With more than 30,000 energized students leading the way, Outdoor Nation is often described as one of the largest communities of young people mobilizing a new generation to get outdoors. The impact has been impressive and inspiring, and yet, Outdoor Nation represents a vision that is so much more.
The same is true of #OptOutside. What started as one company’s commitment has grown into a movement that millions have joined. And we’re both just getting started!
Outdoor Nation is proud to join with REI and build on last year’s incredible success: Inspiring a new generation to get outside on Black Friday.
And the need to #OptOutside has never been more important. Consider that today’s youth spend 50 percent less time outdoors than the generation that preceded them and, on average, are in front of a screen eight hours a day and just minutes outdoors. This dramatic shift has caused The Lancet, a leading research journal concerned with global health, to declare that physical inactivity is now “a pandemic with far-reaching health, economic, environmental and social consequences.”
We believe that outdoor recreation has a profound impact on the health and well-being of young people, and that outdoor experiences help cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards and advocates. Unfortunately, many youth populations, including communities of color and those living in underserved communities, don’t have the access or resources to experience natural places. In fact, the Outdoor Foundation’s 2016 Outdoor Participation Report confirms that people of color consistently trail their white counterparts in outdoor participation at just about every age.
That’s why Outdoor Nation is working to increase outdoor participation among young people from all walks of life. Earlier this fall, the Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge inspired 90 colleges to compete to get the most people outdoors. The result: nearly 20,000 young people participated in 125,000 outdoor activities—in just six weeks.
#OptOuside – Will You Go Out With Us?
Building on this success, Outdoor Nation is mobilizing its entire community to #OptOutside this Black Friday—and encouraging everyone to share their outdoor adventures via social using #optoutside and #outdoornation. And, while being outside is the best reward, we’re giving away 25 REI prize packages to selected winners as an extra bonus.
In addition, with generous support from REI, we are providing funding to 10 colleges across the country with the most innovative ideas for getting their campus community to #OptOutside.
One of my favorites is Texas State University, which is setting geocaches in six local parks green spaces. The college will release the specific coordinates Black Friday morning with prizes at each, including free adventure trips and boat rental vouchers. To win, individuals must submit pictures of themselves at the location using hashtag #optoutside and #TexasState.
Thanks to REI and the #optoutside campaign, millions of people across the country will opt for sunlight over florescent lights, slacklines over store lines and camping spots over parking lots. Together, we’re building a stronger Outdoor Nation!