For many people, the outdoors represents freedom, beauty, community, and adventure. Yet for others – especially people from underrepresented backgrounds – outdoor spaces can feel unfamiliar, intimidating, or unwelcoming. That discomfort extends into RVing and Workamping as well.
At the same time, the outdoor industry is experiencing a growing need for workers, new visitors, and long-term participants. To thrive, it must form genuine, culturally aware connections with communities who historically have not been invited into outdoor spaces.
Few people understand this challenge more deeply than Earl B. Hunter Jr., founder and president of The Unity Folks®, an award-winning outdoor consulting and education company. Through research, storytelling, and field experience, Earl has become one of the industry’s most compelling voices for inclusion – and for rethinking how we welcome people into the outdoors.
His story, paired with the lived experiences of Workampers Lamont Landrum and Vicky Childers, shows how Workamping can help break down barriers, build unity, and create new opportunities for people who have not traditionally participated in the outdoor lifestyle.
Why Many Communities Still Feel Left Out of the Outdoors
Earl founded The Unity Folks after recognizing several gaps in the outdoor industry:
- Who the industry was speaking to
- Who felt invited or welcome
- Who understood or trusted outdoor spaces
He explains that the biggest barriers to outdoor participation for many minority groups aren’t just financial – they are historical, cultural, and emotional.
“Somewhere along the way, diversity and inclusion became dirty words,” Earl said.
“But everybody wants to be included. Diversity is not just skin color – it’s background, age, gender, ability, and life experience. Any industry that wants to grow must bring in people who are different.”
Generational Fears Still Shape Outdoor Comfort Levels
Earl grew up in the South, surrounded by incredible natural beauty. But like many Black families of his generation, venturing into the woods was uncommon and often discouraged.
“The majority of folks that looked like me did not go outdoors to hike or camp,” he explained.
“There were generational fears passed down from our great grandparents to our grandparents and then to our parents. Many remembered the outdoors as one of the most dangerous places for Black people to be.”
Even decades after the end of segregation in parks, those fears didn’t disappear.
“You cannot expect people to feel comfortable in places they were historically kept out of,” he said.
“If you’ve been told your whole life that the woods are not safe, you won’t spend money to experience the lifestyle.”
Knowledge Gaps Compound the Issue
Millions of Americans – particularly in underserved communities – have had little exposure to:
- Trailheads
- Campground culture
- Basic gear
- Public lands
- The how-to’s of starting safely
This lack of exposure often leads to uncertainty or hesitation.
- “People don’t know what they don’t know,” Earl said.
- “If you’ve never set up a tent or built a campfire, the outdoors looks intimidating or expensive.
- If you don’t feel invited or welcome, you aren’t going to take the first step.”
The Unity Blaze Approach: Education + Invitation
To address these barriers, The Unity Folks built its platform around education, invitation, and sincere connection. Their programs include:
- Unity Blaze® – “The symbol that means You Are Invited and Welcomed™.”
- Unity Blaze Certified Partner Program™
- The Unity Blaze Way™
- Unity Blaze Academy™
- Unity in Motion™ (Campus Edition)
- ROI+™ – Return on Invitation + Unity
Earl often compares the outdoors to a campfire:
“The campfire has no walls,” he said.
“People share things around a fire they would never say at a kitchen table. That vulnerability builds trust. That’s where unity begins.”
How Workamping Creates Pathways Into the Outdoors: Lamont & Vicky’s Story
While Earl brings research and industry leadership, the real human impact becomes clear through Workampers like Lamont Landrum.
Lamont grew up in Detroit – far from mountains, trails, or camping culture.
“In most cities, there are not a lot of green spaces,” he said.
“It’s basically a concrete jungle. You don’t hear nature. You don’t see mountains or waterfalls. A lifestyle like this just isn’t something people are exposed to.”
As the eldest of twelve children, he wishes more of his family could experience the benefits he’s discovered outdoors.
Today, Lamont and his partner, Vicky Childers, have been full-time RVers for five years, traveling and Workamping across the country.
Lamont has worked at:
- Campgrounds
- Lodges
- Volunteer facilities
- And now serves as an assistant foreman during the annual sugar beet harvest
“When people recognize your hard work, it changes everything,” he said.
“I love that.”
Vicky said Lamont’s upbringing motivates him to encourage others:
“His parents raised their kids with structure and kept them out of trouble, but they still couldn’t give them the outdoors because it wasn’t available,” she said.
Belonging Matters: The Role of Campgrounds & Workampers
Lamont has embraced the lifestyle, but he understands why some hesitate.
“You have to accept that you might be the odd one,” he said.
He recalled one campground where a guest initially gave him a cold look. But that moment was uncommon.
“Ninety percent of the time I have no issue,” he said.
“I worked in Cody, Wyoming surrounded by cowboys and had no problems. In most places, people are welcoming.”
Vicky added:
“People worry they won’t be accepted. But most people are kind and helpful. Negative experiences are the exception, not the rule.”
Earl agreed and emphasized that Workampers are often the first point of contact for guests.
“If someone walks into a campground and feels like they don’t belong, they won’t come back,” he said.
“Workampers can remove that fear through empathy and clear communication.”
Dive Deeper with our Recent Podcast Episode
Lamont and Vicky recently joined us on The Workamper Show to talk about their path into full-time RVing, overcoming fears, and building confidence as new Workampers. Their conversation is a great companion to this article and offers even more insight into how simple invitations can change lives.
Listen to the interview with Vicky and Lamont
How Campgrounds Can Invite & Welcome Newcomers
Earl recommends that campground leaders and Workampers lead with:
- Empathy
- Respect
- Patience
- Education
His advice:
- Dont assume visitors know the rules
- Don’t assume they know how things work
- Explain without judgment
- Be friendly
- Treat people the way you want to be treated
Lamont added:
“Sometimes people just need someone to say, ‘Come check this out.”
Vicky shared a practical idea for increasing diversity among Workampers:
“Not everyone can start with an RV,” she said.
“If campgrounds had employee housing, it would help people try the lifestyle without such a big financial hurdle.”
A Path Toward Unity And Industry Growth
For the outdoor industry to remain healthy, Earl believes it must expand who it invites and welcomes.
“When the outdoor industry learns to strategically invite folks of every race, age, gender, and ability, it will grow,” he said.
“If it doesn’t, the industry will struggle. There is no business in America that succeeds without being diverse.”
This isn’t idealism – it’s strategy.
“This is not kumbaya. This is return on invitation,” Earl said.
“When people feel welcome, participation grows, communities grow, and revenue grows.”
Workamper News shares that belief. As more people discover RVing and seasonal jobs, we have an opportunity to help new participants feel welcome, supported, and confident as they explore the Workamping lifestyle.
The outdoors belongs to everyone – and together, we can help more people experience its benefits.
Learn More About The Unity Folks®
To explore programs that help individuals, companies, and Workampers build a more inclusive outdoor ecosystem, visit: www.theunityfolks.com
You’ll find information about:
- Unity Blaze®
- Unity Blaze Certified Partner Program™
- Unity Blaze Academy™
- Unity in Motion™
- ROI+™ strategy
- Outdoor industry trainings
These initiatives empower outdoor professionals and Workampers to create welcoming, sustainable communities – one campsite, conversation, and campfire at a time.
As Workamper News continues helping RVers find meaningful work on the road, stories like these remind us that the outdoors grows stronger when everyone feels welcome. We’re proud to spotlight leaders and Workampers who are expanding access and opportunity across the industry.
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