Digital Operative and The Outdoor Foundation encourage the outdoor industry to “walk the talk” by getting more young people outside and active

The Outdoor Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the Get You(th) Outdoors Challenge kicking off at Rendezvous in October. Digital Operative has built an interactive online platform to engage members of the outdoor industry, encouraging them to share their love and passion for the outdoors with others.

“Many people look at technology as a hindrance to outdoor participation,” said Digital Operative CEO BJ Cook. “We look at it as a catalyst for connecting more people outside.”

From October 1 through December 1, anyone in the outdoor industry can share stories and photos of great ways they’ve helped get young people outside and active — encouraging more outdoor participation among youth. The entries that receive the most votes or “likes” will win. Prizes include, gear and three opportunities for $500 of funding to go toward the outdoor non-profit of the winner’s choice.

The Get Yout(th) Outdoors Challenge is to encourage outdoor industry insiders to reach both within and outside their four walls to engage customers, friends, family and employees in getting outside. “Ensuring that the next generation has the opportunity to play outside is imperative to the outdoor industry,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation. “This industry-wide competition puts the hiking stick back in the hands of outdoor leaders, and gives them a platform to use their influence and grow outdoor participation.”

This is one of two campaigns launched this year by The Outdoor Foundation, giving youth and outdoor brands a fun way to track their outdoor activities, create friendly competitions to get more people outside, while sharing their experiences.

The second campaign, the Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge will bring 10 colleges and universities together for a head-to-head competition to see who can get the most people outside and active. Participants will log their outdoor activities to win, but the ultimate goal is that thousands of young people will be introduced to the outdoors, many for the first time.  The winning school will get the title of national champion, and the winning individual will get an internship with the Outdoor Foundation and head-to-toe outfitting from The North Face, among many other prizes.

“These campaigns give companies and colleges a unique way to engage with their employees and students,” said Fanning. “We’re hoping to blend online social contests with outdoor activities in order to reach and introduce new people to the activities we love.”

For more information about the challenges, visit getyou(th)outdoors.org or oncampuschallenge.org.

 

Logo courtesy The Outdoor Foundation