There are some weekends that feel like a pause button.
A chance to step away from the pace of everyday life, put your phone down, breathe a little deeper and remember what it feels like to simply be.
This summer, 100 Black women from across the UK gathered in the Gloucestershire countryside for the Black Girls Hike Summer Weekender - a weekend rooted in our theme of nature, knowledge & nourishment.
We stayed at The Wilderness Centre, surrounded by countryside and opportunities to experience the outdoors in all sorts of ways. But while there was plenty happening across the weekend, it wasn't about trying to fit everything in.
It was about having the freedom to choose what felt right.
Maybe that meant heading out on an activity, joining a workshop or simply finding a quiet spot to take it all in. For some, it was about pushing themselves outside their comfort zone. For others, the joy was in having nowhere else to be and simply enjoying the moment.
Finding our way back to nature
The Gloucestershire countryside gave us plenty of room to slow down and reconnect with the outdoors.
Our mornings could begin with yoga before the day unfolded, while Afro Stargazing gave us the chance to look beyond the trees and towards the night sky. We also headed out together for a group hike through the Forest of Dean, taking in the landscape and enjoying the experience of walking alongside one another.
There was no expectation to take part in everything.
Instead, everyone could find their own pace. Some activities might spark curiosity, while other moments called for rest. That freedom was part of what made the weekend special.
Because sometimes, making room for nature also means making room for yourself.
Nature as teacher
Our theme of nature, knowledge & nourishment gave us plenty to think about, particularly the ways our relationship with the natural world can extend far beyond a walk in the woods.
During the weekend, we had the opportunity to watch The Land Smiles Back, a short film by Justdiggit exploring how communities in Kenya are working with nature to restore their landscapes and bring back water.
The screening invited us to think about the relationship between people and the land, and what can happen when communities come together to restore and care for their natural environments.
It was also a reminder that there is always something new to learn from the ways other communities understand and work with nature.
And then there was the learning that happened simply by being together.
With 100 Black women from across the UK in one place, conversations naturally became part of the weekend. A chat over a meal could turn into a longer conversation. A shared walk could introduce you to someone you'd never have otherwise met. These small moments of connection were just as much a part of the experience as anything on the programme.
Not all learning happens in a workshop.
Sometimes, it happens on a hiking trail.
Making room for joy
Of course, nourishment isn't only about slowing down and reflecting. Sometimes, it's about having fun and letting yourself be a little silly.
There was R&B line dancing, hula hooping and nature photography, alongside plenty of opportunities to try something new.
And then there was karaoke.
One of the standout moments of the weekend was our group karaoke session. What started as a room full of people quickly became a room full of singers, whether you were brave enough to take the microphone or perfectly happy joining in from your seat.
It was loud. It was joyful. And there were definitely some memorable vocal performances.
More than anything, though, it captured the spirit of the weekend. There was no pressure to be good at karaoke, just as there was no pressure to master every new activity. We were there to give things a go, laugh at ourselves and enjoy being together.
The people who made it possible
A weekend like this doesn't happen without the people behind it.
A huge thank you to our volunteers, facilitators, providers and the BGH team, whose time, energy and care helped bring the Summer Weekender to life.
And to every woman who joined us - thank you.
Thank you for showing up with an open mind and helping create the atmosphere that made the weekend so memorable. Every conversation, laugh and shared experience became part of the story.
What we take home
Eventually, every weekend away has to end.
The bags get packed. The rooms at The Wilderness Centre empty out. The last conversations happen before everyone begins the journey home.
But we left Gloucestershire with something that couldn't be packed into a suitcase.
There were new connections, moments we'll remember and perhaps a few activities we'd never expected to enjoy quite so much.
More importantly, there was a reminder of what can happen when we give ourselves permission to slow down and spend time outdoors together.
The Summer Weekender wasn't just about getting outside. It was about creating a space where Black women could feel comfortable taking up space in the outdoors, whatever that looked like for them.
The Summer Weekender might be over, but the conversations and connections don't have to be. We'll be carrying the spirit of nature, knowledge & nourishment with us as we continue creating more opportunities for Black women to find joy and belonging outdoors.