About Maple and Melanin and Your Guide

Welcome to Maple and Melanin — a heartfelt offering of summer, nature, and community, created with love and intention.

I'm Whitney - your guide and host, and I'm so excited you're here. I grew up spending precious summer days at my family's cabin on a lake in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Those sun-soaked afternoons and starry nights shaped my deepest sense of peace and connection. Now, I’m thrilled to invite you to experience a piece of that magic with me.

The Northeast Kingdom is a place where time slows down and nature takes center stage. It’s where you can spend the day swimming, boating, fishing, hiking — or simply lounging in a porch swing, reading under the wide blue sky, and watching hummingbirds dance at the feeder. When night falls, the Milky Way spills across the sky in a breathtaking show of stars.

With Maple and Melanin, I’m creating a safe, welcoming space specifically for Black folx to tap into the beauty, wonder, and joy of an elevated camping experience. It’s a week to unplug, to breathe deep, and to be restored by the woods, the water, and the wide-open skies. Whether you’re ready for low-key adventures or just want to savor a slow, sweet summer rhythm, this week is for you.

I bring years of experience camping, exploring the outdoors, and navigating the unique joys of rustic living in this region. I'm here to guide and support you every step of the way, whether it’s your first time camping or your fiftieth.

Maple and Melanin is about community, connection, and a celebration of nature’s simple, powerful gifts — and I can't wait to share it with you.

Come swing on the porch, float in the lake, hike the hills, and sit around the fire with us. Your summer magic is waiting.