‘My Life Outdoors’ contest asks teens to share outdoor adventures

Idaho Public Television announced a partnership with LifeOutdoors, an environmental education, research, and advocacy nonprofit, along with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and Idaho Press, to introduce an opportunity for Idaho teens. 

The "My Life Outdoors: Teen Multimedia Contest" invites young explorers to share their outdoor adventures through written essays and video submissions. This initiative aims to celebrate the profound connection between Idaho's youth and the environment while encouraging others to embark on their own outdoor journeys, according to a press release.

Running from Feb. 8 to March 27, the contest encourages participants to reflect on the theme "My Life Outdoors." Whether recounting the triumph of conquering a challenging hike, the excitement of reeling in a big catch while fishing, navigating the exhilarating whitewater rapids of a river or simply embracing the serene beauty of a mountain sunset, all encounters with nature are welcomed and celebrated, the release said. 

Dick Jordan, executive director and founder of LifeOutdoors, is passionate about the importance of connecting kids with nature. 

"Having worked with teenagers for almost 45 years, I've come to realize that teens crave content that is rich in relationships and adventures. I've seen young people blossom when they are empowered and challenged, so that's why I've tried to create those kinds of opportunities," Jordan said in the release.

The contest is an interdisciplinary fusion of STREAM, where STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) partners with language arts to create compelling narratives about our environment and its significance to our well-being. Research has conclusively shown that spending time outdoors is crucial for our mental health. 

Young individuals who immerse themselves in nature, whether in their living spaces, workplaces or recreational areas, inherently grasp these benefits, and now they have the platform to share this understanding with the world, the release said.

 "I want to give them a mic, a voice, a stage to tell the world that nature nurtures," Jordan said. "They are better able to deal with the stresses of our complex society after those experiences."

The competition offers prizes for recipients of the first-place video submission, first-place written submission and the ultimate grand prize. 

Among the rewards for the grand prize winner is a $500 student scholarship, generously provided by LifeOutdoors and distributed via iDeal, Idaho's college savings program. Additionally, the grand prize winner and their family will embark on an unforgettable adventure courtesy of Sawtooth Adventure Company, which includes a daylong rafting trip on the Salmon River for a family of four. 

Info: www.idahoptv.org/shows/outdooridaho/lifeoutdoors