AORE Takes On 2019 Campus Challenge


Hiking. Kayaking. Backpacking. Bicycling. Even bird-watching. These are just a few of the activities students and faculty members will be participating in from September 16th through October 13th as they compete to win the AORE Campus Challenge.
 
We are excited to announce that the 2019 Campus Challenge will be hosted by the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE). Founded at the International Conference on Outdoor Recreation in 1993, AORE began as a grass-roots organization and has flourished in the last 25 years to become a vibrant and diverse professional community of over 700 members. Through AORE, members have a mechanism to network with other professionals in the field, engage in programming designed to advance individuals at every level of their career, and enjoy the benefits of active advocacy and lobbying efforts. As part of its core values, AORE is committed to promoting ecologically sound stewardship of the natural environment and serves as a collective voice for its members regarding topics of regional and national concern.
 
In addition to the National Outdoor Champion award, there are more than 30 other individual and regional awards up for grabs. The top winners will receive prizes from sponsors. Each sponsor will also host a weekly challenge, giving students even more opportunities to score free gear.

AORE inherited the resources and initiatives of Outdoor Nation in 2018. The Outdoor Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and growing future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. Through groundbreaking research, action-oriented outreach and education programs, the Foundation works with partners to mobilize a major cultural shift that leads all Americans to the great outdoors. In 2010, the Foundation launched Outdoor Nation, a pioneering initiative that aims to empower young leaders to champion the outdoors on campuses and in communities across the United States. Outdoor Nation headed the Campus Challenge for 4 successful years. In 2018, a change in leadership at the Outdoor Foundation required a change in programming under Outdoor Nation. Deputy Director, Ivan Levin, decided to hand the Challenge to AORE due to the similarity in missions, values, and goals held by AORE and the Outdoor Nation. This is AORE's first program.

2017 was the largest Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge yet. AORE believes in continuing and building this movement on campuses across the country. This new inheritance excited this association to move forward in hoping to follow in the footsteps of what the Outdoor Nation has accomplished and strives for similar excellency in 2019. With 25 years of experience and 1.5 million 18-24 year olds engaged in the outdoors annually, AORE will amplify the Campus Challenge through its established membership and offer an entirely new outreach for outdoor stewardship.

To learn more about the AORE Campus Challenge, visit aorecampuschallenge.org and aore.org.