B A G ~ Devon & Beyond
Exeter, D4
Welcome to BAG (Black & Brown Adventure Group) \~ Devon & Beyond!
This is a Hiking and Adventure Group for those who identify has being from a racialised minority aka global majority.
Back in 2012 whilst living in Cardiff, I decided to take up hiking. I moved to Devon in 2016, so I could continue to hike and reap the benefits of nature in this wonderous part of the UK. I grew up believing that it would be another space that lacked diversity, and I was right. I very rarely ever see black or brown faces hiking and I’m surprised and delighted when I do.
I have found while discovering the countryside is that almost everyone is welcoming, and happy to see you there. So it makes it all the more disheartening that some racialised minorities feel that they are not welcome.
My many positive experiences whilst adventuring and hiking around Devon and the South West have inspired me to create this group specifically for underrepresented communities like ours, who also want to reap the benefits of Devon and the South West Countryside. Safe spaces are important for marginalised people, to come together free from judgement, unsolicited opinions and prejudice, where we feel supported and respected. Because barriers to accessing rural spaces are just the tip of the iceberg
Come Join Us on Our Next Adventure!
We embrace inclusivity and diversity alongside all 'minority groups', including LGBTQIA+, all religions, races and etc. We have zero tolerance towards prejudice and discrimination in all its forms.
We often focus on having smallish meet ups (predominantly 6 to 16 people) which makes it easier to get to know others within the activity...
MEMBERSHIP:
To help cover the running cost of the group, we will invite you to contribute £2 per person for each meetup attended. Alternatively, you can request to pay a £5 annual membership. This helps to cover the site membership fees and administration.
Membership options:
PAY AS YOU GO - pay £2 subs each time you attend an event
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP - £5 per person per year from the 1st day of you joining which will allow you to attend all sessions during your membership year subs-free. The renewal date will then be the 1st anniversary day the following year. If you choose not to renew your annual membership, then your membership will revert to pay as you go.
Paid annual membership with BAG will also cover annual membership for the same period with: Go Explore & Exploring Cornwall (ask for more details)
HOST MEMBERSHIP - become a host and arrange at least a couple of events over the course of a year and get your membership free for the year. If you would like to take advantage of the Host membership, please message the organiser to make the necessary arrangements.
DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS
For certain venues (e.g. pubs, cafes and restaurants,), we will ask for a minimum £5 deposit. This is either required by the venue and/or, by our meetup group to reserve your place. In the event of late drop out or no show, deposits are only returned in the event that someone else replaces you.
This also applies for deposits and payments for trips, nights away, camping and kayaking etc. Deposits and payments are only returned in the event that someone else replaces you.
IMPORTANT - SAFETY & LIABILITY: The group is for adults aged 21 and over only. Needless to say, that we need to look after our own health and be mindful of others. The event organisers/hosts are not professionals and are not liable for your safety. You're responsible for your own safety.
To reiterate, each participant is responsible for their own safety, and nobody assumes responsibility for any kind of ill-health, injury, damage or loss that might happen.
Please bear in mind that all the BAG activities are deemed as self-guided with a hobby group. The hosts are not qualified leaders or proclaim to be experts. Any activity details, travel advice, instructions and other content merely represent our shared personal knowledge, research and suggestions as adventure, culture and food fun-atics. As this is no business there is no "product", "service" or "package" and also no "tour guide" or "operator", unless specifically hired for that purpose. A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF FITNESS IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.. (Ensure that you have suitable footwear and waterproofs, and bring water and food etc)
By participating in the events, you acknowledge and agree with this disclaimer.
CONDUCT & NO-SHOWS: We ask that you treat all members in the group as you would wish to be treated yourself. The group will not tolerate harassment or prejudice of any description. If concerns are raised you will be banned from the group and reported to the meetup site.
Please let people know in advance if you can no longer make an event, it saves the people who do attend from having to wait to see if you're going to turn up. People who join an event and then don't show up will be marked as a "NO-SHOW". Continuous no shows may result in you being banished to BAG hell. Now you wouldn't want that to happen would you!