By Bhagyashree Chatterjee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

What makes a camping trip unforgettable? Is it the thrill of pitching your first tent? Spotting wildlife on a forest trail? Or maybe it香蕉视频直播檚 the simple joy of roasting marshmallows by the campfire.

This past summer, participants gathered at Alice Lake Provincial Park to experience all this and more at an event hosted by Colour the Trails in partnership with Parks Canada.

香蕉视频直播淭his was a chance for many people to try camping for the first time,香蕉视频直播� said Lizzie Ojo Martins, Vancouver events co-ordinator for Colour the Trails, of the July event.

香蕉视频直播淲e want participants to feel confident, comfortable, and excited about spending time outdoors.香蕉视频直播�

Colour the Trails, the organization behind the event, is a national Black woman-owned business focused on increasing access to outdoor activities for individuals, including those who identify at the intersection of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) and the 2SLGBTQAI+ community.

香蕉视频直播淧arks Canada runs these events across the country,香蕉视频直播� Martins told The Squamish Chief.

香蕉视频直播淪ome are smaller, booth-based sessions about things like tent setup or campfire safety. Others, like this one, offer the full overnight camping experience. We work together to make it as accessible as possible.香蕉视频直播�

Participants arrived with family and friends and stayed in tents provided by Parks Canada香蕉视频直播攅ach fitting up to six people. 香蕉视频直播淧arks Canada took care of campsite bookings and arranged transportation, like buses, so transportation and cost wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 be barriers,香蕉视频直播� she said.

For many participants, this event marked their first camping trip in Canada. 香蕉视频直播淎 lot of attendees are immigrants or the children of immigrants, 香蕉视频直播渟aid Martins.

香蕉视频直播淭hey tell us they香蕉视频直播檝e always wanted to try camping because they see it as part of the 香蕉视频直播楥anadian experience,香蕉视频直播� but they didn香蕉视频直播檛 have the right networks or knowledge. This event gave them the skills香蕉视频直播攁nd the courage香蕉视频直播攖o feel included in that experience.香蕉视频直播�

One of the most memorable sessions of the weekend was led by Cease, an Indigenous educator, who taught participants about the medicinal properties of local plants.

香蕉视频直播淐ease香蕉视频直播檚 teachings really resonated with people, 香蕉视频直播渟aid Martins.

香蕉视频直播淎fter the event, I went camping with my partner, and he remembered a plant Cease showed us that helps with muscle pain. He found the plant, carried it with him, and tried it out. It was amazing to see how those lessons stick with people.香蕉视频直播�

These teachings continue to ripple through Colour the Trails香蕉视频直播� community.

香蕉视频直播淎t other events, people still talk about what they learned from Cease香蕉视频直播攍ike the frog leaves and mosses she introduced. It香蕉视频直播檚 wonderful to see participants remember that knowledge and use it in their daily lives,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淥ur team is made up of women of colour from different backgrounds,香蕉视频直播� Martins said. 香蕉视频直播淏ut we香蕉视频直播檙e always finding ways to invite the community in and learn from each other.

香蕉视频直播淔or example, I wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 feel comfortable teaching about Indigenous plants because that香蕉视频直播檚 not my area of knowledge,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淏ut it香蕉视频直播檚 so meaningful to invite someone like Cease to share that wisdom with us. It香蕉视频直播檚 especially important for newcomers to Canada香蕉视频直播攖hey get to learn not just outdoor skills but also about the people and cultures that were here long before settlers arrived.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淩epresentation matters in outdoor spaces too.香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淲e love collaborating with instructors of colour, helping them share their skills and take on leadership roles within the community,香蕉视频直播� said Martins.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 inspiring to see how these events create new opportunities for growth and connection.香蕉视频直播�

For Squamish residents, Martins left a clear message.

香蕉视频直播淪quamish is, you know, the outdoor adventure capital,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淐ommunity starts with an invitation. If you have skills, gear, or experience, share them with people who want to learn but don香蕉视频直播檛 know how to get started.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淚nvite someone on your camping trip. Invite someone to try skiing or mountain biking for the first time. Be patient with them as learners. And broaden your friend group香蕉视频直播攎eet new people and bring them into your circle. It will only help everyone have better access to the outdoors.香蕉视频直播�