5 Reasons Affinity Groups Should Participate in Your Outdoor Org’s Community Engagement Strategy

By Founder and Executive Director Simone Adams

Outdoor spaces should feel like they belong to all of us. Yet, as organizations are scaling back on traditional diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the need for cultural understanding and true community engagement is stronger than ever. And trust that your community is watching you take away those DEI initiatives while your organization still struggles to achieve basic cultural competency. Yes, the outdoors has plenty of room for everyone, but historically, not everyone has felt welcome around the campfire. Enter affinity groups.

What Are Affinity Groups, Anyway?

Affinity groups are intentional, inclusive gatherings where people with shared underrepresented identities can connect, explore, and celebrate the outdoors together. Think of them as mini communities within the larger outdoor world, spaces where folks can feel safe and seen. In the outdoors, these groups create a sense of home for communities that may have felt like visitors in an otherwise beautiful but distant space. By investing in activities for affinity groups, organizations can build lasting relationships and show that the outdoor world is open for everyone to enjoy. Here’s why they’re key to creating a culture that doesn’t just speak to inclusion but lives it.

Representation in Action

Affinity groups bring representation to life. Imagine seeing someone who looks like you, shares your story, and loves the outdoors in a way that feels familiar. When organizations support these groups, they’re not just checking off a box – they’re making it possible for everyone to feel like they belong in the outdoor narrative. And when we see ourselves represented, we feel invited to explore even deeper. That means we will spend the time and the dollars to keep engaged with that activity. 

Creating Safe Havens

Outdoor spaces should feel open and inviting, but for many, the outdoors doesn’t come with a welcome mat. Affinity groups transform spaces that may feel unfamiliar, imposing, or even threatening into a sanctuary where people can drop their guard, express themselves, and explore nature without judgment. These groups empower individuals to embrace the outdoors on their own terms, helping folks feel safer and more connected. Organizations that invest in these havens send a clear message: “We care about your comfort and belonging out here.”

Swapping Stories and Skills

In affinity groups, knowledge flows freely with tips and advice that resonate on a personal level. Whether it’s a Black biking group discussing gear that works with natural hair or a women’s climbing group sharing safety tips on traveling solo or a Latin camping group sharing recipes for their fave backpacking meals, these spaces foster an exchange of valuable, lived experiences. Organizations that invest in affinity groups help create networks where skills and confidence grow, bridging gaps that typical outdoor communities might overlook.

Building Friendships that Last Beyond the Trail

Affinity groups are where real connections are made and community roots grow deep. These are spaces where friendships form that go beyond a weekend hike or camping trip. They become support systems people carry with them into daily life. When organizations back affinity groups, they’re investing in authentic relationships and showing they’re not just in it for the business but for the community, too.

Spurring Positive Change in Outdoor Culture

Affinity groups have the power to challenge and shape outdoor culture, demonstrating what a truly inclusive environment can look like. When people feel heard and valued, they start conversations that push boundaries and open doors. By creating space for these voices, organizations help make the outdoors a place where everyone has a say in shaping the narrative.

Wrapping It Up with a Bowline Knot

Outdoor organizations have a unique opportunity to build something truly lasting by embracing affinity groups. It’s about more than marketing or following trends; it’s about building real bridges to communities that have always had a place in the outdoors but haven’t always felt welcome there. If organizations want to make a lasting impact, they should start creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. Because frankly, the outdoors is big enough for us all.

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