Teens to Trails Announces Winners of Life Happens Outside® Challenge
22 Maine Middle and High Schools Spend Over 9,000 Hours Outdoors During One Week in October

In October, Teens to Trails introduced the Life Happens Outside® Challenge for middle and high schools in Maine. The challenge was designed to foster an appreciation for the outdoors and its many wellness benefits. Twenty-two schools participated in the week-long challenge by tracking and logging outdoor activities at home and at school.

One school in each of the Northern, Central and Southern parts of the state was selected to win $1,000 by logging the most outdoor hours proportional to their school size. The cash prize is offered by Arcadia, a climate crisis–fighting tech company.

The winners are: Dedham School, Matinicus Island School and the REAL School in Brunswick. Runners up in each region are: Caravel Middle School, Ecology Learning Center and Greely High School.

“We are thrilled that so many Maine schools, students and teachers took part in this challenge,” said Alicia Heyburn, Executive Director of Teens to Trails. “Students reported feeling refreshed, happier and more relaxed, just by taking time to enjoy the outdoors, which is exactly what we hoped for. And I hope they keep it up!” The winning schools will use their $1,000 prize to further outdoor access at their schools.

Middle and high school students across the state spent over 9,000 hours outdoors in one week — 11+ hours per participant. This is well-above the national average; children aged 10 to 16 now spend a mere 12 minutes a day on vigorous outdoor activity.

“Spending more time outdoors made me feel more active and helped relieve lots of stress. “

”Focusing on spending more time outside this week has made me feel more connected to myself and to nature. It’s definitely something I want to continue to make a priority.”

— Students at Lee Academy