Blackpackers
Colorado, Rocky Mountains, West Coast
Outdoor Education (WFR, WFA, CPR/First Aid), Camping, Skiing/Snowboarding, Climbing, Hiking, Swim Lessons, etc.
A 501(c)(3) Organization offering free or subsidized programming in outdoor recreation and outdoor education to systemically underserved communities in Colorado.
Blackpackers is an organization founded in 2019 to address the gap in representation in the outdoors by meeting those at the intersection of economic vulnerability and underrepresentation. Patricia, the founder of Blackpackers and a single mother, herself struggled with the means and knowledge to take her young son on outdoor adventures. After saving up money working weeks of overtime as an EMT to buy her initial set of backpacking gear, she embarked on her first overnight backpacking trip–alone, and in a snowstorm. Now, as a Wilderness EMT, Certified Interpretative Guide, Leave No Trace Master Educator, and NOLS graduate, she hopes to make it easier for everyone to access the outdoors by making the initial investment for them.
Our mission:
Blackpackers meets those at the intersection of economic vulnerability and under-representation through professionally guided and outfitted curriculum-based programming.
We provide this for free or at a subsidized cost to all participants.
Lastly, we strive to connect participants with career certifications and connections to facilitate their entry into one of Colorado's most profitable economic industries. In these way we can create economic equity in outdoor recreation.