Take the Yampatika Get Outside Challenge This July
Looking for a fun, free way to get your family outside this summer? The Yampatika Get Outside Challenge turns outdoor adventure into a month-long, community-wide game — and it’s happening all July long, from July 1 to July 31, 2026, right here in the Yampa Valley.
Created by Steamboat Springs’ own Yampatika, the challenge invites kids, families, and community members of all ages and abilities to spend more time outdoors, build curiosity about nature, and give back to the places we love. It’s a simple, flexible way to swap screen time for trail time and make lasting summer memories together!
☀️ How the Get Outside Challenge Works
Throughout July, you’ll earn points by logging outdoor activities in four categories:
- Move — Walk, run, hike, or roll. Earn 1 point for every 10 minutes of foot-powered movement in nature.
- Observe — Slow down and notice the world around you. Identify a new plant, bird, or critter (apps like Seek, iNaturalist, and Merlin Bird ID help) and earn a point for each unique species.
- Explore — Make, find, or collect something outside — go fishing, start a nature journal, or build a mud pie. Just remember to Leave No Trace!
- Protect — Be an environmental steward. Pick up trash, pull weeds, or join a restoration project, and earn 2 points for every 10 minutes.
Every entry needs a photo, logged in the free Challenge Hound app. You can play solo with the Individual Challenge, or team up for the Family Challenge, where everyone’s points add up to one total.
✅ How to Join
Getting started is easy and free:
- Head to the Yampatika Get Outside Challenge page
- Sign in or create a free Challenge Hound account.
- Tap “Join Challenge,” choose Individual or Family, and confirm.
- Start logging your outdoor adventures all month long.
A nice bonus: the first 30 registrants score a free foam sit pad from Big Agnes.
🏆 Prizes Worth Getting Outside For
This is where it gets exciting. Every participant earns public recognition, and the rewards build from there:
- Reach 100 points and you’ll earn a Yampatika hat.
- Category winners take home prizes from sponsors like Altra, Big Agnes, and Town Hall.
- The Individual Challenge grand prize winner scores an Ikon Pass, while the Family Challenge winner receives an annual membership to Old Town Hot Springs.
Prizes will be handed out at the wrap-up celebration on July 31 from 4–6 PM at the Big Agnes parking lot (840 Yampa Street) — all participants are welcome to join the party.
🔎 A Summer of Curiosity, Confidence, and Connection
More than a competition, the Get Outside Challenge is about building healthy habits, sparking curiosity, and strengthening kids’ connection to nature and community through hands-on experiences. Whether your family hikes a new trail, spots a great blue heron along the river, or spends an afternoon cleaning up a local park, every adventure counts.
It pairs perfectly with everything else on tap this summer, too — browse our Events Calendar for more family fun, or check out our Summer Camps Guide if you’re still filling in the calendar.
Ready to play? Sign up for the Yampatika Get Outside Challenge and start exploring the Yampa Valley this July!
