Over the next four weeks, University of Lynchburg students, faculty, staff, and alumni will compete with their peers at nearly 100 other colleges and universities to see who can enjoy the outdoors the most — and earn great prizes in the process.

Lynchburg has joined the Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge, a competition among 92 colleges and universities. The contest aims to help people enjoy an active lifestyle outdoors. The College will earn points based on the number of outdoor activities logged by participants — even if those participants are alumni or friends across the country. Those who attend official University of Lynchburg outdoor events will be entered into drawings for great outdoor gear.

The Outdoor Leadership Program has planned about 30 outdoor events — including rock climbing, caving, campouts on the Dell, and a “hammock city” — to help campus community members get their outdoor time and earn points in the competition. An alternative fall break trip is planned, too, for students who would like to spend a few days camping (and earning extra points for the competition).

“University of Lynchburg is surrounded by countless opportunities for outdoor adventures, both on campus and throughout the region,” said Peter Berry, director of the Outdoor Leadership Program. “The Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge will give our community members the chance to discover, or rediscover, many of these opportunities with friends.”

Here’s how to participate:

Download the Outdoor Nation app for iOS or Android and register, choosing University of Lynchburg as your school.
Log all your outdoor activities by taking a picture and entering it in the app. (What counts as an outdoor activity? Click here.)
Want to participate in groups? Check out the list of events at the end of this page and choose some that sound fun to you. (How many can you attend in a week?)
Don’t have a phone that runs apps? Attend the on-campus events anyway for a chance to win a prize.

Attendees at the events will be entered into drawings for outdoor gear.

University of Lynchburg Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge Events

Monday, September 18

1 – 5 p.m. – Rock climbing at the University of Lynchburg rock wall next to Moon Field. All experience levels welcome!

Tuesday, September 19

1 – 5 p.m. – Tree Tuesdays! Climb trees on the Dell, near Friendship Circle, with arborist climbing equipment. All experience levels welcome!

Wednesday, September 20

6:15 a.m. – Meet at Friendship Circle for a 3 – 5 mile run.
1 – 5 p.m. – Rock climbing at the University of Lynchburg rock wall, next to Moon Field. All experience levels welcome!
10 p.m. – overnight – Camp out overnight on the Dell. Check out a sleeping bag, tent, or bring your own gear. S’mores and Hot Chocolate provided!

Thursday, September 21

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Caving with the Virginia Area Region of the National Speleological Society at Mountain Institute, Pendleton County, West Virginia. Come caving underground in West Virginia at this Fall’s biggest caving convention!
8 – 11 p.m. – Come do the high ropes course and zipline in the dark with flashlights, glow-sticks, and S’mores! Shuttle provided from campus to course.

Friday, September 22

6:15 a.m. – Meet at Friendship Circle for a 3 – 5 mile run.
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Caving at Mountain Institute. (See September 21 entry)
6 p.m. – overnight – Camping at the Claytor Nature Study Center and enjoy the trails in the morning.

Saturday September 23

6:15 a.m. – Meet at Friendship Circle for a 3 – 5 mile run.
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Caving at Mountain Institute. (See September 21 entry)

Sunday, September 24

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Caving at Mountain Institute. (See September 21 entry)
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Canoe trip on the James river.

Monday, September 25

1 – 5 p.m. – Rock climbing at the University of Lynchburg rock wall next to Moon Field. All experience levels welcome!

Tuesday, September 26

1 – 5 p.m. – Tree Tuesdays! Climb trees on the Dell, near Friendship Circle, with arborist climbing equipment. All experience levels welcome!

Wednesday, September 27

6:15 a.m. – Meet at Friendship Circle for a 3 – 5 mile run.
1 – 5 p.m. – Rock climbing at the University of Lynchburg rock wall, next to Moon Field. All experience levels welcome!
10 p.m. – overnight – Camp out overnight on the Dell. Check out a sleeping bag, tent, or bring your own gear. S’mores and Hot Chocolate provided!

Friday, September 29

6:15 a.m. – Meet at Friendship Circle for a 3 – 5 mile run.
1 – 4 p.m. – Come build a giant village of hammocks playing volleyball and frisbee as well as lounging together in the hammocks!

Saturday, September 30

6:15 a.m. – Meet at Friendship Circle for a 3 – 5 mile run.

Sunday, October 1

7 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Caving at Sinnitt Thorn with the Outdoor Leadership Program and James River Grotto.

Monday, October 2

1 – 5 p.m. – Rock climbing at the University of Lynchburg rock wall next to Moon Field. All experience levels welcome!

Tuesday, October 3

1 – 5 p.m. – Tree Tuesdays! Climb trees on the Dell, near Friendship Circle, with arborist climbing equipment. All experience levels welcome!

Wednesday, October 4

6:15 a.m. – Meet at Friendship Circle for a 3 – 5 mile run.
1 – 5 p.m. – Rock climbing at the University of Lynchburg rock wall, next to Moon Field. All experience levels welcome!

Saturday, October 7

6:15 a.m. – Meet at Friendship Circle for a 3 – 5 mile run.
6 p.m. – overnight – Camp out at the Claytor Nature Study Center and watch the Dracnoid Meteor Shower.

Monday, October 9

1 – 5 p.m. – Rock climbing at the University of Lynchburg rock wall next to Moon Field. All experience levels welcome!

Tuesday, October 10

1 – 5 p.m. – Tree Tuesdays! Climb trees on the Dell, near Friendship Circle, with arborist climbing equipment. All experience levels welcome!

Wednesday, October 11

6:15 a.m. – Meet at Friendship Circle for a 3 – 5 mile run.
1 – 5 p.m. – Rock climbing at the University of Lynchburg rock wall, next to Moon Field. All experience levels welcome!

Thursday, October 12 – Sunday, October 15

Fall break trip at New River Gorge, West Virginia, featuring rafting and climbing activities.

What counts as an outdoor activity?

The Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge FAQ provides the following guidelines:

The activity must take at least 30 minutes.
The activity should be nature-based.
You must intentionally engage in the outdoors.
Traditional team sports are not eligible.
The activity must take place between September 18 and October 15, 2017.
Eligible activities include: Adventure racing (like Tough Mudder), biking/mountain biking, camping, climbing indoor/outdoor, caving, equestrian, fishing/hunting, hiking/backpacking, paddle sports (kayak, SUP, canoe), outdoor service projects, running/jogging/trail running, snowsports, outdoor water activities, hammocking, outdoor clinics & training, skateboarding/longboarding, slacklining, walking, outdoor yoga, bird/wildlife watching, gardening, stargazing.