This summer, get outdoors - Resolve Philly

Germantown Info Hub has been covering the ways our neighbors take care of our green spaces and environment these past couple of months, as well as how a neighborhood gains health and wellness from clean and maintained green spaces.

But exactly why is it important to get outside? We’ve talked to experts from Prescribe Outside, Black Lotus Health Collective therapists, avid outdoor enthusiasts from Philly Gear Library, and educators from Coyote Tracks Youth Program.

The themes they brought up all continue to overlap. Getting outside helps with our mental health. It gives us a perspective of the bigger picture. And it grounds us to the earth we all live on.

Many of the outdoor enthusiasts we talked to want to ensure outdoor spaces and activities feel inviting and inclusive to everyone, including folks who may have historically been excluded or felt dismissed from these activities.

According to the Outdoor Industry Association’s 2024 annual report, Black folks make up a little over 10% of outdoor participants in their survey, which has grown slightly from previous years.

One organization centering inclusivity is Philly Gear Library, founded by Robin Roberts. Roberts has worked with Let’s Go Outdoors ( listed below) and other organizations in the city to provide training and outdoor gear to ensure that all outdoor spaces are as accessible and inclusive as possible for everyone.

“Land belongs to us,” says Roberts. “We shouldn’t feel fearful, even with our shared American history… we should not feel fearful about recreating outside.”

Germantown and the surrounding Northwest Philly area have many free and accessible outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy. We’ve compiled a small list of offerings this summer–some free and some with costs.

Let’s Go Outdoors

Tarsha Scovens and her sister Keisha Scovens are the co-founders of Let’s Go Outdoors and Let’s Go 1-2-3, which both center accessibility to outdoor experiences in the city and provide outdoor education, nature experiences, and diversity initiatives. They started with a mission to see more Black folks in the city in outdoor activities.

They partner with Friends of the Wissahickon, Fairmount Waterworks, Awbury Arboretum, Prescribe Outside, and many other outdoor spaces and community organizations to provide diverse and inclusive outdoor experiences. This year, they offer camping, hiking, fishing, archery, and other family programs. Check out their event calendar for what they and their partner organizations are doing this summer.

Philly Gear Library

Two years ago, Philly Gear Library was started to provide training and outdoor supplies to folks who “have or are experiencing cultural or systemic barriers to accessing outdoor experiences.” Director Robin Roberts hosts trainings throughout the year on how to use the different gear and affordable memberships to rent gear for camping and hiking trips. Their upcoming Camping Gear Orientation happens at Blue Bell Park on June 7, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Prescribe Outside

Prescribe Outside is a program that partners with doctors, outdoor educators from Let’s Go Outdoors, and outdoor locations to provide “prescriptions” to families to get outside, making outdoor experiences inviting, inclusive, and enjoyable. Programs are free, and many are scheduled at Awbury Arboretum this summer, including:

Archery Mini Session and Adventurewoods Trail Explore, Awbury Recreation Center, June 21: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., June 28: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Meet, Greet, and Walk with the Goats!, The Farm at Awbury Arboretum, June 7, 12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Coyote Tracks Youth Program

Coyote Tracks Youth Programs is part of the 4 Elements Earth Education organization, centering experiential education and teaching wilderness survival skills and ancient awareness. They host workshops and summer camps in the Wissahickon. Their upcoming Coyote Tracks Summer Day Camp happens at Historic Rittenhouse Town, from June 16 to July 18, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. It is for kids ages 8-12.

Philadelphia Free-Range Education

Philadelphia Free-Range Education works with families and communities in various settings to provide educational experiences with an earth-based and nature-connected curriculum. This summer, they are partnering with YJR Outdoors, Papertrail Bike Shop and Cafe, and Historic Rittenhouse Town to provide a Mountain Bike Summer Camp for youth ages 8-14 in Historic Rittenhouse Town and Wissahickon Park, June 23-28 and August 11-15, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Awbury Recreation Center

Awbury Recreation Center is on Ardleigh Street in East Germantown, and coordinators are rejuvenating their advisory council this year, scheduling regular clean-ups, and trying to improve the baseball fields and other outdoor spaces next to the center. Their summer camp is currently full, but they also have two rugby camps this season. Check their Facebook account for all of their updates.

Flag Rugby Summer Camp, Awbury Recreation Center, June 30-July 3, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. (Grades 2nd through 9th)
Emerging Girls Rugby Summer Camp, Awbury Recreation Center, August 18- August 22, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Grades 2nd through 12th)

Black Lotus Health Collective

Black Lotus Health Collective is located on the campus of Historic Rittenhouse Town, right next to the entrance to the Wissahickon Park. They offer regular Hike and Sit outings, nature-based therapy, and other healing modalities offered by their multiple practitioners, always centering on Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) healing. Check their Instagram for their latest outdoor offerings, including outdoor gatherings and regular programming this summer.

Other Opportunities

Try local meetups with Outdoor Afro, Hike + Heal, and We Walk Philly (some meet-ups are free, and some require membership costs with organizations).
To explore other outdoor possibilities this season and beyond, check out the calendars at Friends of the Wissahickon, Historic Rittenhouse Town, Wyck, Grumblethorpe, and other spaces throughout the area.