The Second Nature Adventure Challenge encourages people in Western Maine to be active outdoors, and in 2020 the program added a fundraising incentive to address food insecurity heightened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

One hundred seventy-seven people registered their trail-based winter hikes, walks, x-country ski trips, and fat bike rides on Maine Trail Finder, well surpassing the challenge goal of getting 100 people from the Oxford Hills, greater Bethel, and the River Valley areas to participate.

On Feb. 25, the Maine West initiative delivered $1,000 checks to each of three area food pantries:

  • Bethel Area: Woodstock Food Pantry, Woodstock
  • Oxford Hills: Daddy O’s Act of Kindness Foundation, Oxford
  • River Valley: RSU 56 Food Pantries, Dixfield

The vacation week outdoor wellness challenge was the second fundraising event that Maine West ran through its Second Nature Adventure Challenge program to help area food pantries respond to food insecurity driven by the ongoing impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic. In fall 2019, Maine West donated $6,000 to food pantries after Second Nature Adventure Challenge participants logged 709 outdoor activities.

“Our contact at RSU 56 Food Pantries in the River Valley said she heard students talking about the challenge and planning outdoor activities for vacation week, so we know we succeeded at both our goals,” said Mike Wilson, senior program director for the Center. “Getting people active outdoors is a key element in increasing overall wellness, and the challenge has supported the vital services that food pantries are offering at the same time.”

Maine West encourages people to stay active outdoors year-round through its Second Nature Adventure Challenge. Anyone can sign up for free at to get started.

The Center helped launch the Second Nature Adventure Challenge through Maine West, a partnership of local and regional organizations working to enhance community well-being in western Maine. Maine West works across the Oxford Hills, River Valley and Bethel-Mahoosuc areas of northern Oxford County, to provide collaborative programming in three focal areas: Active Communities, Broadband Access and Adoption, and Educational Attainment and Aspirations. The Center coordinates the Maine West initiative.

See the Second Nature Adventure Challenge website for the latest challenges and results.

Second Nature was modeled on other  hiking challenges in the region, such as the Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit and Saranac 6ers in the Adirondacks.