Camping Noire Magazine

Full Name: Lelia-Alice Shani Brinkley  What city and state are you repping? Plainfield  What made you want to join this expedition?   Once in a lifetime opportunity  What's your favorite outdoor adventure memory, and what made it so special? Camp Koinania when I was in the 5th grade.  It was the 1st time I went camping, and my teacher and school friends made it fun. I remember hearing ghost stories by the campfire. And roasting marshmallows, yum. If you could bring one item (besides essential gear) to Kilimanjaro that's not typically associated with hiking, what would it be and why?   Rose water spray. It smells good and is refreshing.  What's your go-to trail snack or meal when you need an energy boost during a hike or climb? Nuts. Give me nuts and dark chocolate!! If you could choose one song to be the theme for our Kilimanjaro summit, what would it be, and why does it inspire you?   "I want to Thank You" by Alicia Meyers. With the Most High...

Full name: Sheena Schuler What city and state are you repping? Lodi, NJ What made you want to join this expedition?   It feels like the opportunity of a lifetime and a fitting challenge for 2024. Why not? What's your favorite outdoor adventure memory, and what made it so special?  My dad used to take us rock climbing on the weekends as kids. No equipment or any real plan, just going out to see who could make it too the top first. It taught me a lot about facing fears, trusting myself, and not giving up if you fall or things get difficult.  If you could bring one item (besides essential gear) to Kilimanjaro that's not typically associated with hiking, what would it be and why?  Thoughts of my mom. She was always my biggest cheerleader and would never let me quit on myself.  What's your go-to trail snack or meal when you need an energy boost during a hike or climb?  Anything with peanut butter or nuts in general  If you could choose one song to be t...

 Full name:  Manika Love What city and state are you repping?  Roselle, NJ What made you want to join this expedition?  Trekking Kilimanjaro is on my bucket list. For the challenge and to join this adventure with an amazing group of women.  What's your favorite outdoor adventure memory, and what made it so special?  Completing a century ride (Twin Lights Ride). Riding 100 miles in one day was something I always wanted to accomplish, and in the world of biking, completing a century ride is a huge milestone. Just a proud moment that tested not only my physical but also my mental endurance. What made it so special is being able to enjoy the ride and share the moment with other ladies I rode with that were completing their first century as well. If you could bring one item (besides essential gear) to Kilimanjaro that's not typically associated with hiking, what would it be and why?  Well, when my son was young, he collected rocks and then gifted them to ...

Full name: Angie What city and state are you repping? Philly What made you want to join this expedition? Tasheea and Camping Noire What's your favorite outdoor adventure memory, and what made it so special? Hiking and exploring with other Black women. The healing of nature and the camaraderie with sisters. If you could bring one item (besides essential gear) to Kilimanjaro that's not typically associated with hiking, what would it be and why? An article of my grandmother’s clothing or a piece of her jewelry What's your go-to trail snack or meal when you need an energy boost during a hike or climb? Protein bar If you could choose one song to be the theme for our Kilimanjaro summit, what would it be, and why does it inspire you?   “MOVE” by Beyoncé & Grace Jones. It’s just celebratory of women taking up the space they need as queens. What's the most inspiring quote or mantra that keeps you going when things get tough during a challenging hike?   “I can do ...

Full name:    Nicole Taite What city and state are you repping?   Cliffwood, New Jersey What made you want to join this expedition?    It is a once in a lifetime adventure! What's your favorite outdoor adventure memory, and what made it so special?    Climbing Devils Bridge in Sedona, Arizona. I cried with a feeling of freedom and relief as I tackled the red rock. I climbed with my brother, which made it special.  If you could bring one item (besides essential gear) to Kilimanjaro that's not typically associated with hiking, what would it be and why?    An ice cream maker because ice cream makes me happy! What's your go-to trail snack or meal when you need an energy boost during a hike or climb?    Red grapes and water. If you could choose one song to be the theme for our Kilimanjaro summit, what would it be, and why does it inspire you?    Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys because we are badasses! What's the most insp...

Full name:  Tasha Graves What city and state are you repping?  Philadelphia, PA What made you want to join this expedition?   A personal quest for awesomeness! What's your favorite outdoor adventure memory, and what made it so special?  Completing my first half marathon and confronting my fears on nature-based obstacle courses. There is nothing like pushing past your fears and perceived physical limits, in addition to the positive energy of training with a team. If you could bring one item (besides essential gear) to Kilimanjaro that's not typically associated with hiking, what would it be and why?   Sisterhood!  What's your go-to trail snack or meal when you need an energy boost during a hike or climb? Granola/Trail mix, energy gels If you could choose one song to be the theme for our Kilimanjaro summit, what would it be, and why does it inspire you?  " You Won’t Break My Soul" by Beyoncé. What's the most inspiring quote or mantra that keeps yo...

Full name:    Kenya Kinyozi Barber  What city and state are you repping?    Lawrenceville, New Jersey  What made you want to join this expedition?    I'm looking for a challenge.  What's your favorite outdoor adventure memory, and what made it so special?    Camping, of course!  If you could bring one item (besides essential gear) to Kilimanjaro that's not typically associated with hiking, what would it be and why?    My Bible! I can only accomplish this hike with God's help and guidance.  What's your go-to trail snack or meal when you need an energy boost during a hike or climb?    Peanut Butter! Yum! If you could choose one song to be the theme for our Kilimanjaro summit, what would it be, and why does it inspire you?   " Mercy Mercy Me" (Marvin Gaye), "All the Way Up" (Fat Joe), "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Marvin Gaye), and so many others. It's hard to choose just one.  What's the most...

Remember a few months ago when we announced that Sorako Tours, a remarkable black and (half) woman-owned travel company, had invited Camping Noire to join their upcoming expedition to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in June 2024?   Well, now we are overjoyed to bring you a significant update on our journey. and introduce you to the official Camping Noire Climb Team!  Meet the Trailblazers (shown left to right): Tasheea (Founder): Follow her journey on IG @tasheeasswissarmylife Sydney: Follow her journey on IG @schatziecunningham Angie: Follow her journey on IG @angiewrites Kenya: Follow her journey on IG @thunderblades032024 Manika: Follow her journey on IG @mlove351 Sheena: Follow her journey on IG @sheenamfschuler Shani: Follow her journey on IG @feedyourwellness Tasha: Follow her journey on IG @tgraves1908 Nicole: Follow her journey on IG @coco_taite85 In the coming weeks, we'll be featuring blog posts that provide you with an...

Full name:    Sydney Cunningham  What city and state are you repping?    Toms River NJ  What made you want to join this expedition?    Life! It needs to be lived..to the fullest! I gave a lot of my years to my children and want to give more to them, but this one...is for me... without hesitation.  What's your favorite outdoor adventure memory, and what made it so special?    My family of 5 and I went on an overnight campout for the fourth of July in 2020. Our day was listening to music, Barbequing, shucking corn, eating seafood, roasting marshmallows, taking pics and videos, drawing with the ash from the fire, and watching a movie on the projector. My youngest was only three months old at the time. As we all trailed off to sleep in the summer breeze of the lively woods my three-month-old and I had the best sleep ever since we been home from the hospital. HE SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME. HE ACTUALLY SLEPT LIKE A TEENAGE...