FAQs
What’s with the name?
A homage to the 1991 movie “Boyz N The Hood,” which focuses on three Black men in their late teens coming of age in the Crenshaw district of South Central Los Angeles. The friends come from different backgrounds and have different approaches to surviving the neighborhood, including Tre’s father showing him what it means to have a sense of responsibility as a black male in an atmosphere of Black male violence against each other that pervades their neighborhoods.
Who is welcome to participate?
Our target demographic is currently folks who identify as Black men, ages 21-38 (loose boundaries). No other qualifications are necessary to participate.
If you are:
Seeking opportunity to take a break and recuperate
Interested in connecting with other Black men and building brotherhood and accountability
Open to discussions and workshops centered around updating the toolkit you have to support your mental health
Willing to challenge yourself, explore the outdoors, and have new experiences
Then this experience is for you
What is the cost?
Our goal is to be able to provide these retreats and experiences with little to no cost to participants. We will communicate any potential costs to you in advance of the training but anticipate that it would be limited to gas/transportation costs to/from the location.
Is transportation provided?
We will do our best to either provide transportation in a collective vehicle, or connect you with other participants to travel together.
Where would I be staying?
3 nights of lodging will be provided, potentially two people to a room based on type of lodging.
Camping/backcountry experiences will be tents/shared tents.
What would I be doing?
Outdoor activities will vary depending on location/region but may include rock climbing, paddling, mountain biking, hiking, and more.
All gear will be provided, suggested packing lists will also be included.
Prior experience is not needed for most activities, as a goal of the retreat is to be inclusive to all levels of connection with the outdoors. We will communicate the activities ahead of time so that you can check-in with program staff.
What is on the menu?
Meals are either prepared in group settings with groceries provided, or provided by the location. All meals will be included in the retreat, ending with lunch on Sunday. Feel free to communicate with the program team about dietary needs (i.e. vegetarian, gluten free, and nonallergic options).
Campfires and s’mores are a possibility, based on location and agenda.
What happens after the retreat?
We are developing systems of repeated connection (Zoom/Clubhouse chats) and opportunities to continue learning and engaging with the men from the retreat you have attended and the nationwide network, as well as resources developed by professionals to support physical and mental health.
Why nature? Why the outdoors?
We learn from Indigenous culture and traditional ecological knowledge that life is wholistic and complete when lived in connection with nature. The Children & Nature Network Research Library has also compiled extensive research on the benefits to spending time in nature.
General health benefits include but are not limited to: Better blood pressure, increased physical fitness, weight/obesity control, increased immune function, and increased levels of vitamin D. Mental health benefits include but are not limited to: Restoration, mood enhancement, stress relief, well-being/happiness, and resilience.
These are all health factors that have an exaggerated effect on the Black community, specifically Black men. Spending time in nature helps to support the physical health of men while also serving as the context for simultaneously supporting their mental health.