Explore!
Explorando Senderos de Boulder (ES) brings Latinx families closer to nature and its vast beauty. Every Saturday, we experience and explore a different trail hike together. These Senderos foster community connection and enjoyment of our wonderful parks and Open Space. Together, we identify barriers and explore strategies for overcoming them through sustainable participation through collective leadership.
Collective leadership is promoted by providing a safe space and a greater sense of community. No programming (or teaching) is imposed on the group. Everyone has the opportunity to explore freely, lead, and bring their unique voices and skills to all experiences. Spanish is the main language as a way to eliminate power dynamics. The families appreciate that the experiences are theirs to develop and lead, without expectations, agenda, or interpretation from external groups, which has allowed everyone to become true leaders of each of the experiences that we share as a community, without hierarchies.
Explorando Senderos de Boulder empowers each of its participants, regardless of age, showing them how safe, fun, and fulfilling these outdoor experiences are, and the importance of venturing out and spending time immersed in the welcoming and inclusive paradises of Mother Earth. These weekly experiences have brought everyone closer to nature while enhancing their physical and emotional well-being. There is nothing like walking hand in hand with parents and children and as a community! All participants have been seeing the results of these experiences and are amazed at how the physical and mental condition of everyone in the family unit has improved.
After over twenty four month of activity and more than 104 different trails that most had never set foot on; the community is closer than ever. Together we continue to grow and expand. The ES community is establishing its own Community Garden (Jardin Ancestral) at Growing Gardens, enjoys full moon walks and sky watching once a month together with FISKE Planetarium, community dinners at the Junkyard social club, and much more!
Values
The unique ethos of Explorando Senderos de Boulder drives our explosive growth and grassroots impact. Unlike other community programs with similar goals that are often organized by well-intentioned outsiders, Explorando Senderos is powered by shared leadership, self-organization, Latinx family-to-family support, co-created experiences, and yes, love.
The heart and soul of Explorando Senderos lies in trust and respect as opposed to rigid planning, traditional teaching, or external authority. This approach allows Senderistas to influence their own experiences, grow in confidence, and become community organizers. It also transforms each Sendero from a simple hike to a deeply personal outdoor experience that allows participants to disconnect from modern life, reconnect with the natural world, and nurture their families and themselves.
Connection with nature and its healing potential: The weekly Senderos have created structured time allowing participants to prioritize a connection to nature, while tending to their own physical and mental wellbeing. Participants experience first hand how safe, fun, and necessary these outdoor adventures can be.
Focus on family: Latinx families have strong legacies of culture, knowledge, and confidence to impart to their children. Parents, grandparents, and the community are the most vital link to cultural heritage. Many programs take a colonialist approach that systematically dismisses elders and only involves the child. We consider the involvement of the entire family unit at every event. When programs involve every member of the family, a space of empowerment, confidence, creativity, and healing is developed and felt by all. Storytelling comes to life, and family ties are strengthened, celebrated, and recognized.
Guiding Principles
Collective leadership: Collective leadership is cultivated through safe space and a strong sense of community. No program or activity is imposed on the group. The families appreciate that the experiences are their own to develop and lead, without expectations, agendas, or the influence of outside groups. Establishing this as an essential component of the movement allows the Senderistas to direct these experiences with confidence.
Empowerment: We empower our members to share their unique voice and skills, so the experiences can be tailored by and for all participants. This is accomplished through relationship and trust building, patience and kindness, and appropriate communication in the participants’ native Spanish language.