<p>The state of Indiana has launched a $17,500 Black inclusivity training for its state park workers.</p>
<p>The three-section interactive training, run by Black Folks Camp Too (BFCT), aims to educate state park staffers on how to guide people of color through state park camping and other activities. Dan Bortner, director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), said in a <a href="https://www.blackfolkscamptoo.com/press-releases/bfct-certifies-indiana-dnr/">press release</a> that improving the racial diversity of state park-goers would advance IDNR’s mission to “protect, enhance, preserve, and widely use” state resources.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“By actively welcoming more people who may have historically spent less time outdoors, we look forward to furthering our important mission now and for generations to come,” said Bortner.</p>
<p>Indiana <a href="https://contracts.idoa.in.gov/idoacontractsweb/PUBLIC/0000000000000000000071941-000.pdf">entered</a> into the $17,500 contract with BFCT in April of this year. BFCT has partnered with the state parks of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Oregon to offer diversity expertise as well. North Carolina paid BFCT $26,800. Oregon paid BFCT $2,000 for a keynote speech in October.</p>
<p>The training will review a history of outdoor recreational barriers that prevented communities of color from participation, as well as exploring and identifying biases regarding outdoors access for communities of color.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>BFCT was founded in 2019 by Earl B. Hunter, Jr., who currently serves as president over the business. In a 2021 feature on BFCT, Hunter told <a href="https://abc11.com/black-folks-camp-too-earl-hunter-state-parks-nc/10495440/">ABC11</a> that he started BFCT because Black people have a historical fear of the outdoors due to lynchings.</p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re talking about historical fears. You&#8217;re talking about some of the things that have happened in the woods, some of the lynchings and things of that nature,” said Hunter. “And when you have that generational fear, that&#8217;s being really driven down to you, as a young person you don&#8217;t even think about wanting to go in the outdoors.”</p>
<p>On its website, BFCT <a href="https://www.blackfolkscamptoo.com/unity-blaze/">claims</a> that Black individuals will continue to be afraid of all things related to the outdoors — camping, the woods, and even nature — until they have a positive experience with it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“Many folks, specifically Black folks, have generational fears of camping, the woods, and the outdoors. This comes from the fact that the woods were an unsafe place for many Black folks for hundreds of years in America,” stated BFCT. “Many Black folks are and will continue to feel this way UNTIL they have a positive experience that changes their thoughts.”</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Black Folks Camp Too - A Change Gonna Come" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SfXfNPSfu7g?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The training focuses on increasing the “Return On Inclusion,” or “ROI,” in Indiana state parks. ROI seeks an increase in the diversity of state park visitors.</p>
<p>IDNR <a href="https://www.in.gov/dnr/about-us/everyone-welcome/">announced</a> last week that its properties would also bear a campfire symbol, “Unity Blaze,” to signal completion of the BFCT training and their racial inclusivity.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“The Unity Blaze represents the unity that comes from our shared love for the outdoors, and reminds us that everyone is welcome,” said IDNR in a promotional video.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Unity Blaze: You Are Invited &amp; Welcomed" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jlst6OCLvPg?start=30&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The state will also have to assist in the development of the training course. According to the contract, the state must contribute to the content creation for the training videos — photos, logos, videos, and messaging — as well as offer input on the course outline, concepts, and design.</p>
<p>149 locations <a href="https://www.blackfolkscamptoo.com/certified-partners/">qualify</a> as certified partners of BFCT. Over 1,300 IDNR employees have completed the program.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Indiana Launches $17.5k Black Inclusivity Training For State Park Workers

Cellist Med Student Gives Up NYC Subway Performances After Assaulted Twice In One Year

Climate Initiatives In Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act Will Cost Over $400 Billion More Than Initially Expected, CBO Says

ACLU Threatens To Sue Georgia Over Cash Bail Bill

Utah Lawmakers Advance Bill To Prevent The Granting Of Personhood To Nature

Trans-Identifying Man May Become First Male President Of A National Sorority, Says Lawsuit

Defense Department Officials Plan To Utilize AI To Help Identify Threats

News

Camp

Diversity

Indiana

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News —

Indiana Launches $17.5k Black Inclusivity Training For State Park Workers