For the young non-profit organization Hike it Baby, the largest yearly fundraiser is their bi-annual Hike it Baby 30 Challenge, which encourages families to spend more time outside. The personal goal for participants of the Challenge - spend 30 minutes outside at least three times a week, or hike at least 30 miles in 30 days. While this remains the central goal, many families set their own to make the Challenge work for them, such as no days with zero time outside or total minutes spent outside during the month. The first of the two 2020 Challenges kicks off April 1, 2020, and registration for the Challenge opens March 16, 2020.
The Challenge began in 2014 when Hike it Baby’s founder Shanti Hodges and a friend created a personal goal to hike the 30-mile long Wildwood Trail outside of Portland, Oregon in 30 days. They decided to turn their challenge into a fundraiser for Hike it Baby.
Since 2014, the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge has encouraged hundreds of families to spend more time outdoors. Participants make a donation to the organization to join the Challenge. Participants receive access to a private Challenge Facebook group, resources and tools to make the Challenge a success, and a completion sticker. Additionally, all participants are eligible to win premium daily prizes and giveaways from Challenge sponsors such as L.L.Bean, Merrell, Sunday Afternoons, Joules, Joovy and more! All funds raised during the Challenge directly support Hike it Baby’s mission of connecting families with young children to nature and each other.
During this time when many communities are facing social limitations associated with the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus), the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge can be done individually or with just your family. Outdoor time can be spent anywhere you feel comfortable, from your backyard to a park or hiking trail. Additionally, the Challenge Facebook group, where participants are sharing their adventures, photos, and motivating each other through comments and discussions, gives you community and connection in a virtual setting.
“The Hike it Baby 30 Challenge is a great way for anyone to encourage more outdoor time in their lives. From young, single people to grandparents, we want everyone to make going outside a priority - whether it be taking a hike to hanging out in the backyard or going on a walk down the street,” comments Hike it Baby Executive Director, Jessica Carrillo Alatorre.
The Hike it Baby 30 Challenge isn’t about the miles. It's about connecting with nature and finding encouragement and motivation from those around you with the same goal. As we move into spring weather across most of the Northern Hemisphere, April is the perfect time to encourage more time outdoors. Join Hike it Baby in the Challenge and help support our mission of connecting families with young children to the outdoors and each other.
Read more about the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge: How We Get More Families on Trail with the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge
Hike it Baby 30 Challenge Inspiring Stories
Why Join the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge
Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.
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