Everyone around the world is in the constant hustle for a better life that they often forget to cherish the little things around them. All work and no play is what everyone seems to head towards. Even playing nowadays has become digital and very indoor. Taking a vacation once every year or a two is the only time when most people get a taste of the outdoors and connect with nature.
Hoping to foster feelings of environmental stewardship, connection, and joy, the students and alumni of Northeastern University have founded a non-profit organisation called “Mass Hike”. The main aim of Mass Hike is to provide guided hikes, activities, and round-trip transportation to parks, state reservations, and recreation areas near Boston.
Suraya Foster, executive director of Mass Hike who’s a fourth-year chemistry major at Northeastern says “Being in the outdoors was such an important part of my childhood, but it’s easy to forget how much of a privilege it is.” Talking about the organisation she says, the company strives to make the trips affordable for everyone. Michelle Mouw, the chief operating officer of Mass Hike says that she joined the organisation because she believes in the restorative and healing effects of nature.
This year, Mass Hike was selected to receive funding from IDEA, Northeastern’s student-led business accelerator. Mass Hike also formed a partnership with a courier service that transports participants to and from their hiking destinations. At present, the company runs about one hiking trip per month and the tickets are $15, but people who receive federal aid pay $2.
Umayal