9/5/23 update: Success!!! Both goals have been reached and we’ll be giving $1,500 each to our three beneficiaries to support their good work. Thanks to all of you who lent a hand by participating in this year’s Challenge and by sharing news of the SNAC with others. YOU make this great event work!

GIVE BACK WHEN YOU GET OUTSIDE!
You’re invited to join the Summer 2023 Second Nature Adventure Challenge to help raise money for food pantries in the Maine West region.

THE COMMUNITY CHALLENGE
Because we know people sometimes need a little extra incentive to make time to get out and enjoy local trails and outdoor activities, the Maine West initiative is challenging people across the Oxford Hills, Bethel/Mahoosuc region, and the River Valley to earn cash rewards for local organizations helping to feed our neighbors. We are challenging people get out for a total of 1,200 outdoor adventures between July 4 and Labor Day (September 4) to help our local food security programs to keep their shelves and freezers stocked.

THE COMMUNITY REWARD
Once we meet the goals, Maine West will contribute $4,500 ($1,500 each) to help three local programs pay for food and household items during a time when rising inflation has made it difficult for food pantries to stay stocked up. Beneficiaries of the Summer 2023 Second Nature Adventure Challenge include:

• Greater Bethel: Bethel Area Food Pantry
• Oxford Hills: Community Lunch/Food Distribution at the Norway UU Church
• River Valley: Old School Food Pantry

If you participated in the Challenge in the past year, you’ll know we’ve made a bunch of improvements, which include:

• You can participate by getting outside and active ANYWHERE in Maine school districts 10, 56, 44 or 17 (the Maine West area). It doesn’t have to be on a trail anymore–although we still encourage you to check out the many excellent trails in our area. Our friends at Maine Trail Finder provide a great way to find the right trail in the right place for you.
• We’re counting all sorts of outdoor activities, including the usual stuff like walking, hiking, paddling, biking and rolling. We’re also including things like disc golfing, geocaching, and swimming (in the amazing natural swimming spots we have–not in pools). We just want people to get out in nature and moving!
• Participating in the Challenge is wicked easy–as simple as filling out a quick form to let us know when you’ve gotten outside, which takes about a minute. (Seriously! Just a minute!) The form will be active for the dates of the Challenge, but you can sneak a look at it below.

Wondering where to get out? Looking for an event where you can hit the trails with others? We’ll be sharing information regularly about trails, events and more through our Facebook and Instagram accounts. Follow us to stay in the loop!