Hipcamp and REI Partner to champion women’s mental health via #WeHikeToHeal for second year
For the second consecutive year, Hipcamp and REI will partner to sponsor Outdoor Journal Tour’s #WeHikeToHeal, a month-long outdoor wellness initiative focused on improving mental health outcomes for women across the United States.
This continued partnership marks the brands’ shared commitment to promoting access to the outdoors and encouraging diversity in outdoor spaces.
Sunday, May 1, marks the beginning of #WeHikeToHeal in-person and remote offerings. Activities include weekly guided group hikes across the nation, daily guided meditations, and journaling prompts. The campaign’s culminating event is an all-inclusive campout and retreat at a Black-owned ranch in Crawfordsville, Georgia, May 28-30.
COVID-19 has made getting outside more important than ever – especially for women.
Across the U.S., women’s mental health has been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fully 53 percent of women reported that the pandemic had a significant negative impact on their mental health, compared with 37 percent of men in a poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on health policy issues.
The American Psychological Association points to mounting evidence that time outside carries multiple physical and psychological benefits, from stress reduction to mood regulation to improved emotional wellbeing.
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 Outdoor Journal Tour so special,” said Kristen Vasan, Head of Partnerships at Hipcamp. “We’re also thrilled to deepen our partnership with REI by sponsoring this important initiative together.”
Hipcamp will play a major role in the initiative’s end-of-month campout and retreat. In addition to sponsoring accommodations for the event, which will be hosted at one of Hipcamp’s top-rated sites, BoMax Ranch, Hipcamp will also fund an all-expenses-paid scholarship to the retreat.
”The #WeHikeToHeal initiative is an incredible opportunity to help people experience the healing power of the outdoors,” said Jenny Avalos, REI program manager of inclusion marketing partnerships. “In continuing our work with Hipcamp and Outdoor Journal Tour, we can encourage more women to turn to nature to bring solace and comfort into their lives.”
REI will provide gear for the culminating event, including camping gear, gift bags, as well as an meditative art outdoors activity for participants.
“We are thrilled to be working with REI and Hipcamp again this year to get more women outdoors connecting with themselves, each other, and Mother Nature!” said Outdoor Journal Tour Co-Founder Michelle Jackson-Saulters.
Where to register:
To register for #WeHikeToHeal events, please visit www.outdoorjournaltour.com/wehiketoheal
Social Media Links:
Hipcamp: @hipcamp
REI: @REI
Outdoor Journal Tour: @outdoorjournaltour
#WeHikeToHeal #REI #Hipcamp #MentalHealth
