"Restore Balance. Most children have technology, school and extracurricular activities covered. It is time to add a pinch of adventure, a sprinkle of sunshine and a big handful of Outdoor play" - Penny Whitehouse
Why It's Important
Studies worldwide have shown that children are healthier, happier, and smarter through outdoor play, exploration and learning. Currently, the average American boy or girl spends 4-7 minutes of unstructured play outside each day and 7 hours in front of an electronic screen. Connecting children and nature has important health benefits. Research shows that outdoor time helps children grow lean and strong, enhances imaginations and attention spans, decreases aggression, promotes cooperation and boosts academic performance.
Each registrant will receive a free t-shirt after turning in their first 100 hour increment of the tracker sheet.
IT'S EASY TO REGISTER
Registration is easy and free of charge. Follow this LINK to register now. You may participate in the program without registering but you must register to be eligible to win the prizes.
GOALS OF THE OUTSIDE EVERYDAY CHALLENGE...
- Get families outside everyday, and strive for 1000 hours outside over the next year!
- Educate on the benefits of providing an environment for growing children that encourage outdoor play and exploration.
- Encourage families to take action, we will be offering rewards.
CHALLENGE SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
We will be supporting families in their outdoor adventures with various ideas and enticers to get their family outside. Use this 1,000 Hour Tracking Sheet to log the time you spend outside.
Family Nature Quest Books
Family Nature Quest books with outdoor activities will be posted in the Outside Everyday Challenge Facebook group or you can access them by following this link.
Facebook Group Prize Drawings
Check out these incentives for participating and sharing experiences in the group Facebook page - for each comment or photo that you post on the Facebook page, you will get an entry into various drawings (make sure your Facebook page is set to "public" so that we can see it). The Facebook group is a private group that you can request permission to join after you register for the program.
Follow this link to the OUTSIDE EVERYDAY CHALLENGE Facebook Group to request permission to join and start the fun!
Bingo Cards
Weather appropriate outside activities and a monthly bingo sheet with daily activity ideas will be provided. Submit your completed BINGO card here by the last day of each month in order to be entered into the prize drawing. The prize drawing will be held the first week of each month and winners will be notified by email and in the Outside Everyday Challenge Facebook group.
| January | May | September |
| February | June | October |
| March | July | November |
| April | August | December |
PRIZE - REWARD STRUCTURE
Participants will receive an email notifying them that prizes are ready to be picked up at the administrative office at Lost Creek Reserve. All winners of the prize drawings will have prizes shipped directly to their homes. Complete this form as you achieve each 100 hour increment. The drawing will be held the first day of each month.
- Automatic prizes for each 100 hour level up to 300 hours spent outside - view prize choices
- Automatic prizes for each 100 hour from 400 to 700 hours spent outside - view prize choices
- Automatic prizes for each 100 hour from 800 thru 1000 hour levels - view prize choices
- Prize drawing for 100 thru 500 hour levels - view prize choices
- Prize drawing for 600 thru 1000 hour levels - view prize choices
- Bingo sheet prize drawing. - view prize choices
- Incentives for participating and sharing experiences in the group Facebook page - view prize choices
Please contact Naturalist Rachel Fuller at rfuller@miamicountyparks.com to arrange a time to pickup a backpack.