Meet 100 Days In Nature, a new local challenge by Riverhead Parks & Recreation

You may have heard of 1000 Hours Outside, a global platform and challenge initially designed for those who were looking to reconnect with their families and childhood. This movement, created by Ginny Yurich, has become quite the sensation with over 600K followers on Instagram and an engaged audience committed to spending more time outdoors with their families through all seasons and weather.

Recently, the Town of Riverhead Parks and Recreation came up with their own idea to get kids and families outdoors this season (and year-round!). 

“The goal is to get more people outside despite the weather or the time of day as it can have natural healing power to our overall health and well-being,” 100 Days In Nature program developer and Town of Riverhead Parks Director, Ashley Schandel told us. 

The benefits

Although this local challenge was inspired by 1,000 Hours Outside Ashley told us that they wanted to tone it down a bit to make the challenge more practical for first-time challengers with hopes that the goal would be achievable and people didn’t become discouraged.

“In addition to this challenge, it was inspired by the book ‘There's no such thing as bad weather’ by Linda Akerson McGurk. Raising two young children of my own, I've tried to follow some guidelines this book has taught me. We typically jump to excuses when it comes to going outside, whether it be raining, too cold, windy, etc. I'm sure most parents and non-parents would agree that they have not gone on a run, or a walk, or have canceled some sort of plans because of the weather, when in fact it was just an excuse to not go. The book teaches that dressing appropriately ensures that we are comfortable outside in any weather,” she shared.

If you think about the amount of time you spend outdoors, especially during winter, it's probably minimal. For many, it’s limited to getting from points A to B instead of intentional time spent outdoors. This challenge hopes to change that bringing benefits to both our physical and emotional well-being. 

“Most of us can agree that we spend less than an hour a day outside, probably less than 30 minutes. Time is mostly spent rushing around from place to place in our cars,” Ashley said. “From experience, I've found that stress levels have declined and my overall mental and physical health have been much better when I require myself to be outside at least 30 minutes to an hour a day. The best part is spending time with my children, seeing their creative minds at work and not cooped up inside.”

The rules

The basic rules are that participants will receive credit for a day if at least one hour is spent outside, then, participants can color in a parcel of the chart.

All time in nature counts! Visit your local North Fork beach to hunt for sea glass, head to your favorite park or playground, play a sport outdoors, go for a hike, bring a blanket and books outside and read, etc. 

“I would not include sitting on your cell phone or tablet outside. We are on the honor system here,” she added. “When outside with my kids, I like to send them on a scavenger hunt, ‘Find something brown, find something that starts with the letter b, etc.’ Children are so creative and in no time you will find yourself making mud pies, collecting leaves, and flowers, and in a better mood.”

The winter challenge began at the start of January and will run through Tuesday, April 30. Prizes will be awarded to each child/family who completes their challenge chart which can be dropped off or mailed to the Recreation Department’s soon-to-be new address of 4 West 2nd Street, Riverhead, NY 11901.

Most importantly, Ashley told us, “This isn't a forced activity, it's something people will enjoy.” 

The Town of Riverhead Parks and Recreation plans to offer this challenge seasonally and is looking for a chart to use for the spring/summer months. Both residents and non-residents are invited to submit their chart drawings for a chance to be chosen as the next 100 Days In Nature chart. It must be created digitally or by hand and contain 100 parcels to color in. If you’d like to submit your chart, it is due no later than Feb. 2 and should be sent to Ashley at schandel@townofriverheadny.gov or dropped off/mailed to 55 Columbus Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901.