The new “Get Offline, Get Outside Challenge” is part of New York state’s many efforts to help address the youth mental health crisis by encouraging teens to engage in interesting and exciting outdoor activities.
The challenge includes 50 activities such as fishing, birding, starting a nature journal, identifying five tree species, going for a bike ride and learning about hunting safety. The challenge is designed to be completed by anyone and encourages participants to try new activities and visit new parks, forests, wildlife management areas and other outdoor locations in their communities and across the state.
The challenge kicked off at the 25th annual Fall Festival held at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve & Environmental Education Center on Sept. 20, where over 150 youth completed a mini-version of the challenge and nearly 2,000 people enjoyed the festival’s activities.
To complete the challenge, youth ages 12-18 should complete all 50 activities before turning 19. Participants are then eligible to receive a commemorative sticker, certificate, and prizes to celebrate their accomplishment.
Examples of activities on the challenge list:
• Walk, run or roll a mile;
• Learn to cast a fishing rod;
• Set up a tent;
• Identify an animal by their tracks;
• Grow something from a seed;
• Have a picnic outside with family or friends;
• Try a new hiking trail or nature walk;
• Visit a pond, lake, stream, river, waterfall or the ocean;
• Draw something from nature; and
• Roast marshmallows or cook food over a fire.
