How Purpose, Nature, and Community Are Healing Young Men
It’s a weird time. Uncertainty looms; about jobs, climate, safety, identity. More young people say they feel anxious, disconnected or lonely. Yet new research points to something surprisingly simple: a sense of purpose, rooted in contribution and community, may be one of the most reliable paths to well-being.
At Camping to Connect, we work with young men of color in the outdoors because we believe their story, their voice, and their journey matter. And we believe nature and community are powerful tools in unlocking purpose.
The Data Doesn’t Lie
According to research from Purpose & Identity Processes Lab at Cornell University, when young people were invited to choose a contribution (to their community, family or self) and then take action, their sense of well-being, belonging and usefulness increased significantly in just 6–8 weeks.
From the Movember Foundation: men face disproportionate risks of mental-health issues and suicide. For example, in the U.S., about 4 out of 5 suicides are men.
Also: 34 % of men fear their job would be at risk if they discussed mental health at work; stigma remains high.
Research from nature-based programs show that when young people engage in structured time in nature, mentorship and community, they report fewer depressive symptoms, more hope, better relationships and sustained improvements.
What This Means for Young Men
Many young men of color navigate unique pressures: historically under-engaged outdoor spaces, racial and cultural isolation, fewer spaces to explore purpose beyond survival.
These data point to a direct pathway: belonging + contribution + nature = increased well-being.
At C2C we’ve seen this play out: when a young man leads a hike, mentors his peers, shares his story by a campfire, he starts to internalize: “I matter. My voice matters.”
Purpose doesn’t have to be grand. The Cornell study emphasises that even modest contributions matter.
Nature provides the context: away from daily grind, away from screen noise, the outdoors becomes a classroom for connection, responsibility and self-worth.
How Camping to Connect Puts It Into Practice
Here are how we translate these insights into action with our programs:
Rotating Leadership Roles: Every participant gets the chance to lead as timekeeper, navigator, photographer, etc., so they move from observer to contributor.
C2C LLR model (Learn → Lead → Reflect): We design experiences that help young men build skills, take charge, and look inward.
Discussion Protocols + reflection time: We give space for connection and articulation of what matters. In nature, simpler settings help deeper conversations.
Service and Outward Contribution: We don’t only hike and sleep outdoors, we teach Leave No Trace principles, we partner with community–nature projects, peer-mentoring. Purpose lives in doing for others.
Peer Mentorship + Adult Allyship: Men of color need models. We provide peers and adult mentors who reflect them.
Nature as Equalizer: Out on the trail, titles fade, camaraderie matter more than status. Shared challenge creates belonging.
The Bigger Impact: Why It Matters Now
With high rates of loneliness, anxiety and disconnection among young men, especially young men of color, we cannot rely solely on individual self-help. The data suggest the lever is community + purpose.
Nature amplifies what we know about purpose: when you see yourself as part of something bigger, your mental and physical health improve.
For organizations, funders, educators seeking impact: invest in experiences that provide structured purpose, nature-based settings, and mentorship, not just one-off events.
For participants: the journey isn’t linear. Purpose may shift. But what matters is the habit of doing small contributions, small steps, reflecting and repeating.
We invite you to ask this question: “What contribution can I make this week that lights me up and serves someone else?”
Then act. Even if it’s small. Maybe it’s helping a peer or a neighbour, volunteering for a cause you feel strong about, or sharing your story around a campfire.
Together we redefine what it means to be connected, purposeful and fulfilled in outdoor spaces.
In a world that tells young men to “man up” and deal alone, the truth is simpler and more radical: you don’t need to fix everything, or even yourself. You need to connect, to contribute, to belong. Nature reminds us of both how small we are and how meaningful we can be.
At Camping to Connect we’re helping young men of color discover that their purpose is their power, and that when purpose meets community and nature, happiness isn’t a destination; it’s the by-product.
