Exclusive for Black, Indigenious, People of Color.
Join Afrovivalist for a challenge to prepare for emergency evacuation. During this session you will be invited to prepare for this camping trip as if it were an actual emergency. Would you have what you need? Would you know how to get there? What obstacles might you face getting to your emergency base camp? This survival contest will test your readiness, or at the very least reveal what you need to be ready when the time comes. Download the activity guide below. Prizes will be awarded!
Afrovivalist has been preparing for a catastrophic disaster and practice wilderness survival skills. She is also preparing to live an off-grid, a self-reliant lifestyle. Afrovivalist wears many hats. She has held the title as Incident Commander for the State of Oregon Radiological Emergency Response Team, Emergency Preparedness Instructor at Saturday Academy, a Preparedness Consultant and Founder of deCamp Outdoors, an online Preparedness Camp.
It is her mission to share information with those who are interest in preparing for a man-made or natural disaster. She encourages others to be prepared for any emergency by having emergency kits, a food pantry Bug Out Bags (BOB) and Bug Out Locations (BOL) for unexpected situations.
J'reyesha is the artistic mind that helped design our BIPOC Nature Field Guide. She will facilitate a hike using this guide to explore and wonder about nature and our relationship with the natural world.
J’reyesha is a born and raised Portlander. She is a University of Portland alumni (’15), where she graduated with a degree in civil engineering with an environmental focus. She is a licensed Environmental engineer and currently works as a designer/project manager. She is passionate about environmental justice, civic engagement, and diversifying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
Outside of work she is a lifelong volunteer, currently holding roles in a variety of community organizations - President of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Portland Professionals, Good in the Hood Planning Committee, etc. Past commitments include Multnomah County Charter Committee Member and NAACP Portland's Environmental Justice Chair. In her spare time she manages a small vintage resale business and is an artist.
(NOTE: This is the first of a three-part series. Session II: Women in the Garden is scheduled for September 26-29th, 2024 during the Fall R3 Retreat. Session III: Women at Well (W@W) is scheduled for the Winter R3 Retreat, December 7-8th, 2024.)
Join us for this two-hour session dedicated to centering the relationships between ourselves, the spirit of creation, and nature. This workshop is designed exclusively for BIPOC women to feel safe to explore healing and empowerment through the written word.
In this intimate gathering, we will delve into the rich tapestry of our identities, reclaiming narratives often silenced or marginalized. Through guided writing prompts, group discussions, and supportive feedback, participants will explore themes of identity, personal growth, and spiritual connection.
Together, we will honor the wisdom of our ancestors and the resilience of our communities, weaving our individual stories into a collective narrative of strength and beauty. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just beginning to explore your voice, this workshop welcomes you to embrace your authenticity and find solace in the power of storytelling.
Come ready to cultivate connection, celebrate your uniqueness, and embody the essence of divine presence as we journey together towards self-discovery and liberation. Let your words be the vessel that guides you home to yourself.
Once again, it's on! Join us for camping at Oxbow Regional Park along the Sandy River, May 23-27th. Come hang out for a day or set up camp for overnight. Follow us on Facebook, send a comment when you register - including your t-shirt sizes for you and/or your family - and get a free t-shirt to wear for our annual group pic!
Thursday, May 23rd is VIP early check-in for TLC returning campers or by invitation.
Friday-Monday 24-27th will include activities (survival workshop, art studio, field games, facilitated hiking, women's writing workshop, outdoor cooking classes and more!) Swimming or tubing (at your own risk, weather permitting) in the Sandy River is also an option. The park provides free life jackets which are HIGHLY recommended. (Bring your own tubes.)
Check out all the details below. Once you register, you will receive updates that will include the general waiver form (required,) additional activities scheduled, weather and wildfire alerts. This free event is made possible through funding from Metro and RACC.
That's really up to your comfort level. Last year we sent out a newsletter that shared some basics.
It still applies this year.
You are responsible for your own camping supplies, including food and water. Fridieoutdoors.com is a BIPOC site that provides great information to help prepare, whether you are new to camping or a seasoned camper.
If you do not have camping gear, we have a limited supply of basic equipment. Reserve your spot early and let us know what you need from our equipment library.
Other than the very basics (tent and sleeping bag,) think about what you value most for your comfort at home and consider ways to scale that down into a backpack or two. Whatever you pack, don't forget the mosquito repellant. We've had lots of rain this year and those buggers are gonna be hungry for sweet people.
Afrovivalist will be coming back to facilitate our own version of "Survival". This is an Emergency Evacuation Drill. Will you be ready? Prizes will be awarded!
We will also present the "Heal & Grow BIPOC Northwest Field Guide" to be used on a facilitated nature hike with Jreyesha Brannon, co-creator of the field guide.
New this year is the BIPOC "Women Writing in Wellness" workshop facilitated by Erica Briggs, founder of TLC, Int'l (Transformative Living Community, International) and R3 (Relax, Relate, Release) Retreats.
All campers are able to sign up for one or more of these activities for free! Some may require advance participation in preparation for the R3 activity. Be sure to reserve your spot for more information.
Sit down, take a breath. Make a new friend. Grab some water and go on a hike. Listen to the birds down by the river. Sing. Dance. Whatever you like!
There will be some activities led by volunteer campers. Check back on this webpage or the on-site board to see the "in the moment" schedule.
Usually we depend on every day folks stepping up to offer their passion. Spades or dominoes? Maybe referee a soccer game. Facilitate a fireside storytelling session. Outdoor cooking lesson? Go for it! Share your gifts and talents with the community
We also have an equipment library: check out a soccer ball or frisbee, a set of dominoes or deck of cards. Feel free to bring your own equipment - yoga mat, binoculars, that book you haven't had time to read.
Driving is the best option to get to Oxbow Regional Park. We encourage carpools. We will have parking passes at check-in. Once you enter the park, look for our signs to Eagle Shelter, Group Camp 1. Click this link for directions to the park.
From downtown Portland it's about a 45 minute drive (without traffic.) There is no phone signal once you turn off Troutdale Road so you may want to print out the directions, though there is pretty good signage to get you to the park.
If you would like to help coordinate a carpool for a couple folx who don't have transporation, please let us know at sanctuary@healgrow.org
Thursday VIP check-in
is for returning campers or by invitation only.
Friday-Sunday General Check-in between 2:00-6:00p.
The park gate closes at 7:00p.
If you don't arrive on your confirmed date by 6p, your spot will be opened to folks on the waiting list.
Once you arrive, find a parking spot, then come to the check-in tent:
That's it! Grab your gear and go set up your camp!
We've divided the camping area under the trees into 3 zones:
Once you've identitifed a zone, find a spot; it's first come, first pick of ground available. Fires are only allowed in designated areas with pits (and depends on the fire risk level set by the county.)
A family friendly camping retreat along the Sandy River, Oxbow Regional Park, Gresham, Oregon. BIPOC only.
Camping in community creates a sense of safety and liberty to appreciate a natural way of being. What we are attempting to create at R3 is an opportunity to relax, relate and release. This R3 camping retreat is free and exclusive to "Black, Indigenous, People of Color" who are ready to let go of "labels" and just be in nature with friends and family.
Thursday, May 23th
VIP Check-In: returning campers or by invitation only
Friday-Monday, May 24-27th
General Check-In: 2p-6p
Check-out Monday, May 27, 11am
We're bringing back the podcast recording studio. We hope to hear your experiences of the outdoors, or your thoughts on the politics of racializing natural spaces, or how nature is critical to equalizing health care, or whatever else you'd like to share about the importance of nature and art and community to support ourhealing & growth. If you want to participate, be sure to sign the media release portion on the waiver form at check-in.
Other Activities:
We are living in a world of noise and chaos, fear and dis-ease. Present times call for a moment to just be still and know - who we are in the world, our connection to one another, and how to live in peace with ourselves and others.
In the natural world, we can hear the answers, in the wild diversity of the forest, the simple calling of one bird to another, the steady confidence of a river churning. Nature speaks our lessons if we take time to listen.
There was a time when we could hear these messages clearly. Colonial culture has ripped these natural ways of life away from our souls. Whether we know it or not, we are longing to return to this natural order. The TLC R3 Camping retreat is an opportunity to do so, and a chance to "just be." (Learn more of the story here.)
We have intentionally planned this retreat without set times and dates for each activity. We believe the best things happen organically. We have a few folks who volunteer to lead an activity, (yoga, meditation, youth/children's activity, etc.,) but with the exception of our special guests on Saturday, activites will not be programmed in advance. It will be based on what one or two people are inspired to lead in the moment, open to whoever wants to jump in. That's how nature plays, and we plan to play along!
All campers are asked to sign a general waiver/photo release and community culture agreement.
You can fill them out in advance and bring a signed copy at check in. If you are camping with children, please sign the adult waiver for yourself and the adult with children waiver for the children who will be camping with you.
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All Rights Reserved.
sanctuary@healgrow.org