The Life Happens Outside® Challenge provides a way for a whole middle school to spend as much time as possible outside for one whole week.
Every minute outside counts — from sports practice to dog walking, camping in the yard, or doing homework in the park!
It’s best when the whole school takes part and the community supports them. And most importantly, the challenge provides an outlet for kids to be unplugged outside and engaged in real life.
Dates: May 9-16, 2025
Participants: Students, faculty, and staff at Maine Middle schools (grades 5-8)
The prize: The top 3 schools with the most outdoor minutes will win $1,000 to use towards outdoor activities for your school.
What Students Are Saying About
The Life Happens Outside® Challenge Experience
“I got to spend time outside with my dad. It was awesome!”
— Student at Wiscasset Middle High School
“Students said they were more relaxed and excited to be at school after the challenge.”
— Teacher at Windham Middle School
“Students who spend more time outdoors appear less anxious and better able to be engaged in their classwork.”
— Teacher at Bucksport Middle School
“Being outside made me happy.”
— Anna, Athens Community School
2024 Life Happens Outside® Challenge by the Numbers
15 Participating Schools
Middle schools from all over the state of Maine joined us for the 2024 Spring Challenge. All told, 3,542 students participated.
34,000+ Hours Spent Outside
If you do the math, students spent over 1,450 days outside in just one week. That’s the equivalent of 4 years!
591+ Outdoor Minutes Per Student
Our 2024 Life Happens Outside Challenge students spent 7x the national average outdoors. To date, 12-18 year olds in the U.S. spend 78 minutes outside each day.
