{"id":10251,"date":"2016-11-18T07:30:25","date_gmt":"2016-11-18T15:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=10251"},"modified":"2018-11-11T21:49:06","modified_gmt":"2018-11-12T05:49:06","slug":"outdoor-nation-inspires-new-generation-optoutside","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/outdoor-nation-inspires-new-generation-optoutside","title":{"rendered":"Outdoor Nation Inspires a New Generation to #OptOutside"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

The same is true of #OptOutside<\/a>. What started as one company\u2019s commitment has grown into a movement that millions have joined. And we\u2019re both just getting started!<\/p>\n

Outdoor Nation is proud to join with REI and build on last year\u2019s incredible success: Inspiring a new generation to get outside on Black Friday.<\/p>\n

And the need to #OptOutside has never been more important. Consider that today\u2019s 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<\/em>, a\u00a0leading research journal concerned with global health, to declare that physical inactivity is now \u201ca\u00a0pandemic with far-reaching\u00a0health, economic, environmental and social consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Outdoor<\/p>\n

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\u00a0and those living in underserved communities, don\u2019t have the access or resources to experience natural places. In fact, the Outdoor Foundation\u2019s 2016 Outdoor Participation Report<\/em> confirms that people of color\u00a0consistently trail\u00a0their white\u00a0counterparts in outdoor participation at just about every age.<\/p>\n

\"Outdoor<\/p>\n

That\u2019s 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\u2014in just six weeks.<\/p>\n

\"Outdoor<\/p>\n

#OptOuside – Will You Go Out With Us?<\/h4>\n

Building on this success, Outdoor Nation is mobilizing its entire community to #OptOutside this Black Friday\u2014and encouraging everyone to share their outdoor adventures via social using #optoutside and #outdoornation. And, while being outside is the best reward, we\u2019re giving away 25 REI prize packages to\u00a0selected winners as an extra bonus.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Outdoor<\/p>\n

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\u2019re building a stronger Outdoor Nation!<\/p>\n

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