My Outdoor Joy: The Benefits of Exploring the Great Outdoors
By John Burton Jr.
“Go outside and play” is a familiar phrase if you were a child of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Back then, going outside meant climbing a tree, exploring the woods and, occasionally, playing in the mud. Today with video games, cable television and now the internet, people rarely play outside anymore.
According to a 2021 survey, only 9% of people who participate in outdoor activities are Black. This may be for various reasons:
1. Historical policies and practices: Redlining and economic segregation created barriers to outdoor access. For example, during the Jim Crow era, Black people were not allowed in America’s national parks.
2. Anxiety and fear: Some Black people, particularly those from urban communities, may experience anxiety and fear when venturing into outdoor areas. They may have concerns about being treated differently or feeling unsafe in places that were once considered “white” spaces.
3. Limited access: Some communities of color may not have easy access to parks, lakes and wilderness areas, which restricts their ability to use these spaces.
4. Lack of exposure: Nature-based recreation may not be familiar to some people of color, which perpetuates the stereotype that the outdoors is not for them.
5. Income disparity: Affording vacations to parks may be challenging for low-income people, and the middle class may not prioritize nature-based vacations.
James Smith and his company MyOutdoorJoy want to erase those obstacles. Smith established MyOutdoorJoy out of a blossoming interest in outdoor activities among adults in the Charlotte area. He discovered that many were eager to explore the outdoors yet lacked the guidance to explore it in meaningful and enriching ways.
“We go from hiking, all the way up to sky diving for those who are more adventurous,” Smith said in an interview with Lake Norman Chamber President and CEO Bill Russell last year.
Although his formal training is in electrical engineering, Smith is a quintessential outdoorsman with over 30 years of experience in the outdoor industry. A former Boy Scout, he has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, hiked 1730 miles of the Appalachian Trail, led over 400 guided hikes, and more. Smith is certified in open-water scuba diving and NOLS Wilderness First Aid. He also has AED and CPR training. This New York native is well-equipped to provide ways for even a novice to nature to become engaged and empowered with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to dive into a variety of recreational activities.
MyOutdoorJoy offers inspiring classes in backpacking, emergency preparedness and camping 101. Each experience provides top-notch expertise and recreational equipment. They can also customize group events according to skill level. Think of it as “adult recess.”
If someone of color stated that they were spending the night outside in a tent, learning how to build a fire, cook by fire and purify water— on purpose, they might likely get the side eye. Being one with wilderness is not known to be popular with Black people. The idea is often met with responses such as, “That’s stuff white people do!” Nowadays, people of color are doing it too.
Black people nationwide are beginning to embrace outdoor spaces by establishing their own communities of nature. Organizations such as Outdoor Afro, Vibe Tribe Adventures, Outdoorsy Black Women and Issa Vibe Adventures are among the many groups striving to create inclusive environments for Black people to partake in outdoor adventures while debunking the misconception that outdoor activities are not meant for them.
A large part of conquering the outdoors for people of color is conquering fears; mainly, dismantling the fears of the unknown. “Most people think that we are in the middle of nowhere sleeping on the ground and bears are around,” said Smith. “Not me. I have my queen-size air mattress, sheets, table, light, battery-powered generator, and sometimes I hook up to the wi-fi and watch TV. Think of it as a cookout when you spend the night outside.”
Being active outdoors also does not have an age limit. “I remember taking a 73-year-old woman and her friends camping. They were a group of beginners, and I could tell they were a bit nervous,” Smith explained. “It didn’t take them long to get adjusted. They were having so much fun, we went from eating sub sandwiches to cooking lobster on the campground.”
There are tons of benefits to being one with nature. Just inhaling the fresh, unpolluted air brings a degree of wellness. Just one breath of fresh air can release serotonin from the extra oxygen it brings. Direct sunlight provides excellent Vitamin D, which allows the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus.
Data has shown that time outdoors can improve blood pressure, digestion and boost the immune system. In addition, being outdoors can improve your mood because you feel less stressed and you’re being active. Hikers have the potential to burn from 120-300 calories per hour. Cyclists can burn 300-500 calories per hour, and even fishing can burn up to 200 calories per hour.
Although segregation existed historically in many places, including the outdoors, things are changing. Generations later, many outdoor enthusiasts of color are enjoying being at one with nature and its restorative effect. Go sign up for a wilderness course. If not, grab your tent, flashlight and air mattress— and go outside and play!
Visit MyOutdoorJoy.com for more information.