakes State Park. This event was free for girls of color, ages 5 to 25, with the goal of connecting girls to the outdoors, a space where they are not typically represented. It was a truly special moment for many girls, as it was the first time they used binoculars, built a fire, or went camping. In partnership with the New York State Ladders to the Outdoors Program, they learned how to pitch tents, use binoculars provided by NOCS Provisions, and build a fire. The girls also enjoyed learning birding techniques taught by ornithologist Isaiah Scott. Through this experience, the girls gained a deeper understanding of nature and themselves.

Upon arrival, girls received their flowers and tiaras.

Black Girls WILL Get Love’s mission is to make the girls feel special and nurture their self-esteem. Events such as this and other events from the organization, like the Film Training Program and Screenwriting Workshop, are designed to provide girls with a wider exposure to careers that are open to them. The organization aims to change how Black girls see themselves and show them places and pathways where they may not see themselves traditionally represented.

In partnership with New York State’s Ladders for the Outdoors Program, they demonstrated how to build a fire.
Participants joined in on the demonstration.
The girls gathering supplies to build a fire.

Participants enjoyed a one-day camping simulation where they learned valuable outdoor skills through creative nature-related activities and listening to demonstrations from the Ladders to the Outdoors Program. Ornithologist Isaiah Scott led the girls on a nature hike around the state park to identify many species of local birds in their natural habitat. He also demonstrated how to use the binoculars provided, and the girls identified common species like the Black-capped Chickadee and the American Crow. After the event, one young girl said that this was the best day of her life! Through the Black Girls WILL Get Love Outdoor Exploration, girls of color experienced and developed an excitement for the outdoors that, with guidance and resources, will last a lifetime.

The event was featured on PBS! You can watch the video below for more information about this wonderful event:

Images courtesy of Black Girls WILL Get Love Inc.

Page by Caroline Pontaoe