Utah's Every Kid Outdoors

What is Every Kid Outdoors?

The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation is excited to introduce the Outdoor Adventure Challenge in 2025, a program designed to engage school-age youth (ages 5-18) in fun, seasonal outdoor activities. While the challenges are primarily aimed at youth in grades 4-6, the program is open to all school-age children and their families. Each month, participants will be invited to take on new challenges that promote outdoor recreation, nature exploration, and skill-building, all while fostering a lifelong love for the outdoors.

To earn the reward for completing the challenge, participants should choose at least one of the activities listed below. Be sure to have someone take a photo of you while doing the activity to show you've completed it, then fill out this survey to receive your sticker. With so many options, you're sure to find something fun to try!

Every Kid Outdoors Adventure Challenge

July Challenge Highlight:

Trail Challenge

Click on a badge to learn more

Every Kid Outdoors Challenge

Steps to complete the EKO Adventure Challenge:

We’re excited for you to start your outdoor adventure with the Every Kid Outdoors Adventure Challenge! Here’s how to get started:

1: Sign Up

Every participant will need to have a legal guardian’s email address corresponding with their challenge registration. If you are a parent signing up for multiple participants, you can use the same email; just indicate how many participants you are signing up for, their grade levels, and gender identities.

2: Grab your Stickers

You can pick up a free sticker pack from one of our participating pick-up locations. Dozens of libraries across the state have chosen to host materials for the EKO Adventure Challenge. Visit the interactive map below to find the nearest library to you!

If you are unable to pick up the materials due to travel constraints, email the EKO Team at eko@utah.gov!

3: Begin Adventuring

Once you’re ready to embark on your Outdoor Adventure Challenge, click on the challenge badge above for a list of ideas for each challenge. The EKO Team has come up with some fun ways to earn your Adventure Stickers but feel free to be creative in how you earn your sticker, this is your adventure after all!

The EKO Team will be hosting FREE ADVENTURES for youth participating in the EKO Adventure Challenge each month throughout the state. Some adventures include ice-skating at Millcreek Common in January, stargazing in Kane County in April, and harvesting veggies with Wasatch Community Gardens in September. Sign up through our website, we hope you’ll join us!

4: Track Your Progress

The Adventure Challenge is self-paced with 15 challenges, which could be completed monthly or more quickly or slowly throughout the year. Go at the right pace for you!

Every 3 months, we’ll email you a survey to update the EKO Team on your progress, share success stories, and pictures of your adventures! To be entered to win giveaways at the end of the year, you will need to have completed all 15 Adventure Challenges and have updated your progress quarterly via the EKO Survey! So get started today!

If you have any questions about the challenge, please reach out to the EKO team at EKO@utah.gov.

Extra ways to get involved:

Tag us in your EKO Adventure Challenges at @UtahDOR, use hashtags: #UTAHEKO #EKOAdventureChallenge.

If you’re interested in volunteering at any of our events or have an event you’d like us to promote, email EKO@utah.gov

Adaptive Access: We partner with organizations that provide resources for people with disabilities, and the Adventure Challenge Eventbrite pages prompt participants to sign up for specialized equipment. Children with disabilities can participate in Choose Your Own Adventures that require adaptive equipment with the help of Utah-based organizations like the National Ability Center, Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports, Wasatch Adaptive Sports, and TRAILS Adaptive. These organizations offer scholarships to ensure that cost is never a barrier to recreation.

What are the EKO monthly events?

EKO monthly events are free and highlight a specific challenge (cross-country skiing in February, water safety in August etc…). They are hosted in locations throughout the state, all thanks to our amazing partners! Check our website for more information, including updates on monthly events hosted by the EKO Team and events our partners are hosting!

Do I need to attend the EKO monthly events to earn my sticker?

No, you are welcome to join any and all of the EKO events - which is a great way to earn a sticker. You can also earn a sticker by Choosing Your Own Adventure Challenge and completing one (or more) of the activities found on our website or using those ideas to develop an adventure challenge activity of your own.

Where do I get my water bottle and stickers?

Use the EKO Team’s interactive map to see where you can pick your water bottle and stickers! You can also pick up a water bottle and sticker at any of the Adventure Challenge Events.

How do I get entered to win prizes at the end of the year?

You’ll need to sign up for the Adventure Challenge, complete all 15 challenges, and update your progress via quarterly emails from the EKO Team!

I’ve completed an activity not listed on the monthly “Choose Your Own Adventure” sheets. Can I do something different and still earn a sticker?

Of course! We encourage you to get creative and find new ways to spend time outside.

Can I complete the challenge at any point during the 2025 calendar year?

Yes, this is a self-paced challenge, and you can begin and complete it any time in 2025.

How many nature journaling activities must I complete to earn my sticker?

One for each season! Explore all the prompts the EKO Team has created to get you started.

Are the monthly events free to participate in?

Yes, all EKO events are free to participate in.

EKO Mailing List

Want to stay updated with all things EKO?

Signup for our Every Kid Outdoors mailing list to get updates on the latest events, ways to participate, and more!

Adventure Challenge Events

View our Community Calendar

Participating Locations

EKO Sponsors:

For Sponsors

The Every Kid Outdoor Adventure Challenge wouldn’t be possible without our partners! We hold events at no cost to our participants thanks to the Division of Outdoor Recreation and our public and private partners. If you are interested in hosting an event, donating SWAG or prizes, promoting the EKO Adventure Challenge through your networks, volunteering at an event, hosting a booth at one of our events, or just want to know more, email us at EKO@utah.gov.

Working with Educators

EKO is working with educators to ensure all Utah children have access to nature-based recreation and education. The pilot program year is 2025. EKO will work closely with 4th-grade teachers and their classes in one or two Title 1 schools to provide resources and opportunities for place-based education. Partner organizations support this initiative by providing venues, funding, and tools.

In 2026, EKO will incorporate what we learned working with the pilot schools to expand collaboration with educators to ensure all Utah children have opportunities to recreate outside. If you are an educator interested in partnering with EKO, please email Caroline Weiler at cweiler@utah.gov or Ashley Brown at abrown2@utah.gov.