Give Back When You Get Outside This Winter

Partnership in Western Maine connects outdoor recreation with local youth programs.

The Maine West initiative is once again challenging people across the Oxford Hills, greater Bethel, and the River Valley areas to earn cash rewards for local youth programs by getting outside for healthy outdoor activities during the upcoming school vacation week. Maine West is a collaborative of thirteen organizations in western Maine facilitated by the Northern Forest Center.

Starting February 17, people can sign up for the Second Nature Adventure Challenge and start tracking all types of outdoor recreation activities—from skiing and snowshoeing to ice-skating, sledding, and walking. If area residents sign on and track a total of 500 activities between February 17 and 25, Maine West will contribute $3,000 to help local groups increase opportunities for kids to get outside by organizing outings, providing outdoor gear, and other efforts.

The Summer 2023 Second Nature Adventure Challenge met both goals of 1,200 total outdoor adventures and 100 new participants. The Winter 2023 event logged 806 outdoor adventures, doubling the initial goal of 400. More participants meant there was more funding for youth programs in the region.

Beneficiaries of the 2024 Winter Second Nature Challenge will each receive at least $1,000 in contributions if Maine West area residents sign on and log at least 500 activities as part of the Challenge. This year’s beneficiaries include:

Bethel Area: Woodstock Elementary School
Oxford Hills: SAD17 Pre-K students
River Valley: Chisholm Ski Club

Photos from Woodstock Elementary School, one of the beneficiaries.

“At Woodstock Elementary School, we are committed to building resiliency so that children acquire the skills to recover from setbacks and bounce back from adversity,” shares Beth Clarke, Principal of Woodstock Elementary School. “We build resiliency by providing supportive and caring relationships, high expectations, and opportunities for students to connect with their natural surroundings. Being a beneficiary of the winter Second Nature Adventure Challenge will allow all our children, kindergarten through grade five, access to our Buck’s Ledge Community Forest in the winter months. We are forever grateful for this gift.”

“Funding from the Second Nature Adventure Challenge will help us continue to connect River Valley youth to skiing and snowboarding opportunities,” said Roger Arsenault, a board member of the Chisholm Ski Club.

Brendan Schauffler, facilitator of the Oxford County Wellness Collaborative and program coordinator for the Challenge explains that “winter is a great time to enjoy outdoor activities in Maine, but we know not everyone is comfortable getting out in the cold and snow. The Second Nature Adventure Challenge helps people find outdoor activities that match their comfort level while also supporting local groups that are helping kids get out and enjoy the outdoors.”

Signing up for the Second Nature Adventure Challenge is free and easy. Visit www.secondnaturemaine.com to get started.

The Second Nature Adventure Challenge is a project of Maine West (www.mainewest.org) – a partnership of local and regional organizations facilitated by the Northern Forest Center working to enhance community well-being in western Maine through increased collaboration across the economic, education, health and conservation sectors.

Maine West works across the Oxford Hills, River Valley and Bethel-Mahoosuc areas of northern Oxford County, to provide network-based, collaborative programming in three areas: Active Communities, Broadband Access and Adoption, and Educational Attainment and Aspirations.

Staff Contacts

man smiling in front of trees

Mike Wilson

Senior Program Director

Email

Cell: 603-731-0558

photo of Amy Scott

Amy Scott

Program Manager

Email

Cell: 207-357-3189