Author: Kate Lemon, North Country Trail Association
Bus for Outdoor Access & Teaching (BOAT) participants. Courtesy of BOAT.
The North Country Trail Association’s (NCTA) Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee awarded a mini-grant to the Bus for Outdoor Access and Teaching (BOAT) to attend the Michigan Ice Fest in the Upper Peninsula (UP) this February. BOAT partnered with Detroit Outdoors, who, alongside at least five additional Detroit organizations, recruited a diverse audience of Detroiters to attend the program. Of the 28 participants, 24 identified as people of color.
This trip was meant to introduce a group normally recreating in the Detroit area to the UP, the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST), ice climbing, and other winter activities. The group successfully navigated blizzards, subzero temperatures, and long days exposed to the elements.
You can apply for a mini-grant to promote Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion on the North Country Trail on the North Country Trail Association’s website.
Learn more about BOAT and Detroit Outdoor at theboatbus.com and detroitoutdoors.org
