Pack Stats
Numbers back our purpose. They provide the evidence needed, which helps structure, and direct our efforts. In the realm of outdoor participation, these numbers reveal a stark reality: While Hispanic people participate in outdoor activities and see themselves as outdoor enthusiasts, they hold less than 11% of the outdoor participant base and only 9 percent of participants are Black, according to a 2021 survey. This statistic is a clear indicator of the lack of diversity in outdoor activities, and it serves as a call to action for our company to work towards increasing these numbers.
Black Engagement (Color Outside The Lines)
The outdoor participation base is less diverse than the U.S. population overall. White people make up 71% of the outdoor participant base, Hispanic people make up 12.6% of the base, Black people make up 9.4% of the base, and Asian people make up 5.5% of the base. In between 2000 and 2018, Black Americans were the most underrepresented group in national parks, accounting for 4 to 7 percent of attendees despite making up around 13 percent of the U.S. population. Outdoor activities can also come with hefty price tags. Equipment, travel costs, and park fees can prohibit many families. Low-income neighborhoods have fewer public parks and green spaces. This may limit opportunities of outdoor engagement. In a economically disadvantaged area, outdoor programs and initiatives are less likely to be available and resource deficiencies further exacerbates the disconnect, as people in these communities grow up without the abundant opportunities to engage with nature.
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60 Years After (Black History of the Outdoors)
Despite the ideal, many Black communities experience obstacles to enjoying the outdoors fully—from limited access to green spaces, to subconscious thoughts of discrimination or harassment. 2024, is the 60th anniversary of both the Civil Rights Act and the Wilderness Act. These pose as reminders that steps taken together can strengthen our common sense of community. 1945 marks the year in history which national parks were even officially desegregated. Even after desegregation, national parks remained exclusionary for much of the early 20th century. Segregation in national parks was illegalized by the Civil Rights Act of 1963, a reminder that some of our most painful history isn’t all that distant. Confrontation doubles these efforts to create more memorable outdoor experiences.
