Connecting With Nature

Xiang was coaching climbers as part of the final climbing session with Asian Girls Ignite (AGI) at Staunton State Park. Earlier this year, for eight weeks, the girls in the program took their skills from beginners at a rock climbing gym to testing themselves on outdoor routes of a real Colorado mountainside.

I was honored to attend and witness first-hand how Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) Outdoor Equity Grants invest in Colorado community organizations. By supporting programs that offer outdoor opportunities for underserved communities, CPW’s Outdoor Equity Grants help create more equal access to the benefits of spending time outside.

The Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Program was established to help outdoor organizations focused on creating opportunities for youth and their families from communities who have been historically excluded, so that they have equitable opportunities to get involved in recreational activities and to experience Colorado’s open spaces, state parks, public lands and other outdoor areas. The program is supported by the Colorado legislature, nonprofit organizations, as well as Governor Jared Polis, and is funded by lottery money that is allocated to CPW’s general fund.

Programs or projects given grants play a crucial role in addressing the underlying challenges faced by Colorado youth when it comes to exploring the outdoors. This assistance extends to youth from both urban, inner-city environments and rural communities. The goal of CPW’s grants is to reduce barriers for all Coloradans and make valuable strategic investments that improve the lives and well-being of our local youth and their families.

As part of this Outdoor Equity Grant Program, Asian Girls Ignite received $78,000 from CPW in 2022, which was used to organize community events, expand outdoor programming, hire additional staff, and further connect young girls with a community of women passionate about the outdoors. 

Predominantly crafted by women of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) descent, AGI provides educational initiatives tailored for middle and high school girls. These programs are anchored around storytelling, rooted in social-emotional learning, and draw inspiration from the rich tapestry of AAPI culture and history.

“Being a mentor for the AGI Ascenders program has been exactly what I’ve been looking for in a volunteer opportunity: getting to share my love of climbing while empowering young women from diverse, not typically represented backgrounds to learn new skills and become confident in their own abilities has been such a fulfilling experience. The girls have picked up everything so quickly and are always willing to try, even when it’s outside of their comfort zones, which I really appreciate.”

 – Keriann, Storyteller

In April, the AGI Ascenders Program kicked off at Movement Baker, a rock gym in southwest Denver. In four sessions over eight weeks, a group of girls were invited to hone their climbing skills indoors before taking what they learned outdoors. 

The first session covered bouldering, a type of free climbing without the use of ropes or harnesses that follows a set route of small artificial rock formations of varying difficulty. The second and third sessions were all about top rope and belaying. This involves climbing while attached to a rope and harness system. The system runs from the climber, up through an anchor system at the top of the climbing route, and back down to a belayer. The belayer is in charge of controlling the rope’s tension while the climber makes their way up and down the rock wall.

To celebrate the final session, AGI took their climbing to Staunton State Park, led by Xiao Xiang, a professional climbing instructor and owner/operator of Swingo, currently the only AAPI-woman-run guiding company along the Front Range. While the outing at Staunton might’ve ended early due to a rogue hail storm, observing these young people embark on this rock-climbing adventure in the weeks leading up to this session was a testament to the continued importance of diversity and mentorship in the outdoor recreation space.

“The climbing program has been such an amazing experience for me because I have been able to gain more exposure to climbing while hearing inspirational stories from Asian women! I walk away each time feeling inspired and grateful that the AGI outdoors program has given me so many memorable experiences.” 

– Katie, 9th Grade

The girls in the program learned a series of skills like how to navigate their individual routes, that struggles and triumphs can intertwine and how to embrace a collective sense of assurance and camaraderie. The rock walls turn into metaphorical mirrors, reflective of life’s everyday challenges and calling on qualities of perseverance, adaptability and trust.

Maybe I’m giving myself too much credit here, but the revelation that I was proud to come by is how rock climbing is like a microcosm of the human experience, where the convergence of diverse backgrounds allows for profound personal and collective growth. Diversity here isn’t just a matter of individual representation but a transformative power that enriches entire communities.

When individuals from different walks of life come together, a vibrant exchange of ideas and perspectives occurs. This exchange challenges assumptions, breaks down stereotypes, and fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for one another. It invites us to question our own biases and preconceived notions and recognize the potential within each individual, regardless of who they are and where they come from.

Diversity in the outdoor recreation space does a wonderful thing of promoting equity and access to nature. Historically, certain communities have faced barriers and systemic injustices that limit their engagement with outdoor activities — a lack of representation, economic disparities, as well as cultural and even language barriers, to cite a specific few. By creating an environment of inclusivity and learning, AGI is helping to dismantle these barriers and provide opportunities for underrepresented groups to connect with nature, experience the healing power of the outdoors, and develop a sense of belonging. Even just the presence of these coaches from their own diverse backgrounds serves as a powerful tool, instilling confidence in a younger generation to believe in their own capabilities and to pursue their aspirations, both on and off the rocks.

Seeing these kids reach new heights with support from these coaches was a reminder of the grace and strength found within diversity. A reminder that every individual has an exceptional contribution to make, and by embracing our differences, we can create a more vibrant, inclusive, and compassionate outdoor community. When we open the doors of adventure to everyone, we not only expand our understanding of what’s possible, but we help to create a space where individuals can find solace, belonging and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website to learn more about the Outdoor Equity Grant Program and how to apply.

Written by Ryan Jones. Ryan is a visual coordinator for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.