Utah's Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) Initiative
This legislative initiative supports parents, caregivers, and youngsters by promoting fun outdoor activities to connect with nature.
Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) Initiative was excited to partner with TETON Sports and the YMCA of Northern Utah for a gear giveaway in August 2021. TETON donated their brand-new Oasis Hydration Backpacks to 100 kids, aged 7-12, who are YMCA participants. Check it out!
The EKO initiative promotes a healthy, active lifestyle. It encourages youth to spend more time outdoors engaging in activities that will benefit their physical and emotional well-being.
EKO Gear Sponsor:
Every Kid Outdoors Resolution
- Expresses commitment to provide Utah’s children with lifelong opportunities to connect with nature and build upon that through their developing years
- Recognizes that children are increasingly distanced from outdoor activities, getting less physical exercise, and are at an increased risk for chronic physical ailments
- Recognizes that time spent in nature can lead to improved physical, mental, developmental, behavioral, and health benefits
- Acknowledges the value of providing opportunities for children to experience awe-inspiring moments while gazing upon the natural beauty of Utah’s outdoor places
- Recognizes that experiences in the outdoors provide unique opportunities to connect generations and improve quality family time
- Recognizes that time in the natural world encourages curiosity, provides hands-on field experience and experiential learning, which leads to improved understanding of the sciences
- Pays tribute to Utah’s heritage of outdoor pastimes, agriculture, and a powerful connection to the land
EKO Resources
Parents or Families
- EKO Utah Resource List By Region
- How You Can Incorporate Nature Education into Youth Programming for Healthy & Happy Kids (Resource Sheet)
- EKO explorer passport (English Passport)
- El pasaporte de actividad de EKO Explorer (Pasaporte Español)
- Engaging Children in Nature through Trails
- Intermountain Healthcare’s Find a Hike
- Less Screen, More Green: Outdoor Safety Tips for Kids
- How to Dress Your Kids for the Outdoors
- Gotta Go Utah – A Website about “Going” in Nature (yes, poop)
- Anyplace America.com
Youth-focused organizations
- If you’re a new organization and you’re feeling like, “I don’t know what I don’t know,” you can contact our office (outdoorteam@utah.gov). We are happy to connect you with other organizations in the state that provide outdoor youth programming and may serve as a mentor. Our EKO stakeholders have mentioned you may want to get in touch with the Utah Nonprofits Association depending on your goals.
- Are you planning an outdoor trip, short or long, with the youth you serve? Depending on where you go, you might need reservations or a permit. Check out:
- Passes and Permits | US Forest Service
- Permits and Fees | Bureau of Land Management
- Policies and Park Rules | Utah State Parks
- National Park Service Permits & Reservations:
- Arches National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- California National Historic Trail
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Golden Spike National Historic Park
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
- Natural Bridges National Monument
- Old Spanish National Historic Trail
- Pony Express National Historic Trail
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument
- Zion National Park
- EKO Utah Resource List By Region
- How You Can Incorporate Nature Education into Youth Programming for Healthy & Happy Kids (Resource Sheet)
- Gotta Go Utah – A Website about “Going” in Nature (yes, poop)
Educators
- How You Can Incorporate Nature Education into Youth Programming for Healthy & Happy Kids (Resource Sheet)
- Utah Society for Environmental Education
- Outdoor Classroom Design Guide
- Intermountain Healthcare’s Find a Hike
- Every Kid Outdoors Flyer
- EKO Utah Resource List By Region
- Gotta Go Utah – A Website about “Going” in Nature (yes, poop)
Decision-makers & supporters
- Children & Nature Network Infographic: Nature Can Improve Health & Wellbeing
- Children & Nature Network Resource Hub
- Rethink Outside
- Every Kid, Every Day, Every Way
- Engaging Children in Nature through Trails
- Every Kid Outdoors Flyer
- Every Kid Outdoors Utah Legislation (HCR4, 2019)
Additional resources
- HCR4 (2019) Concurrent Resolution Supporting Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative
- EKO Explorer Passport
- El pasaporte de actividad de EKO Explorer
- EKO flyer
- EKO Utah Resource List By Region
- Cottonwood Canyons Foundation
- Every Kid Outdoors – National Parks
- HOP Outdoors
- Kids in Parks
- Park Rx America and Park Rx Utah
- Red Butte Garden: Enjoy the Garden
- Search and Rescue Card
- Gotta Go Utah – A Website about “Going” in Nature (yes, poop)
Partners & Stakeholders
- Bike Utah
- Black Diamond
- Bureau of Land Management – Kids
- Bureau of Land Management – Utah
- Discover Utah Magazine
- Get Outside Utah
- Goal Zero
- Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors: HECHO
- National Ability Center: Adaptive sport, recreation & adventures in Utah
- Outdoor Afro
- Rural Health Association of Utah
- Salt Lake Climbers Alliance
- Sportsman’s Warehouse
- Summit Journeys
- TETON Sports
- USEE – Utah Society for Environmental Education
- Utah Division of Indian Affairs
- Utah statewide wildfire information information (utahfireinfo.gov)
- Visit Utah
- Wasatch Adaptive Sports
- Wasatch Mountain Institute
- YMCA of Northern Utah