Skip the Black Friday sales this year and #OptOutside instead
If the idea of spending Black Friday in crowded stores with frenzied holiday shoppers looking for too-good-to-be-true deals doesn't sound appealing to you, consider joining the #OptOutside movement instead.
The idea behind the #OptOutside movement is simple. On Black Friday, hit the great outdoors rather than the overcrowded stores. Your time outside need not be structured or organized. Just make time to get outside. You don't even have to eschew Black Friday shopping altogether to #OptOutside; you can make time for both.
The #OptOutside movement started many years ago, and outdoor retailer REI helped it gain momentum in 2015 by starting a campaign to get people to head outdoors rather than to stores on the day after Thanksgiving, USA Today reports. In support of the initiative, REI stores are closed both on Thanksgiving and on the day after.
The National Park Service has also joined the #OptOutside movement, encouraging people to head to a nearby park or outdoor space to enjoy the fresh air and be inspired by all the great outdoors has to offer.
You surely know by now that making a commitment to spend time outside on a regular basis is good for both your mental and physical health, and the #OptOutside initiative can be another motivation to help you make time for it. How much time outside is enough to reap the health benefits? Two hours per week, according to a study published in Scientific Reports.
If you're looking for a place to #OptOutside, consider a visit to a nearby forest preserve. If you already have some favorite spots, maybe visit a preserve you haven't checked out before. Our preserves include more than 130 miles of trails to explore if you want to walk, jog or even bike off your holiday feast.
Want a way to make your time in the preserve more interactive? Join our Take It Outside challenge, which sends participants on a wild goose chase across the county, answering trivia questions, taking photos and checking in at various locations throughout the preserves. The Fall Frolic challenge started in September, but it's not too late to start. There are dozens of missions that can be completed, and there are plenty of prizes to win too.
All you need to participate in the Take It Outside challenge is a smartphone. Simply download the Goosechase app, set up an account and search for the Take It Outside challenge by name or by using the code ED7MGP. Once you've joined the challenge you'll be all ready to head out on an outdoor adventure of your own choosing, accumulating points as you go.
If you're participating in our annual Woods Walk challenge, Black Friday is a great time to hit one of the participating trails to check it off your list because the annual hiking challenge ends Saturday, Nov. 30. You can also make your trip to the preserves more low key. If the weather cooperates, pack a lunch to enjoy or simply find a bench in a quiet spot and relax while listening to the sounds of nature all around you.
Of course, you can #OptOutside any day of the year, but Black Friday seems like as good a time as any to start. If you want to keep opting outside long after Black Friday passes, check out our event calendar to find out about upcoming educational and recreational program offerings that will help you enjoy the great outdoors all year long.