Hi there,
I'm a city kid and, to this day, have only always lived in cities. I grew up in Northern Manhattan in Washington Heights, where most Dominicans migrate to when they arrive in NYC. City parks were our "backyard," and the stoop was where we would hang out with neighborhood kids. Most of my outdoor adventures would come from our annual Summer trips to the Dominican Republic. I have personally witnessed the constraints that families without resources face in accessing nature. It wasn't until my first year of college, when I signed up for a two-week trip to Alaska to hike, that I grasped nature's healing power—more about that in our following newsletter.
A few months ago, two of my friends texted me about Camping to Connect and how they thought I would love their work. As soon I read about their mission, I kept thinking, “I wish this would have been available for my brothers.” After spiraling on Instagram and Google for a few hours, I finally contacted Manny via Instagram and email (I basically stalked him lol) for an interview.
Camping to Connect encourages us to rethink the way we engage with our communities through outdoor activities, prompting us to view the world with greater mindfulness and intentionality.
I hope you enjoy this conversation with Manny, where he shares his story about growing up in the Dominican Republic, the transformative influence of nature on urban youth, his favorite national parks, and his inspiring vision for the future.
Tell us about yourself.
I am an Afro-Latino man born in Santiago, in the heart of the Dominican Republic. I grew up in Santo Domingo, the country’s capital. My roots trace a path to the backwoods of Bonao and La Vega, twin cities nestled amidst the mountains - a sanctuary where African slaves once sought refuge with the indigenous Taíno people from the Spanish conquistadors. I am a blend of all three distinct cultures. This mix forms the DNA of my identity and the rhythm of my journey as an immigrant in the United States.
My attorney mom from the city and engineer dad from the country met while at university, fell in love, married, had me, and divorced when I was three. I guess that’s what happens when you get two Geminis who share the same birthday. They then married other scholars who loved me and treated me like their own. I have two brothers and a sister on my dad’s side and two sisters and a brother on my mom’s. So I spent my formative years as the older brother of six. I lived with my mom in la Ciudad Colonial, the historic central neighborhood of the capital (it is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the Americas), seeing tourists and street hustlers every day; then, spending many weekends, Summers, and holidays with my dad, listening to bachata, picking up mangoes and exploring the countryside.
At 20 yrs old, I moved to New York City to continue pursuing my higher education. Taken by the vibrancy and diversity of The City, I decided to stay. From embracing my Dominican community in Washington Heights to the love I found in Brooklyn, each step has shaped me into the man I am today.
What inspired you to launch Camping to Connect?
Growing up, nature was a constant presence in my life, a grounding force that balanced my drive for community-building. My deep connection to nature dates back to my childhood memories with my paternal grandparents, who lived in the majestic foothills of the Cordillera Central in the Dominican Republic, the highest mountain range in the Caribbean. This affinity for the outdoors was further amplified by my father, a respected leader in his field (two hydroelectric water dams under his belt) and an unwavering advocate for social justice, whose community activism has inspired me throughout my life. Like my Abuelo, he absolutely loves being in nature. For as long as I can remember, he has had a cabin or land he can go to in the mountains.
For two decades, though, I had found myself consumed by the hectic pace of life in The City when the opportunity to go camping to Lake George, NY presented itself in 2015. That experience served as a timely reminder of nature's soothing, restorative power and the bonds it helps to forge.
In 2016, I co-founded Mastermind Connect, an initiative to foster brotherhood among men of color. We collectively engaged in vulnerable conversations, shared unique experiences, and encouraged each other to step outside our comfort zones. Our mission was to provide support and motivation to pursue our individual passions and overcome our personal challenges through our pillars of resources, reciprocity, and respect.
Inspired by the recent camping experience, I suggested a camping and hiking trip to Upstate, NY, to the men of Mastermind Connect. Initially met with a resounding 'Hell Nah!' because "that's something White people do," my proposal was eventually embraced, marking the start of our annual retreat. This retreat was the catalyst for the creation of the Camping to Connect program through our Young Masterminds Initiative nonprofit organization in 2018, which has since served as a platform to empower the next generation with life skills and confidence, providing a safe space and an enduring appreciation for nature.
Part 2: About Camping to Connect
What is the ethos behind Camping to Connect?
We carve a space for young men of color to thrive amidst nature's grandeur, sowing seeds of change in the fertile grounds of adventure and mentorship. We are an ensemble of progressive men of color, guiding and inspiring our youth to embrace their strength and potential. We challenge, we engage, we empower. Through our immersive outdoor experiences, we sculpt leaders, foster bonds of brotherhood, and illuminate the path toward healthy masculinity. We're creating ripples of change in the lives of young men from BIPOC communities in New York City and Denver, CO, with a vision to expand our mission across America in the next five years.
Will you tell us how programs like Camping to Connect, break the barriers that Black, Latino, and indigenous urban youth face when accessing the outdoors?
Programs like Camping to Connect unlock nature's restorative potential for urban youth of color. We provide a much-needed respite from city chaos and a break from digital distractions. Out in the wild, these young men have the space to ground themselves, embracing nature's calm and healing power.
What are the opportunities that are available for urban youth out in nature? What difference can this make for their mental wellness?
They don’t have to worry about gang violence and toxic family dynamics. They can take a break from the constant stereotypes and triggers that directly result from enduring generational traumas and systems of oppression. They are born with a secured spot in the school-to-prison pipeline and spend their lives dancing between anxiety and depression. Our job is to create a paradigm shift and break that pattern. More than just physical exploration, we invite them on an inward journey that fosters deeper connections - with their peers, the environment, and, most importantly, with themselves. The outdoors becomes a sanctuary, a tool for self-discovery and growth, erasing barriers and opening up a world of possibilities.
Talk to us about Wood Hood. What story does it tell?
We created Wood Hood with a small media grant we received from Patagonia to show the importance of programs like Camping to Connect and the impact it has on the youth we serve. Winner of the Best Short Film award at the 2022 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival, Wood Hood features DeVaughn, a 15-year-old kid from New York City who loves skateboarding and craves a "quiet place" to escape the chaos of his home, the city, and kids that steal from him. The film follows DeVaughn on a weekend-long group camping trip with Camping to Connect.
Wood Hood urges us to recognize the power and potential of a world where nature is accessible and inclusive for all. When we nurture and advocate for the basic human need to be surrounded by calm and stillness, explore and connect with the native land around us, and touch and be touched by the earth, we build a happier, healthier, and more fulfilled society.
Part 3: Travel and Culture
What are some areas outside NYC where you take the members to go hiking/camping?
Although not exclusively (our first trip was in 40 acres of private land in the Adirondacks), we aim for State and National parks within 1-2 hours from NYC; Harriman State Park and the Delaware Water Gap are preferred, as well as parts of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut and Massachusetts for backpacking expeditions. Now that we have expanded our programming to Colorado, we’ve begun to offer backpacking experiences to the young men who have shown proficiency in the outdoors and a desire to continue their journey with us under our Student>Apprentice>Mentor model.
What are some of the activities they participate in?
We offer hiking, camping, indoor rock climbing, rappelling, and backpacking, and we will introduce bike-packing this Fall in Colorado. We want to snowshoe in NYC, but climate change is not helping.
What are your top three favorite national parks in the United States?
I love the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area for its proximity to NYC and the chances of running into thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail; Haleakalā National Park because I was up above the clouds and thought I had made it to Mars on top of a dead volcano, and Rocky Mountain National Park because I think I saw God when I looked at the eyes of a moose that came up to my car window.
What memory do they bring back home to remind themselves of these experiences?
Something that has become a theme is that they didn’t know how much they needed to be out in nature and didn’t think they could survive out there (especially without their cell phones). Some of them bring feathers; others get rocks or hiking poles they make from dead branches.
What is the long-term goal of Camping to Connect?
Our long-term goal goes beyond the immediate impact we have on young men of color. We aim to create a model of outdoor mentorship and nature immersion that can be replicated and applied to other communities and affinity groups. Our vision is to cultivate a future where the transformative power of nature is accessible and inclusive for all. We're fostering leadership, brotherhood, and inclusion in the outdoors, charting a path that not only our participants can follow but one that inspires their families and communities to connect with the great outdoors. We hope to spark a ripple effect, turning our shared experiences into a broader movement that breaks down barriers and brings people closer to nature and each other.How can we support?
Your support is integral in helping us achieve our mission at Camping to Connect. There are several ways you can assist us:
Financial Contributions: Direct tax-deductible donations can be made through our website at campingtoconnect.com/donate. Your generous contributions help us fund our trips and offer our transformative experiences to more young men at no cost to them.
Social Media Advocacy: One of the simplest yet most impactful ways to support us is by following our journey and amplifying our message on social media. You can follow us on Instagram at @campingtoconnect and Facebook at facebook.com/campingtoconnect. Like, comment, and share our posts to help us expand our reach and impact.
You can connect with me via LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/manny-almonte and Instagram @1mannyc if you want to engage and ask any questions.
Word of Mouth: Spread the word about Camping to Connect to your friends, family, and networks. The more people are aware of our mission and work, the greater our impact can be.
Your support enables us to continue fostering leadership, brotherhood, and inclusion in the outdoors, bringing the healing power of nature to those who need it most. Thank you for being a part of our journey.