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 it91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淭his was a chance for many people to try camping for the first time,91裸聊视频� said Lizzie Ojo Martins, Vancouver events co-ordinator for Colour the Trails, of the July event.

91裸聊视频淲e want participants to feel confident, comfortable, and excited about spending time outdoors.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淧arks Canada runs these events across the country,91裸聊视频� Martins told The Squamish Chief.

91裸聊视频淪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.91裸聊视频�

Participants arrived with family and friends and stayed in tents provided by Parks Canada91裸聊视频攅ach fitting up to six people. 91裸聊视频淧arks Canada took care of campsite bookings and arranged transportation, like buses, so transportation and cost wouldn91裸聊视频檛 be barriers,91裸聊视频� she said.

For many participants, this event marked their first camping trip in Canada. 91裸聊视频淎 lot of attendees are immigrants or the children of immigrants, 91裸聊视频渟aid Martins.

91裸聊视频淭hey tell us they91裸聊视频檝e always wanted to try camping because they see it as part of the 91裸聊视频楥anadian experience,91裸聊视频� but they didn91裸聊视频檛 have the right networks or knowledge. This event gave them the skills91裸聊视频攁nd the courage91裸聊视频攖o feel included in that experience.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淐ease91裸聊视频檚 teachings really resonated with people, 91裸聊视频渟aid Martins.

91裸聊视频淎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.91裸聊视频�

These teachings continue to ripple through Colour the Trails91裸聊视频� community.

91裸聊视频淎t other events, people still talk about what they learned from Cease91裸聊视频攍ike the frog leaves and mosses she introduced. It91裸聊视频檚 wonderful to see participants remember that knowledge and use it in their daily lives,91裸聊视频� she said.

91裸聊视频淥ur team is made up of women of colour from different backgrounds,91裸聊视频� Martins said. 91裸聊视频淏ut we91裸聊视频檙e always finding ways to invite the community in and learn from each other.

91裸聊视频淔or example, I wouldn91裸聊视频檛 feel comfortable teaching about Indigenous plants because that91裸聊视频檚 not my area of knowledge,91裸聊视频� she said.

91裸聊视频淏ut it91裸聊视频檚 so meaningful to invite someone like Cease to share that wisdom with us. It91裸聊视频檚 especially important for newcomers to Canada91裸聊视频攖hey get to learn not just outdoor skills but also about the people and cultures that were here long before settlers arrived.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淩epresentation matters in outdoor spaces too.91裸聊视频� she said.

91裸聊视频淲e love collaborating with instructors of colour, helping them share their skills and take on leadership roles within the community,91裸聊视频� said Martins.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 inspiring to see how these events create new opportunities for growth and connection.91裸聊视频�

For Squamish residents, Martins left a clear message.

91裸聊视频淪quamish is, you know, the outdoor adventure capital,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淐ommunity starts with an invitation. If you have skills, gear, or experience, share them with people who want to learn but don91裸聊视频檛 know how to get started.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淚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 group91裸聊视频攎eet new people and bring them into your circle. It will only help everyone have better access to the outdoors.91裸聊视频�