Hi everyone. Before we jump in I want to share an opportunity for you to submit

your Appalachian Trail story, whether it's a day hike, a through hike, a section hike,

or anything in between, for a special upcoming episode that's going to be made in

collaboration with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

We'd love to hear your memories from the AT and the significance of the trail in your off-trail life. That memory could have happened. the by heading to she hyphen explorers. com slash podcast.

Okay, on with the show.

I'm Gail Straub and you're listening to she explores. What does refuge mean for you this summer?

Refuge for me this summer. It continues to mean connection that in the midst of

everything going on that we are still connected people and being in the

outdoors is a form of connection and I say connection to the people

but connection to the land in the more than human world as some people refer to our animal family, non-human

animal family. So it's really about connection. It's all about connection.

This is Chavon Powell, founder of Refuge Outdoor Festival, a three-day camping experience geared towards people of color. The inaugural

festival took place outside Seattle in 2018.

This isn't your typical camping experience.

There are guided outdoor activities, workshops, community talks, and live music.

For Chavan, refuge means connection and community.

It means creating a safer space.

I know many of you listening take refuge in the outdoors.

And some of us take the freedom and the safety we feel on the trail,

the water, and in the backcountry for granted.

I'm going to speak just for myself here,

...