Western Maine youth programs will benefit from the 2022 winter Second Nature Adventure Challenge. Photo courtesy of Western Foothills Kids Association.
Winter Adventurers Meet Challenge, Raising Funds for Outdoor Programs
The Second Nature Adventure Challenge – an ongoing effort to encourage healthy outdoor activity and support programs that get youth outside in western Maine – logged another successful challenge over February vacation. Skiers, snowshoers, walkers, bikers, and others logged 500 outdoor adventures, securing $3,000 in support for local groups.
Maine West partner Oxford County Wellness Collaborative Healthy Oxford Hills manages the successful recreation challenges. “Maine West uses creative partnerships to connect people to our region’s incredible outdoor offerings,” said Amy Scott, the Center’s Maine West program manager. “Being active in the outdoors is healthy, and usually a lot of fun, yet many people experience barriers to getting outside. The Second Nature Challenge achieves the dual goals of getting people of all ages active outdoors and supporting local organizations focused on outdoor opportunities for youth in the area.”
Brendan Schauffler, program manager for Healthy Oxford Hills, a program of Western Maine Health, presented $1,000 checks to three beneficiaries of the winter challenge. The funds will help Woodstock Elementary School buy new snowshoes for its students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Chisholm Ski Club will use its award to support Alpine and Nordic skiing for River Valley youth, and Oxford Hills School District will use its funds to help purchase a new set of snowshoes for children in pre-kindergarten.
“All of these organizations are doing great work to get more kids in western Maine outdoors and active,” said Brendan. “We want to thank all of them for the way they serve their communities and for helping to spread the word about the Second Nature Adventure Challenge!”
Many partners in the Maine West coalition, which the Center manages, contribute to the success of the challenge by helping to promote it. In addition, three members — Inland Woods + Trails, Mahoosuc Land Trust, and Western Foothills Land Trust welcome visitors to the extensive trails and special place they steward.
“We really appreciate how people help spread the word about the challenge online and get their friends and family outside to make these events successful,” said Brendan. “We couldn’t have done it without the help of so many partners.”
Since inception in 2017, the Second Nature Adventure Challenge has recorded almost 7,000 outdoor adventure activities, securing $36,350 for local groups that support recreation. “We’re cooking up something new for the next recreation challenge,” said Brendan. Plans for the summer challenge will be announced in the spring.
