Utah is doubling down on getting youngsters outdoors in 2026.
The Utah Division of Out of doors Recreation formally launched its yearlong 2026 Journey Problem on Friday, internet hosting a free Winter Journey celebration on the Utah Olympic Oval in Salt Lake Metropolis. The kickoff occasion is a part of the state’s broader Each Child Open air Initiative, geared toward encouraging Utah youth to spend extra time outdoors and fewer time on screens.
The occasion was held in partnership with the Utah Olympic Legacy Basis and different neighborhood teams.
“Utah’s Each Child Open air Initiative is about making outside recreation really feel welcoming, achievable, and enjoyable for each household,” stated Caroline Weiler, the Division of Out of doors Recreation’s youth engagement program supervisor. “Via the Journey Problem, we’re serving to youngsters construct confidence, curiosity and a lifelong connection to the outside by one easy journey at a time.”
Winter Kickoff on the Utah Olympic Oval
Households who attended the Winter Journey kickoff acquired free skate leases, tried curling, shot hockey pucks and met former Olympic pace skater Jerica Tandiman, a Kearns native. Individuals additionally registered for the 2026 Journey Problem and picked up “passports” to trace their outside actions all year long.
The Journey Problem encourages youth ages 3 to 18 to finish 15 age-appropriate outside adventures at their very own tempo, anyplace in Utah. The initiative was established by way of a 2019 legislative decision signed by the governor and Utah Legislature. It’s now led by the Division of Out of doors Recreation, which operates below the Utah Division of Pure Sources.
In accordance with nationwide analysis cited by organizers, youngsters ages 8 to 18 spend a median of seven.5 hours per day on screens, whereas spending solely minutes enjoying outdoors. Research present that outside recreation can scale back stress, enhance focus, assist emotional well being and promote bodily exercise — all advantages the Journey Problem is designed to bolster.
2026 Journey Problem Occasions Deliberate
Listed here are the official 2026 Journey Problem occasions introduced up to now:
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Winter 2026 — Winter Journey Kickoff Occasion
Fri, Feb. 20 3:00–6:00 PM at Utah Olympic Oval — Free household outside winter actions and program kickoff.
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Spring 2026 — Sand Hole Campout
Fri, Apr. 24 5:00–10:00 PM at Sand Hole State Park — A household campout with night actions across the campfire.
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Summer season 2026 — Logan Canyon Journey
Sat, Aug. 1 10:00 AM–3:00 PM beginning at Utah State College, Logan — Contains fly fishing, mountaineering, mountain biking and different actions for all ages.
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Fall 2026 — Dinosaurland Journey
Fri, Oct. 9 1:00–9:30 PM at Utah Area Home Museum — A fall-themed outside journey occasion celebrating Utah’s prehistoric landscapes.
Extra Group and Problem Occasions
Past the most important seasonal Journey Problem gatherings, households can take part in community-based alternatives to discover nature and earn badge progress:
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Nature Stroll Meetup — Eccles Wildlife Schooling Middle: Feb. 25 — Free
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March Second Saturday Cleanup: Mar. 14 — All-day, Free
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April #LoveYourWatershed Cleanup: Apr. 11 10:00 AM–12:00 PM — Free
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Could #LoveYourWatershed Cleanup: Could 9 10:00 AM–12:00 PM — Free
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June #LoveYourWatershed Cleanup: Jun. 13 10:00 AM–12:00 PM — Free
How Households Can Get Concerned
Households, educators and neighborhood companions can be part of the Journey Problem at any time throughout the 12 months. Extra details about upcoming occasions is obtainable at recreation.utah.gov/utah-every-kid-outdoors/ and on Instagram at @UtahEveryKidOutdoors.
The Division of Out of doors Recreation was created by the Utah Legislature in 2022 to supervise recreation administration applications, together with the state’s boating and off-highway automobile applications, whereas selling entry, security, stewardship and financial progress by way of outside recreation.
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