Talk to strangers: advice for finding your outdoor community

This post is brought to you by Sorta Outdoorsy, a weekly newsletter full of ideas for outdoor adventures around New York City. Like what you see? Subscribe to Sorta Outdoorsy.

This week, our friend and contributor Allie Lee wrote about finding a new outdoor community after she was relocated to London:

“…the hardest part for me was initiating interactions. But that’s where having a shared interest makes a big difference. If I saw someone riding the Tube with climbing shoes clipped to their bag, I forced myself to ask questions and start conversations. I met people at the rock wall and exchanged email addresses and gym schedules. There were some times when the process felt slow, and there were many times when it felt awkward. But eventually, I realized I had managed to go to a new place and meet new people. With every new plan and weekend trip, London felt a little more like home.”

That got us thinking about ways to meet people who are interested in the same outdoor activities as us back here in NYC. One of the best parts about getting outdoors is that most of activities can be done in groups or with partners. Whether it’s climbing, camping or canoeing, signing up for trips and classes are great ways to find new friends, no matter where you are. Check the Soho REI for a range of courses like Snowshoeing Basics or Solo Backpacking.

Most major cities have plenty of meetups that host various outdoor activities for all different levels of enthusiasts. A few of our local favorites: New York City Archery Group, NY Ski and Snowboard Club, Hudson Valley Hikers, Ghost Skate New York, Crux Climbing and Outdoorfest.

To read the rest of Allie’s story and for more tips (like a gear review of a s’more bar), check out the rest of this week’s newsletter.

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