Humboldt State University is now competing in a nation wide challenge known as the Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge. There will actually be close to 90 different campuses competing but how many of them can beat HSU's location? We are near the beaches, forests filled with Redwoods, can paddle board in the bay and have plenty of opportunities to go outside.

It's not just students who can compete either: HSU is looking for community members and even parents to get involved.

It's super easy to participate in too. Simply download the Outdoor Nation app and choose Humboldt State University. Then, as you find yourself going on walks, gardening or bicycling simply snap a photo and upload. Be sure to include the hashtag #humboldtoutdoors to be entered to win prizes! The prizes come from national sponsors ranging from REI and the North Face.

This weekend I submitted my first photo when I went to Patrick's Point to check out the view from Wedding Rock. It was easy to use the app and fun to check out what adventures everyone else is up too. All I had to do was take a photo, mark what kind of outdoor activity I was doing and fill out a few more details like duration of activity. It took no more than a minute and I had gained a few points!

If you live in Humboldt, you live in nature.

If enough students and community members participate, HSU can totally win! If HSU does win, the prize is a gear bank from North Face worth $3,000. Imagine what our school can do with the money and how it will benefit students!