here’s the why

behind what we do

As humans, we need to spend time in nature. Not only does being outdoors impact your mental and physical wellbeing, it increases your quality of life as well. At Out and About Travels, we believe that access to nature is a necessity that should be available to all.

Unfortunately, there have been many recent attacks on our beautiful federal lands. Nature has turned into a luxury that has become inaccessible to many individuals, particularly minority groups like the LGBTQ+ community. When access to the outdoors is available, there are a multitude of safety concerns that queer individuals must face. Our purpose at Out and About Travels is to break down the barriers that the LGBTQ+ community faces and make the outdoors a safe, welcoming place for all minorities.

Benefits to being in nature:

  • higher levels of vitamin D

  • improved mental health symptoms

  • reduced stress

  • improved memory and cognitive functioning

  • increased activity levels and physical health

  • improved mood / life satisfaction

  • improvements to your sleep cycle

  • increased confidence levels

  • boosts to your immune system

Statistics show that LGBTQ+ individuals are the most active adult population; in 2023, 60% of the queer community participated in outdoor recreation.

Even with such obvious interest levels, the LGBTQ+ community is continuously underserved and unwelcomed in the outdoor sphere. Out and About Travels is one of very few organizations that focuses on knocking down the barriers that the queer community faces in outdoor spaces. Some common barriers include:

  • A large percentage of the LGBTQIA+ community lives in urban communities or areas with little to no access to parks, lakes, forests, or other outdoor areas.

  • Climate change is wreaking havoc on our world, and it disproportionately effects low-income and minority communities, specifically our BIPOC community members.

  • According to NPS (National Parks Service) data, our national park employees miss the mark when it comes to representing the American population. Nearly 80% of NPS employees are white, with over 60% identifying as male. Very little data on queer individuals in outdoor spaces exists. Most queer, trans, and BIPOC individuals don’t have people they can identify with in outdoor spaces, which makes these spaces more intimidating. People who are disabled, plus-size, or neuro-diverse see even less representation.

  • There are countless stories of marginalized people experiencing hate, discrimination, and bigotry in parks and other outdoor spaces. Things like taking a solo hike, camping with some friends, or taking a float trip on a rural river become increasingly more terrifying when you have to worry about the dangers of the people around you.

  • There is a huge lack of third spaces in the United States that are free to visit. Many of the nation’s natural wonders have been commodified and can have a steep price tag to view. Out and About Travels hopes to reduce this struggle by providing free and low-cost programs in Southwest Missouri, as well as awarding scholarships and reduced program fees to those in our community who need it.