This event takes place on crowdcast, Charis' virtual event platform. Register here.
Charis welcomes Summer Michaud-Skog in conversation with Sarah Meng for a discussion of Fat Girls Hiking: An Inclusive Guide to Getting Outdoors at Any Size or Ability. From the founder of the Fat Girls Hiking community comes an inclusive, inspiring call to the outdoors for people of all body types, sizes, and backgrounds.
In a book brimming with heartfelt stories, practical advice, personal profiles of Fat Girls Hiking community members, and helpful trail reviews, Summer Michaud-Skog creates space for marginalized bodies with an insistent conviction that outdoor recreation should welcome everyone. Whether you’re an experienced or aspiring hiker, you’ll be empowered to hit the trails and find yourself in nature. Trails not scales!
Summer Michaud-Skog is the founder of Fat Girls Hiking, a hiking community centered on a body-positive mission to get folks of diverse backgrounds out on trails no matter their size, ability, or experience level. With more than 24,000 Instagram followers, and 29 (and counting) official chapters across the country, FGH continues to grow by the day. “Trails Not Scales” is their motto, and it’s all powered by Summer’s grassroots efforts, tireless work ethic, and gregarious, welcoming attitude. Not only is Summer a self-starting leader of a vital community, she also holds a degree in creative writing and is a photographer in her spare time.
Sarah Meng is a queer fat mental health therapist and Atlanta native. Sarah's research and clinical work focuses on sexuality, gender, fat liberation, rejecting health as a moral imperative, and recognizing the mind-body competence minoritized groups are required to develop.
This event is free and open to all people, especially to those who have no income or low income right now, but we encourage and appreciate a solidarity donation in support of the work of Charis Circle, our programming non-profit. Charis Circle's mission is to foster sustainable feminist communities, work for social justice, and encourage the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/CharisCircle?code=chariscirclepage
We will be archiving this event and adding closed captioning as soon as possible after airing so that it will be accessible to deaf and HOH people. If you have other accessibility needs or if you are someone who has skills in making digital events more accessible please don't hesitate to reach out to info@chariscircle.org. We are actively learning the best practices for this technology and we welcome your feedback as we begin this new way of connecting across distances.
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“An invaluable guide…Kudos to the author for changing the narrative on inclusiveness, breaking down stereotypes, and building body positivity.” —Booklist
From the founder of the Fat Girls Hiking community comes an inclusive, inspiring call to the outdoors for people of all body types, sizes, and backgrounds.