NORWAY — 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. 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 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.

Over the past two years, more than 1,000 people have teamed up to complete over 2,500 outdoor activities and secure over $20,000 in community reward funding for food pantries and local after-school programs in Western Maine. Past program beneficiaries have included Destination Paris, Mahoosuc Kids Association, Bethel Recreation Department, Oxford Hills Outing Club/Bill Koch League, Western Foothills Kids Association, Agnes Gray Elementary School Food Pantry, Bethel Food Pantry, and Servant’s Heart Food Pantry in Peru.

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

‘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 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.

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.