The Humble Hustle Company | Empowering Black Youth | Humble Hikes Program | Roanoke

expanding the youth’s horizons

The Humble Hikes program provides the chance to expand the youth’s horizons and experience the world around them in a positive and healthy way. Humble Hikes aims to expose black youth to the outdoors. We provide education in environmental sciences, environmental activism, advocacy, and available resources in their community. We empower youth by providing more representation of minorities in the outdoors.

Empowerment

We empower youth to discover and develop leadership skills through hands-on experiences in outdoor settings. By encouraging responsibility and teamwork, we create opportunities for them to implement and refine their abilities, building confidence and resilience.

Exposure

Through outdoor adventures and community engagement, we expose youth to possibilities beyond their immediate surroundings. By showing them the world is bigger than their city, we inspire a “small city, big dream” mindset, emphasizing that their potential is limitless.

Education

We educate youth about their connection to the environment, highlighting the importance of outdoor spaces and careers in environmental science and recreation. Even in the face of access and equity challenges, we remind them these spaces are part of their heritage and they belong.

Mentorship & Mental Health Advocacy

We provide mentorship opportunities and mental health support, fostering emotional well-being and personal growth. Our guides and counselors work alongside youth to build lasting relationships, helping them navigate challenges and restore their best selves.

More About the program

We are now entering our 3rd season for the humble hikes program. Since we started in 2017 we have:

Accompanied over 500 young boys and girls ages 7-18 on various outdoor recreational events around the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas.
Provided an outdoor exposure experience to youth who stated they had never hiked or been outside in nature beyond their own neighborhood.
Connected young boys and girls with positive role-models and mentors in the community to create long -lasting relationships.
Provided water bottles, t-shirts, bags and a healthy well balanced meal after each hike.

Our team leaders have a plethora of experience, from wildlife first aid to risk management and emergency procedures, we have a team of people who have been hiking the trails around the Roanoke Valley for years.