On Friday, March 15 Teens to Trails opens registration for the first ever Spring Life Happens Outside® Challenge for Maine middle schools (grades 5-8). The challenge is designed to get students and teachers outdoors, as research shows that spending time outside positively impacts mental and physical health.
Teens to Trails has made it easy for school communities to participate. Any activity outside counts from doing homework at a picnic table, biking to school, sports practice or even backyard camping.
The top eight schools that tally the most outdoor minutes, based on school size and population, will win $1,000 each towards outdoor programming for their students.
“We are so excited to offer the Life Happens Outside® Challenge for Maine middle schools this spring,” said Teens to Trails Executive Director Alicia Heyburn. “Teens to Trails hears from healthcare experts, parents and teachers that teenagers feel better on the inside when they spend time outside.”
Bucksport Middle School is one of the winning schools who participated in the fall 2023 Life Happens Outside® Challenge, and experienced the benefits of time outside. Science teacher Miles Bisher, the Outdoor Club Advisor for the school, collected student and teacher responses to gauge the effects of their week outdoors. Students said they felt more energized, confident and motivated to do more. And teachers said students seemed happier, more engaged, and behaved better. Bisher said of the experience, “It was especially exciting to hear about kids feeling inspired to camp in their yards, or to hear about teachers finding creative ways to incorporate the outdoors into their curriculum.”
Unum is the lead sponsor of the Life Happens Outside® Challenge, and will also be encouraging their staff to enjoy extra time outside during the one week challenge. “There are many benefits to be had when we step outside. Unum is thrilled to support this spring’s Life Happens Outside® Challenge. Together we can encourage students to build a lifelong connection with nature and their communities through the boundless possibilities that await them outside!” says Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Kelly Thayer.
The Life Happens Outside® Challenge kicks off at 12 p.m. on Friday, May 10 and runs through Friday, May 17 at 12 p.m. All Maine middle schools are eligible to participate, entry is free and available on the Teens to Trails website, where you’ll find registration information, posters, and a handy time tracker app.
Visit teenstotrails.org/life-happens-outside-challenge-1 to register.
Winners will be announced in late May.