Ten universities across the U.S. are engaging in the first-ever Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge, an initiative of the Outdoor Foundation that kicked off Sept. 27 and runs through Nov. 22. For eight weeks, schools will go head-to-head for the title of National Champion – “the most ‘outdoorsy’ school in America.” Most importantly, this challenge aims to use the creativity and ingenuity of college students to encourage outdoor recreaction participation among young people today.
Schools competing in the Challenge include: Appalachian State University, California State University, Long Beach, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, George Mason University, James Madison University, Michigan Technological University, University of Central Florida, University of Iowa and University of Wisconsin-Madison and Spelman College.
These universities will compete to see which campus can get the most people outside and active. Through contests, prizes and good ‘ole fashion rivalry, universities will provide incentives to their student bodies and larger communities to get outside and active. Prizes include title of Most Outdoorsy Individual as well as new gear, a campus-wide celebration, head-to-toe outfitting by The North Face, internship with the Outdoor Foundation and more. Contest Core will be the platform that allows Outdoor Nation to track, validate, reward and recognize participation at oncampuschallenge.org.
“College students are among the most creative people in our country today and we’re excited to see how they use their innovative ideas and talent activate their campuses,” said Chris Fanning executive director of the Outdoor Foundation. “We believe they have the power to make real change in their generation by getting their peers outside and active. We know to truly inspire a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts the ideas and energy must come from them – thus, the Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge.”
The Challenge, fueled by The North Face, was developed to combat some of today’s bleak statistics around young people and outdoor participation. Current research tells us young people spend 50 percent less time outdoors in natural settings than the generation that preceded them. The average young adult today spends eight hours in front of a screen and only a few minutes outside.
“Having a truly great experience in the outdoors is the first spark that can ignite a lifelong passion for nature and protecting the places we all love to play,” said Ann Krcik, director of Outdoor Exploration at The North Face. “The Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge is inspiring students and their communities to experience the outdoors in new ways, helping us create a global movement of outdoor exploration.”
