The Maine West initiative is 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, according to a news release from the Oxford County Wellness Collaborative.

Starting Saturday, Feb. 19, people can sign up for the Second Nature Adventure Challenge and start tracking all types of outdoor recreation activities, such as skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating, sledding and walking. If 200 area residents sign on and track an activity between Feb. 19 and 27, 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.

This year’s beneficiaries include the Bethel Recreation Department, the Oxford Hills Bill Koch Youth Ski Club and the Chisholm Ski Club.

Over the past two years, more than 500 people have teamed up to complete more than 1,000 outdoor trail activities and secure $15,500 in community reward funding for food pantries and local afterschool programs in Western Maine. Past program beneficiaries include Destination Paris, Mahoosuc Kids Association, Western Foothills Kids Association, Agnes Gray Elementary School Food Pantry, Bethel Food Pantry, and Servant’s Heart Food Pantry in Peru.

Signing up for the Second Nature Adventure Challenge is free and can be done online at secondnaturemaine.com.

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