With new passports, community partnerships and educator resources, EKO is helping more Utah kids build healthy, active connections to the outdoors.
In 2025, the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation re-launched Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) Initiative to help more Utah families connect with nature.
The EKO story began in 2019 with a legislative resolution signed by the Governor and the Utah State Legislature. H.C.R. 4 outlined a key concept behind the initiative: “It is critical for the well-being and development of Utah's children that we promote a healthy, active childhood filled with outdoor experiences for Utah's children.”
Since its launch, EKO has helped connect families across the state with opportunities to spend meaningful time outdoors. In 2025, hundreds of families participated in the Adventure Challenge program, which featured 14 outdoor challenges designed to encourage exploration, learning and fun. The Division of Outdoor Recreation also hosted free monthly events attended by thousands of families.
Utah’s response to EKO has been overwhelmingly positive. Families, partners and stakeholders provided valuable feedback that helped shape and improve the initiative for 2026 and the years ahead.
Three Programs
EKO consists of three key programs: Family, Community Partners and Educators. In 2026, the initiative introduced updates and improvements to all three pillars.
Family: New for 2026 is the Adventure Challenge Passport, a personal adventure tracker designed to help families record their progress and memories throughout the year.
Originally, Adventure Challenge badges were included on a sticker sheet. After hearing that many families weren’t sure where to place the badges once they completed a challenge, the Adventure Challenge Passport was created.
-
- Here’s how it works:
- Here’s how it works:
-
- Complete a challenge and add the corresponding badge sticker to the passport.
- Track progress by recording dates, locations, and special memories in the Passport.
- Track achievements with a progress survey, complete all 14 Adventure Challenges, and be entered to win experience-based prizes.
There is no wrong way to Adventure Challenge. Whether your family is hiking a first trail, learning to camp, or discovering local wildlife, Utah’s EKO provides structured pathways for outdoor exploration that are safe, educational and, most importantly, fun!
Families can also find age-appropriate adventure ideas for preschoolers and youth on the EKO website.
Adventure ideas for preschoolers.
Community Partners: As EKO gains momentum across the state, community partners are stepping up in a big way to help families get outside.
The redesigned Community Partner system includes three paths to partnership:
- Distribution Centers: Locations where families can pick up Adventure Challenge Passports. Families can find the nearest passport pick-up location on the EKO website.
- Find the nearest Passport pick-up location on the EKO website.
- Community Hubs: Organizations that host free or low-cost Adventure Challenge-themed events.
- Sponsors: Partners who provide experience-based prizes for Adventure Challenge participants and help cover the cost of printing Adventure Challenge Passports.
Organizations interested in becoming a Community Partner can read the Community Partner Playbook for more information.
Thanks to EKO Community Hubs, families can find dozens of free events throughout the state. Visit the Community Calendar for upcoming opportunities.
Educators: EKO educators help increase student engagement and improve student outcomes through experiential outdoor education. The program is based on research showing that “green time” can support physical health, mental and emotional well-being, cognitive growth, academic performance and social skills.
Benefits of being an EKO educator include:
- Access to a robust Curriculum Hub featuring STEM and experience-based learning lesson plans by grade and subject, as well as teacher resources.
- Adventure Challenge-themed place-based lesson plans designed to encourage learning and time outdoors.
- Funding opportunities through the Division of Outdoor Recreation’s Youth Engagement Grants.
Educators interested in becoming part of Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative can contact EKO education specialist Karen Bell at [email protected] for more information.
Looking Ahead
As Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative continues to grow, the goal remains the same: to help make outdoor recreation more accessible, regardless of background or experience level, so all Utah youth can benefit from a healthy, active childhood filled with outdoor experiences.