WE ARE THE
AMANAH
OUTSIDERS.
Nurturing curiosity through uninterrupted free play in nature.
We reflect We create We explore
We reflect We create We explore
Everyone belongs outside.
Nature is healing as much as it is communal; it is grounding as much as it is exhilarating; it empowers and sustains. Nature is a gift that inspires us to care for our environment, community, and self.
We curate spaces of belonging for all as we gather, explore, and create in the outdoors.
EVENTS
We don’t have any upcoming events right now, but more outdoor gatherings are on the way — check back soon!
Our Story
MOTHERS OF COLOR, FINDING WONDER IN THE ORDINARY.
As mothers of color we saw the lack of opportunity for our children to engage with nature wholistically encompassing who they are.
We created Amanah Outsiders, to provide families of color the opportunity to find wonder in the ordinary, to slow down, and connect with self and with one another outdoors.
OUR TEAM
-
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from The Ohio State University and a Master’s degree in Education from Western Governors University. She has served her community through teaching and mentoring young children and teens at her local mosque for over a decade. She is a homeschooling mother of four amazing children who has developed a great love for nature and being in the outdoors. With AO, she nourishes children’s innate curiosity while sharing her love for nature with them and their families.
Loves: learning, reading, and spending quality time with family
-
Lara runs her design & creative strategy business with her partner in life, Alfredo. She leads a small but mighty team that collaborate with social impact driven companies and organizations offering services like brand positioning, visual identity, and website design. She is a mom of four eccentric children who inspire her to give back every day. She joined Amanah Outsiders after her design studio refreshed the organization's brand and website.
Loves: basketball, cooking, swimming, calligraphy.
-
She is the founder of Maryanslist, a platform highlighting inclusive children's books. Her work began as a library staff member and evolved into a mission to foster representation and belonging in literature. She collaborates with publishers, educators, and librarians to champion equity so that every reader sees themselves on the shelves. Maryan is currently a graduate student pursuing a dual M.Ed/ MLIS degree to become a Youth Services Librarian. Maryan is an AO Board Member and serves as a Community Outreach Liason.
Loves: ceramics, going on walks, reading
-
Dr. Nama is a community educator whose work promotes creativity, healing, justice, and curious compassion in people of all ages. She pulls from her anthropological background, trauma informed breath-work certification, and intergroup dialogue experience, to facilitate a wide variety of learning environments. She is a mother of two wildflowers who introduced her to the nourishing qualities of nature. Her unschooling experience taught her that children need time: to exist, and to play, outside. She co-founded AO to give children a space to simply be children.
Loves: creating herbal concoctions, art-making, reading, gardening.
-
She holds a BA in English and a Master's in Public Health, with a focus on community health. She has worked with nonprofits such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Red Cross, and has experience teaching English overseas. She continues to organize communities by raising awareness, and money, for those most impacted by oppressive governments. She is a mother of three adventurous children who love being outside and share Nesha’s deep appreciation for growing things. She is the owner of a cottage bakery, Baradari LLC, which extends her love for baking, giving, and supporting local community efforts.
Loves: baking, gardening, writing poetry, and reading.
-
She is a people leader with experience in performance and project management. In her experience with parent teacher organizations, she learned that many children are not provided with an appropriate amount of outdoor time. A mother of three, she is passionate about providing access to the outdoors and nature to children of color. At AO, she she has helped build summer camps, retreats, and family hikes. She is a mom of two, She joined Amanah Outsiders after volunteering during both summer camps and counselor training. Tahiyya serves as an AO board member as secretary and project manager.
Loves: reading, baking, crafting.
-
She is a high school student who loves getting lost in books and creating stories of her own. An advocate and a justice warrior, she hopes to become a lawyer one day. She is the eldest of five and deeply cares about history, justice, and human rights. Yusra has been a camp counselor and volunteer with AO since its inception. Being part of the community and supporting kids explore the outdoors is something she really enjoys.
Loves: reading, writing, poetry, history, swimming, archery, photography, and video editing.
-
She is a community member who began her journey as a language teacher and now counsels on healthy lifestyles, understanding diseases and preventive care. She believes nature nourishes our souls, encouraging individuals to discover inner peace in the outdoors. A mother of two beautiful hearts, Zebo strives to develop her children’s connection to the natural world. Her time with AO taught her that every individual is part of the earth and its natural cycles. She continues to guide adults and children to be aligned with their values and connected to the earth.
Loves: Traveling, gardening, cooking, and learning new skills
Got Questions? Here's a list
Got more questions, let us know below!
-
They are free unless otherwise specified.
-
Yourselves; leave the toys and devices at home. We want to be fully present and immersed in our nature experience. We also suggest packing water and snack.
-
None, we choose trails for beginners and families.
-
Reach out if interested, we’ll do a vibe check!
-
We welcome all ages, especially for our family hikes. If an event has an age restriction, it's there for a reason.
-
It depends on the weather; check the temperature and wind, see if it's raining or snowing. When in doubt, layer up!
-
We’ll still be there… doing our rain Sunnahs.
-
Yes! We love working with folks who care about young people, believe in collective healing, and enjoy coalition building. Let’s dream together!
SHOP AMANAH GEAR
CONTACT
OUR TEAM
Let us know if you wanna chat, we love to talk about all the things.
Coming soon in 2026!
Amanah Summer Camp offers an immersive camp experience for children ages 5–13, where they learn, play, and create in the outdoors. Our summer camp is held on the traditional territories of the Miami indigenous peoples, and exhibits mounds from peoples of Adena culture.