SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, 2022–(COMMERCIAL WIRE)–For second consecutive Year, hipcamp Y REI will partner to sponsor Outdoor Journal Tour’s #we walk to heal, a month-long outdoor wellness initiative focused on improving mental health outcomes for women in the United States. This continuing partnership marks the brands’ shared commitment to promoting access to the outdoors and encouraging diversity in outdoor spaces.
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For the second year in a row, Hipcamp and REI will partner to sponsor the Outdoor Journal Tour’s #WeHikeToHeal, a month-long outdoor wellness initiative focused on improving mental health outcomes for women in the United States. (Photo: Business Wire)
Sunday, May 1 marks the start of #WeHikeToHeal in-person and remote offerings. Activities include weekly guided group walks across the country, daily guided meditations, and journaling guidelines. The campaign’s culminating event is an all-inclusive camp and retreat at a black-owned ranch in Crawfordsville, Georgia, May 28-30.
COVID-19 has made getting out more important than ever, especially for women.
In the US, women’s mental health has been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 53 percent of women reported that the pandemic had a significant negative impact on their mental health, compared to 37 percent of men in a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundationa nonprofit organization that focuses on health policy issues.
The American Psychological Association points to growing evidence that time outdoors brings multiple physical and psychological benefits, from stress reduction to mood regulation and improved emotional well-being.
How Hipcamp and REI support outdoor access together.
“The opportunity to connect women across the country with the benefits of time outdoors is what makes our work with the Outdoor Journal Tour so special,” said Kristen Vasan, director of partnerships for Hipcamp. “We are also delighted to deepen our partnership with REI by co-sponsoring this important initiative.”
Hipcamp will play a major role in the initiative’s weekend camp and retreat. In addition to sponsoring accommodation for the event, which will be held at one of Hipcamp’s top-rated sites, bomax ranchHipcamp will also fund an all expense paid scholarship for the retreat.
“The #WeHikeToHeal initiative is an incredible opportunity to help people experience the healing power of the great outdoors,” said Jenny Avalos, REI Program Manager of Inclusion Marketing Partnerships. “By continuing our work with Hipcamp and the Outdoor Journal Tour, we can encourage more women to turn to nature to bring solace and comfort to their lives.”
REI will provide gear for the culminating event, including camping gear, gift bags, as well as an outdoor meditative art activity for participants.
“We’re thrilled to be working with REI and Hipcamp again this year to get more women outdoors to connect with themselves, each other and Mother Nature!” said Outdoor Journal Tour co-founder Michelle Jackson-Saulters.
Where to register:
To register for #WeHikeToHeal events, visit www.outdoorjournaltour.com/wehiketoheal
Social Media Links:
hipcamp: @hipcamp
REI: @REI
Outdoor Daily Tour: @outdoorjournaltour
About Hipcamp
Founded in 2013, hipcamp is the world’s largest provider of outdoor rooms. Gives a growing community of like-minded people the opportunity to list, discover, and book unique outdoor experiences. The fully remote company operates in the United States, Australia, and Canada, and to date has helped people spend more than 6 million nights under the stars. By posting on Hipcamp, farmers, ranchers, vintners, and other landowners generate new sources of income to conserve their land and keep it wild. By making it easy to get outdoors, Hipcamp protects habitat and supports a growing love of the land.
About the REI Cooperative
REI is an outdoor specialty retailer, based near Seattle. REI, the nation’s largest consumer cooperative, is a growing community of 21.5 million members who expect and love top-quality equipment, inspiring expert classes and tours, and excellent customer service. REI has 174 locations in 41 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI output or the REI Shopping App. REI is not just about the team. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner to advanced level classes and workshops on a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes outdoor living possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofit organizations that create access to and manage the great outdoors that inspire us all.
About the outdoor diary tour
In the summer of 2015, Outdoor Journal Tour founders Kenya and Michelle Jackson-Saulters had the idea of getting a small group of friends together to hike Stone Mountain near Atlanta, Georgia. The plan was for the women to climb to the top and write their goals in a journal. But once they opened their eyes (after a short meditation) they noticed that two new faces had joined the group. The women explained that they had seen the group and felt compelled to join. That’s when Kenya and Michelle had their “aha” moment. And ODJT was born. The Outdoor Journal Tour community and #wehiketoheal campaign are designed for women who want to further their personal development but don’t feel seen in traditional self-help spaces. #wehiketoheal is a month-long outdoor wellness experience that combines the principles of mindfulness with outdoor activity. Participants have the opportunity to explore scenic landscapes and hiking trails while being guided through a process of personal discovery that empowers them and uses physical activity, journaling, and meditation as healing tools. Learn more on his website at outdoorjournaltour.com.
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contacts
Lydia Davey
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