The Hike it Baby 30 Challenge is the solution for those of us wondering what to do with our families in the wake of the COVID-19. The response to the virus has closed schools and public spaces, sent us to work from home and canceled events. We are being told to practice social distancing, but often social activities are how we keep our families entertained and feeling sane.
Enter the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge! The Hike it Baby 30 Challenge encourages families to get outside more often, challenging each other to hike 30 miles in 30 days or spend time outside 30 minutes a day, three times a week. 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. Since the Hike it Baby Challenge is a personal challenge, it’s super easy to participate as an individual or with your immediate family. Here are a few ways you can take on the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge on your own.
Even with social distancing and quarantine, there is nothing that says going outside is harmful. In fact, getting outside during the COVID-19 or other outbreaks could help you stay healthier. You don’t have to be doing epic adventures to make your outdoor time count. So head out your door and play, read a book outside, make a craft, or do a backyard scavenger hunt. Check out these resources for making the most of your outdoor time:
Outdoor activities for preschoolers
Outdoor activities for toddlers
Outdoor activities for infants
If you feel comfortable, take a solo hike or hike just with your immediate family. To participate in the Challenge you don’t have to be a current member of Hike it Baby or associated with a Hike it Baby branch. Outdoor spaces, like hiking trails, allow you to distance yourself the recommended 6-10 feet from non-family members. Pick less traveled trails and enjoy one-on-one time with your family.
There is no hard and fast rule that you have to hike 30 miles in 30 days or spend 30 minutes outside 3 times a week. Many Hike it Baby community members have adapted the Challenge to make it their own. Goals may include a specific number of minutes outside for the month, your own mileage goal, a separate goal for each member of your family, or simply just getting outside every day.
Every Challenge participant is invited to join the Challenge Facebook group, which links participants from all over the globe. Sharing photos, sharing ideas, and discussing the Challenge with other participants gives you community and connection virtually.
The Challenge is open to current Hike it Baby 30 members, but you can sign-up for the free 30-day membership trial and join the Challenge! Get your friends and extended family involved. Exchange Challenge adventures with each other on your own social media pages - try going live on Facebook or Instagram from your backyard or the trail. Talk about how you and your immediate family are using the outdoors to manage COVID-19. The Challenge is an engaging way to bring your loved ones together via technology when you can’t be together in person.
Getting outside, even if it's alone in your yard, is a great way to deal with the anxiety and stress, let your kids get out the pent up energy, and let the fresh air reset and restore each of you. Get outside by joining 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. Photos courtesy of Deanna Curry and Amy Diebold.
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