The Governor’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign encourages New York State’s kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings, and put their mental and physical health first. The Get Offline, Get Outside Challenge supports the Governor’s initiative by providing a tool to inspire youth to engage in outdoor activities.
New York State’s kids are challenged to complete all 50 activities. The challenge is designed to be completed by anyone and encourages participants to try new activities and visit new parks, forests, wildlife management areas, and other outdoor locations in their communities and across the state. With several dozen activities available, this challenge is intended to be completed over time.
Anyone who completes all 50 activities can receive a commemorative sticker and downloadable certificate to mark their accomplishment.
Go to: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/get-offline-get-outside for more information and to download the activity list.
- Walk, run, or roll a mile.
- Learn to cast a fishing rod.
- Pitch a tent.
- Identify 3 animals by their tracks.
- Grow something from a seed.
- Have a picnic outside with family or friends.
- Try a new hiking trail or nature walk.
- Learn how to compost.
- Visit a pond, lake, stream, river, waterfall, or the ocean.
- Draw something from nature.
- Roast marshmallows or cook food over a fire.
- Go birding.
- Spend 20 quiet minutes immersing your senses in nature.
- Make a snow angel.
- Join a local outdoors group or club.
- Learn the 7 Principles of Leave No TraceTM .
- Identify 5 trees.
- Play a team sport outdoors.
- Complete a nature scavenger hunt.
- Read a book under a tree.
- Learn how to safely start and put out a fire.
- Go fishing.
- Stay out for a lunar eclipse or meteor shower.
- Volunteer at a cleanup event near you.
- Identify the phase of the moon in the night sky.
- Try archery.
- Identify 3 native pollinators.
- Enjoy fall foliage on a nature walk or hike.
- Paddle a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard.
- Go ice skating.
- Learn how to use a compass and map.
- Plant a tree.
- Build a sandcastle or sand sculpture.
- Sleep in a tent under the stars.
- Take a dip at a lake or the beach.
- Go for a bike ride.
- Learn and attempt an animal call.
- Identify 5 flowers.
- Visit an environmental education center or nature center.
- Start a nature journal.
- Build a snowman or snow fort.
- Lay in a hammock outdoors.
- Watch the sunrise or sunset.
- Find a fossil.
- Identify 3 constellations in the night sky.
- Eat something you grew, foraged, harvested, or caught.
- Try a new winter sport.
- Learn about hunter safety.
- Visit a fire tower or lighthouse.
- Participate in a community science survey.
