As a solo girly, I take pride in being able to enjoy things alone. From dinners and concerts, to traveling and shopping – I will gladly pull up by myself.
But I would be lying if I didn’t acknowledge that at times it can be lonely.
Not the actual events, but usually the moments after.
Just imagine being in a stadium with 70,000 people – singing along to your favorite artist, then coming home to complete silence and solitude.
It’s literally a night and day experience.
But thank God for community.
Because in those silent, still moments, I can look at my calendar and there’s usually an event hosted by Peace in the Wild coming soon.
Peace in the Wild is an organization that reconnects Black people to nature through community and nature-based activities.
I came across their TikTok in spring 2024 while looking for outdoor activities to do alone in Georgia, and I was instantly sold for a number of reasons:
Everybody was black
The comments were full of past event goers raving about how great of a time they had
There wasn’t a membership fee (cause I don’t know about you, but I don’t need another bill)
So I decided to follow them and join their channel on the Heylo app. I was met with friendly welcomes and virtual warmth that I had never experienced before...
They had a calendar of events open to the public and next up was kayaking.
So I signed up, paid the small fee and boom next thing you know I was on the water with about 30 other people I didn’t know.
But, I felt safe.
Safe because everyone looked like me.
Safe because everything was super organized, from the collecting of allergies and mental health concerns, to requiring an emergency contact (fun fact: I always put my Aunt).
And safe because ultimately I’m covered by the most high.
That kayaking event took place almost a year and a half ago, and since then I’ve participated in a number of events hosted by Peace in the Wild:
Horseback Riding
Hiking
An Aqua Park Adventure
Indoor Rock Climbing
Self Defense Class
6-Week Swim Program
Atlanta Streets Alive Festival
…Just to name a few.
But this next event would take me completely out of my comfort zone…
Camping.
Like, real camping.
Like, sleeping in a tent on the grass camping.
But just like with any other Peace in the Wild event, I didn’t overthink it. I knew if I was with Taylor (the founder) and the outdoor leaders I would be fine.
So, I signed up.
Then I thought about it, like… wait a minute. Did I just sign up to sleep outside?
But the money had been paid, so I rolled with it.
And because Peace in the Wild is so organized, they already laid out everything I’d need for the experience:
Tent
Ground tarp
Sleeping pad
Blanket
Flashlight/headlamp
Yoga mat
Warm layers for nighttime
Shower shoes
Medications
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Reusable water bottle
And so much more.
So, I did what all of the other future campers did. I went shopping and got everything I needed for this 21-hour getaway.
But it was something about my tent, that really changed things for me…
It was the week of the event and I really wanted to take a stab at assembling it.
Just so I didn’t have to be a bother when I got to the camp grounds.
And yall, it was not an easy task.
First off, the tent I got was huge – like literally meant for 4 people.
Then, I was trying to assemble it indoors but there was no way to get the poles in the ground cause like… I have carpet.
And three, I was a little distracted because I was watching old episodes of Love and Hip Hop Atlanta (did you ever really love me, Steebie?).
So with all that going on I decided to take a break.
And as I sat in my clean, air conditioned home, on my cozy couch, it hit me….
Some people actually live in tents.
Like, it’s not a quick outdoor adventure…it’s their home. Rain, heat, wind, they’re outside.
Then I thought about how it was a luxury to even have a tent. Like, some people live outside and don’t even have that.
These reflections brought me back to a couple of weeks ago, when I volunteered with my new friend Relle to help pass out food to the homeless.
We met through my other new friend Mia at a (you guessed it) Peace in the Wild event.
For Relle’s birthday she wanted to feed the homeless. So she cooked this big meal, and me, her, and two of her other friends walked the streets of Atlanta and passed out food.
The people were so thankful, so appreciative and to my surprise… so full of joy.
As they huddled up under the bridges, sat on park benches, and laid in their tents they were still full of joy.
So instead of getting annoyed that I couldn’t put this tent up alone, I found myself thankful that sleeping in it was optional.
Like, I’m doing this for a night to have a good time with other like-minded people, not because I have to.
Then the gratitude just kept pouring in…
I was thankful that I could afford the tent.
Thankful that after my bills were paid, I could afford the fee to attend the camping trip.
Thankful that I have a working and reliable car that could get me to the camp site.
Thankful that I have money to fill up my gas tank.
Thankful that the car issues I was having last week, weren’t as big of a deal as I thought they were.
Thankful that if I didn’t want to cook before I left, I could stop by Waffle House for some food (and did).
Thankful that my body is healthy and strong enough to pack my suitcase, bring it down stairs and pack my car.
Thankful that I was in the right mental state to even do this!
And thankful that after the hour long drive, I could spend the next 21-hours with other people who value community and the outdoors too.
Listen, camping was… amazing.
I loved everything from shopping for the items, to packing my car, to driving to the grounds.
I loved getting help with my tent and bringing items to and from my car.
I enjoyed seeing familiar faces, the group conversations and the intimate ones.
I was honored to meet the owner of the land. A beautiful, warm, and welcoming Black Woman by the name of Junnetta – who shared her story on how she acquired this space, why she named it BoMax, and so much more.
I also enjoyed the meal she prepared us – 10/10.
I’m thankful that we were all safe and protected while on the land.
There were no accidents, no wild animals running up, no unexpected fires…nothing.
Just simply peace in the wild.
And lastly, I’m thankful that I have these memories that will last me a lifetime.
Listen, spending time alone is great and I highly recommend it. But there’s absolutely nothing like community.
Til next time, peace.
