Camping & Overlanding While Black - Panel Discussion

[@franklindjservices9844]

I love what I'm hearing. I came across your channel while surfacing the web. My wife and I are avid tent campers and enjoy mountain camping, rustic excursions and some state parks. As Black folk, we are excited whenever we meet others of color who enjoy camping. I retired in August 2022 after nearly 40 years in Higher Ed. Time to explore the greater world and I welcome connecting, networking and sharing learning opportunities of the great outdoors. -- Willie

[@PhilCherry3]

Necota, I grew up like you in the northeast corner of NC. The woods were a second home to my brothers & me.

[@StaplesInTents]

Thank you for all of your comments! The panel discussion was great and we hope to have more.

[@deeinkc]

Great conversation!

[@corleyoutdoors2887]

Much needed discussion in today’s climate.

[@PhilCherry3]

Ron, Thanks for making that comment about letting go of the "trauma and terror of the woods."

[@StaplesInTents]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@mrBlakout]

Be situationally aware. And no matter how nice someone may or may not be, never say that you are alone... I always tell strangers that Im the first one in and will be either meeting someone who is already out there or I say that a few others are on their way in behind me.

[@StaplesInTents]

Great tip!

[@PhilCherry3]

Necota made a great point about using state parks.

[@bakerfamilyoverland996]

This was really great....so glad we found you guys👍🏾

[@StaplesInTents]

So glad you enjoyed it. Make sure you sign up for our mailing list…more discussions to come.

[@PhilCherry3]

Taressa made a great point about walk-in sites vs. drive in sites. She is also correct about avoiding late arrival & night time setups.

[@PhilCherry3]

I have had great success in year's past using walkie talkies with 2-4 mile range in places where cell service was weak or non-existent.

[@Northern_Ty]

I thank you guys again for hosting this discussion, the biggest question that our team had was in how folks are dealing with safety as we venture further away from our comfort zones - especially with little ones in tow. Great to hear from the panel about how you guys manage these situations, and based Necota's recommendation we'll probably continue on with bear spray as our deterrent for the time being.

[@StaplesInTents]

So glad you joined and found the conversation beneficial. The bear spray is the the goal and shortly after this, we had a security guard tell us he even uses it in urban environments, kinda like tear gas🤷🏾‍♀️

[@veldasellers4021]

We are sitting here on the couch, hot apple cider with a splash of Jim Beam. Feels like we are gathered with you just like a campfire chat. Thank you so much for this well needed and candid discussion.Things just need to be said. ❤

[@StaplesInTents]

Thank you so much for joining. Next time we’ll have us a some cocktails!

[@franny5295]

For parents who are concerned but don't want to risk firearms because, at least I don't think young kids should ever be trusted with their own mortal safety and I've taught my son firearm safety but he's still a kid, I highly suggest a product called SABRE home defense pepper gel. You can safely deploy it inside a tent and it won't blow back on you like a spray outside. And if the kids get hold of it it'll hurt such that they never touch it again but it won't hurt anything that won't heal. Edited to add: I will only camp at state parks because if people act crazy they will be kicked out. State parks don't want the legal liability of knowing they left somebody in the park that was proven to be dangerous and they hurt somebody. I'm an army veteran. Killing people is not as easy to sleep with as one might think. However justified it may have been at the time. If nothing else, it will probably cost you your peace. Edited one more time: Thanks for the suggestion about Hipcamping. I didn't know about that. I thought it was either "civilized" or "wild" and I'm not trying to be out like that with my 6 year son. A negative experience at that age can have lingering effects.

[@AtocenTube]

The SABRE is a good recommendation. Safe but still effective if needed. Thanks for the comment!