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"I see stars out here." - Sean, Camping to Connect participant
Your investment helps more underserved young men leave the city and experience the wonder of the night sky.
Closing the “Nature Gap”
For young people, growing up without regular access to nature can have lasting ripple effects well into adulthood. Research shows that shared outdoor experiences reduce stress, boost physical health, and contribute to stronger educational outcomes.
Camping to Connect brings young men of color out of the city and into fully immersive nature experiences. Through outdoor education and mentorship led by men who look like them—our trip leaders are all men of color—we create space to address the challenges these young men face, in language and settings that resonate.
We need your help.
We’ve set bold goals for 2025:
Expand Our Reach: Serve 400+ BIPOC youth across New York City and Denver.
Strengthen Connections: Offer stipends and part-time roles to alumni, youth interns, and facilitators.
Build Our Team: Grow our part-time staff to over 10 and enhance training and development.
Support the Work: Cover essential operational costs—insurance, transportation, meals, gear, storage, and more.
Create Memories: Hike more than 3,000 collective miles and share over 500 s’mores under the stars.
To achieve this, we're aiming to raise $500,000 by the end of 2025.
Your support—at any level—makes this possible.
Checks and money orders can be made payable to Young Masterminds Initiative and sent to:
Young Masterminds Initiative, Inc.
137 Montague Street, Ste 185
Brooklyn, NY 11201
or
3710 S. Emporia Way, V202
Aurora, CO 80014
