The Sierra Club and Latino Outdoors collaborated with local nonprofit The Next Door to offer a free, Spanish-language Latino Hike Leader training on Aug. 20-21. The training took place primarily on Indian Creek Trail and covered all the essential skills for preparing and going on a hike, as well as skills for leading groups in the outdoors.
According to Program Coordinator Bianca Fernandez, “The goals of this pilot program are to help Spanish-speaking community members spend time outdoors with greater confidence, and most importantly, to make the connection between health and time in nature. When people spend time outside, their physical, emotional and mental health all benefit. And when people are healthier, the whole community benefits.”
The Next Door will soon launch a program offering regular hiking opportunities for Latino/Spanish-speaking community members. Using their new skills, the newly trained Latino Hike Leaders will lead group outings in our region’s plentiful natural areas, guiding fellow community members in enjoying the outdoors and all the health benefits that come from time in nature.
The hiking program will use Hood River Community Ed vans to transport community members to trailheads. This program is also generously supported by Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital and REI.
This training and pilot program are part of the Oregon Health & Outdoors Initiative, which supports communities in their efforts to improve health by spending more time outdoors more often. Information is available at oregon.healthand-outdoors.org.
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