REI Presents: Venture Out

"I think there's a movement amongst many, many diverse
people and groups to say let's make more visible the fact that
we have always been in the outdoors, you just haven't known it."

- Perry Cohen (he/him/his), Founder of The Venture Out
Project

“When I'm in nature and I'm backpacking... I feel all the pressure
just kind of fall away. I don't have to be someone specific or be
likable or be anything. I can just exist and not have to think
about it.
With The Venture Out Project the experience is being with
people like you in your community, who you can relate to and
that you can find safety with that you may not have at home.”

- Tyler Lerch (they/them), Participant & Youth Instructor at The Venture Out Project

[ChandlerShepherd]

Everyone should be able to be themselves everywhere. Mother nature loves us and accepts us all equally. Thankful for the great equalizer of the outdoors. Thanks REI for shedding more light on this.

[ngkasp]

It's clear from the comments—positive and negative—that this is a story that needs to be told. Keep it up REI! You have this trans backpacker's support

[JoySkydancer]

Thank you REI for making the world kinder one story at a time. Hats off to Venture Out for building community in the outdoors.

[whitneyoats]

I just fell MORE in love with REI by watching this! Thank you for telling this story and thank you to Perry and those who are creating these spaces for others to feel safe to be themselves and empowered to do what they love. 🥰

[KDybdahl]

This is so nice to see! Everyone deserves to feel comfortable exploring the wonderful outdoors.

[mtnbiker]

I love this so much! Programs like this and WTF Bikexplorers are so important to people like me! Thank you for supporting us!

[elenaimel]

As a Cis person who loves my non-cis friends, and constantly tries to defend them and do right by them, I appreciate this video so much. I had never considered that activities like hiking, camping, and the outdoors could be so hostile. Thank you REI for sharing this story, and helping others gain understanding and empathy.

[marjiecleveland]

Such a great program. Kudos to you all!!

[ChristopherGronlund]

I love this (and REI) so much. Knowing what friends go through out on trails and other places...I love that you all made such a great video!

[felixbrecht]

Keep it up. Be yourself!!! I hope everyone can be who he wants to be without hiding one day. Video like this move it in the right direction.

[clairesutton]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for making this beautiful short.

[amplemovement]

Wonderful program that is doing such important work. Thank you REI for supporting them and highlighting them.

[antoniusXL]

I would love so much more of this. It’s so nice to learn about another human’s journey besides your own.

[themangoninja]

This is beautiful. Everyone deserves to feel safe outdoors.

[mermanfiasco]

This is really nice. Thank you to those involved :)

[dannypryordoyle]

Absolutely rad and inspiring story! Epic! ✌️❤️

[thesawinskis]

Yes yes yes 1000% times. REI thank you!

[smileyhappyradio]

What a great video REI, people need to see trans people, and not just look away. I think its great when people make others smile. I've never been one of those people, and always wondered how they do it, how they inspire, its cool.

[outdoorworld]

Awesome video, definitely nice to get this fresh perspective

[ArtAndPrevailing]

a wonderful video! big love from canada for the venture out project. <3