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鈥檚 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.

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

鈥淲e want participants to feel confident, comfortable, and excited about spending time outdoors.鈥�

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.

鈥淧arks Canada runs these events across the country,鈥� Martins told The Squamish Chief.

鈥淪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.鈥�

Participants arrived with family and friends and stayed in tents provided by Parks Canada鈥攅ach fitting up to six people. 鈥淧arks Canada took care of campsite bookings and arranged transportation, like buses, so transportation and cost wouldn鈥檛 be barriers,鈥� she said.

For many participants, this event marked their first camping trip in Canada. 鈥淎 lot of attendees are immigrants or the children of immigrants, 鈥渟aid Martins.

鈥淭hey tell us they鈥檝e always wanted to try camping because they see it as part of the 鈥楥anadian experience,鈥� but they didn鈥檛 have the right networks or knowledge. This event gave them the skills鈥攁nd the courage鈥攖o feel included in that experience.鈥�

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.

鈥淐ease鈥檚 teachings really resonated with people, 鈥渟aid Martins.

鈥淎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.鈥�

These teachings continue to ripple through Colour the Trails鈥� community.

鈥淎t other events, people still talk about what they learned from Cease鈥攍ike the frog leaves and mosses she introduced. It鈥檚 wonderful to see participants remember that knowledge and use it in their daily lives,鈥� she said.

鈥淥ur team is made up of women of colour from different backgrounds,鈥� Martins said. 鈥淏ut we鈥檙e always finding ways to invite the community in and learn from each other.

鈥淔or example, I wouldn鈥檛 feel comfortable teaching about Indigenous plants because that鈥檚 not my area of knowledge,鈥� she said.

鈥淏ut it鈥檚 so meaningful to invite someone like Cease to share that wisdom with us. It鈥檚 especially important for newcomers to Canada鈥攖hey get to learn not just outdoor skills but also about the people and cultures that were here long before settlers arrived.鈥�

鈥淩epresentation matters in outdoor spaces too.鈥� she said.

鈥淲e love collaborating with instructors of colour, helping them share their skills and take on leadership roles within the community,鈥� said Martins.

鈥淚t鈥檚 inspiring to see how these events create new opportunities for growth and connection.鈥�

For Squamish residents, Martins left a clear message.

鈥淪quamish is, you know, the outdoor adventure capital,鈥� she said. 鈥淐ommunity starts with an invitation. If you have skills, gear, or experience, share them with people who want to learn but don鈥檛 know how to get started.鈥�

鈥淚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鈥攎eet new people and bring them into your circle. It will only help everyone have better access to the outdoors.鈥�