Get Active: Join The Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge

By Francine Fluetsch on March 25, 2014

image via yukoncharlies.com

We all know the importance of getting outside and staying active, but a lot of us have so much to do already that we just don’t have the motivation to get outside after a long day (naps usually win us over). So if you need that extra motivation, search no further!

Outdoor Nation–a key program of Outdoor Foundation–with the partnership of The North Face, is launching its first ever Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge. The North Face will invest in the best ideas, from college students like you, to get students outside and active. They are looking for ideas from colleges and universities all across America, since they know that the best way to inspire young people is by using ideas from the young people themselves.

What is the Outdoor Foundation?

The Outdoor Foundation is a non-profit organization that concerns itself with inspiring the growing future generations to get outside and be active. The foundation joins with its partners to help spread the word of the importance of being active. With dedicated research, education programs and action oriented outreach, the foundation inspires people to appreciate the wonders of the great outdoors and show them that being active is fun. In 2010, the foundation launched Outdoor Nation, a program that encourages young leaders to get other students active on campuses and in communities across the United States.

Why get involved?

According to this press release, the top ten colleges will be announced in May and will be receiving a grant as well as resources to make their outdoor activity ideas take flight for the fall 2014 semester.

“College students are among the most creative, innovative, and influential group of people in our country today,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation, in the press release. Having students put their heads together will ensure that the ideas generated will be things that students will have a desire to get involved in.

And the winner is …

What better way to get students motivated than adding some friendly competition into the mix? Though the top ten colleges will be awarded, there will be one national “Outdoor National Campus Champion” of all the schools. To obtain this title, the college must go above and beyond and be the ones to inspire the greatest number of people to get up off the couch and get outside! Winning this title will win the college a scholarship for an outdoor program assistant, custom gear library, and a major outdoor festival for all students. That is sounding pretty good to me. They will also be able to say that their idea was the best in the nation … oh you know, no biggy right? Coming up with ideas will be a fun way to encourage students that being outside is an important part of every day.

Getting the challenge out there

Outdoor Nation has also teamed up with NIRSA, who is the leading membership association for both students and professionals working in campus recreation, to help them get the word out about the program. NIRSA is a perfect partner since they are all about “healthy people and healthy communities,” according to NIRSA Executive Director Pam Watts. This program will help students make active life-style choices, and get them away from Netflix (don’t worry, you can still catch up on your New Girl episodes).

Individual achievement

In addition to the Outdoor National Campus Champion, there is also going to be an award called the “Outsider of the Year,” which will be given to the student that inspires the most people to get up and get outside. The winner of this awesome award will receive a year’s worth of outdoor gear, an internship with the Outdoor Foundation, and an outdoor trip of a life time. Plus, you know, all the bragging rights they will get. Imagine what an honor it would be to get picked! Start cooking up some ideas.

Participation counts

You don’t have to get the grand prize to get items. The Challenge wants students to get involved, so they will be providing incentives and rewards simply for participation, regardless of where your school is on the leader board. This means that schools will be given the chance to earn gear simply by completing challenges and meeting goals. Getting pumped? You should be.

How does it work?

Progress will be tracked online and will recognize school and individual leaders as well as reward participation. The national champion will be recognized by the end of the semester, so you have time to get your booty in motion and start coming up with some award winning ideas.

If you want to get involved as a student or university, or want to support the Campus Challenge, you can contact Chris Fanning at cfanning@outdoorfoundation.org. Want more information? Visit the application for the Campus Challenge here.

So what are you waiting for? You have great ideas, so put them to the test! Get out there, be active, avoid the freshman 15 and earn some cool active gear. Who knew it could be this much fun?

 

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