SALT LAKE CITY — Utah families laced up skates Friday as the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation officially launched the 2026 yearlong Adventure Challenge, part of the state’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative.
The free Winter Adventure celebration at the Utah Olympic Oval marked the start of a new year of programming aimed at helping youth spend more time outdoors. The event was held in partnership with the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation and other community groups.
“Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative is about making outdoor recreation feel welcoming, achievable, and fun for every family,” said Caroline Weiler, the Division of Outdoor Recreation’s youth engagement program manager. “Through the Adventure Challenge, we’re helping kids build confidence, curiosity and a lifelong connection to the outdoors by one simple adventure at a time.”
Families attending the kickoff event received free skate rentals, tried curling, shot hockey pucks and met former Olympic speed skater Jerica Tandiman, a Kearns native. Participants also registered for the Adventure Challenge and picked up passports to track their outdoor experiences throughout the year.
The statewide initiative encourages youth ages 3 to 18 to complete 15 age-appropriate outdoor adventures at their own pace, anywhere in Utah. The program was established through a 2019 legislative resolution signed by the governor and Utah Legislature and is now led by the Division of Outdoor Recreation, part of the Utah Department of Natural Resources.
According to national research cited by organizers, children ages 8 to 18 spend an average of 7.5 hours per day on screens and only minutes playing outside. Studies show outdoor recreation can reduce stress, improve focus, support emotional health and promote physical activity.
In addition to the winter kickoff, the division will host three more official Adventure Challenge events in 2026 — including one this summer in Logan Canyon in northern Utah.
The Summer 2026 Logan Canyon Adventure is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning on the campus of Utah State University in Logan.
Families will check in on the USU Quad, enjoy Aggie Ice Cream and visit with outdoor partners before either shuttling or driving to nearby activity sites in Logan Canyon.
Planned activities include fly fishing, rock climbing and mountain biking, with options designed for all ages. The agenda includes check-in from 10 to 11 a.m., travel to activity locations from 11 to 11:30 a.m., and outdoor programming from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Organizers say the event will provide Cache Valley and Northern Utah families with a hands-on opportunity to explore one of the region’s most popular outdoor destinations while participating in the statewide challenge.
Families, educators and community partners can join the Adventure Challenge at any time during the year. Information about upcoming events is available at recreation.utah.gov/utah-every-kid-outdoors/ and on Instagram at @UtahEveryKidOutdoors.
The Division of Outdoor Recreation was created by the Utah Legislature in 2022 to oversee recreation management programs, including the state’s boating and off-highway vehicle programs, and to promote access, safety, stewardship and economic growth through outdoor recreation.