Wyoming Arts Council

The art of the Wyoming Outside Challenge

Featured News | April 6, 2015

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A press release from our colleagues at WY Outside:

WY Outside is launching an exciting new effort to connect Wyoming children and families with outdoor recreation in the state—the WY Outside Challenge.

The hands-on, outdoor event provides participants with an opportunity to complete a wide variety of outdoor activities throughout 2015, then document and submit their accomplishments on a scorecard and with photos.

To participate in the 2015 WY Outside Challenge, Wyoming youth can visit www.wyoutside.com and download the official scorecard. Scorecards are available online now and will also be distributed at a variety of WY Outside-endorsed events throughout the year.

The event is supported by multiple state leaders, including Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jillian Balow. “As a mom I can’t wait to get my kids involved in the WY Outside Challenge so they can come to love the Wyoming outdoors I grew up in. It’s a win-win for parents and kids to spend time together learning about all that is in our own backyard and across our great state.”

The scorecard contains WY Outside Challenge activities such as hiking, camping in a yurt, sleeping out under the stars, catching a fish, going snowshoeing and climbing a tree. Points are awarded for each activity and participants keep track of their own score, taking a photo of each challenge.

All entries for the 2015 Challenge are due on January 15, 2016.  All photos and scorecards should be submitted to the WY Outside Administrative Coordinator. Every participant who obtains 200 points will receive a certificate proclaiming them a “WY Outside Challenge Master,” signed by Governor Matt Mead and Superintendent Balow. They will then be entered in a drawing to receive additional outdoor-themed prizes.

“Wyoming is a wonderful, unique place where we have access to things like trails, mountains, forests and outdoor recreation sites close to many of our towns and cities,” said Rebecca Walsh, owner of Just Trails and member of the WY Outside coalition. “We hope this Challenge will introduce children to new outdoor activities and hopefully create lifelong memories for families in our state.”

WY Outside will be using their website and various social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to highlight the progress of those who participate in the outdoor Challenge.  Photos can also be shared on social media using the hashtag #wyoutsidechallenge.

The outdoor Challenge coincides with the recently created Wyoming Youth Outdoor Bill of Rights (YOBR). The Wyoming YOBR was compiled by WY Outside, and signed as a proclamation by Wyoming Governor Matt Mead on Feb. 27, after surveying youth across the state to find out what outdoor experiences were important to them.  The premise behind a YOBR is the belief that every child, youth, and family in the state should be given the opportunity to experience the outdoors in some way. The YOBR is posted on www.wyoutside.com.

WY Outside is a coalition of various state and government agencies as well as small businesses and non-profit organizations whose goal is to connect Wyoming children and families with the outdoors.

In addition to the afore-mentioned WY Outside website, Facebook page, and Twitter account, the coalition will also be promoting the Challenge via their blog and YouTube channel. For more information about WY Outside or the 2015 Challenge please contact WY Outside Administrative Coordinator, Ashley Rooney, at 307-777-6560 or ashley.rooney@wyo.gov.

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