CHENANGO COUNTY – The Explore Chenango Outdoor Challenge began on May 1 and goes until September 4. The challenge requires a participant to acquire an Explore Chenango Outdoor Challenge brochure either online or at a local town/county office, then hike, bike, or paddle at least seven of the 14 trails selected for this year's challenge.

After filling out the brochure, turn it into the Chenango County Health Department and enter to win one of the grand prizes. Anyone who turns in a brochure gets a free bumper sticker representing the activity. The challenge is brought to the public by both the Chenango County Health Department and the Chenango County Planning Department.

“The main idea is to explore more areas of nature here within Chenango County. And it is a way to discover some of the natural beauty in the community, to boost physical activity, and really to improve mental health by moving more,” said Chris Arnold, Senior Public Health Educator at the health department.

On the challenge brochure you'll find the instructions, list of trails, a map, and a brief list of the health benefits of physical activity. Under each trail on the list they've added information on it's difficulty to complete and distance to hike, bike, or paddle.

To find more information on the trails before going out the organizers recommended checking alltrails.com and cnyhiking.com/ChenangoCounty.htm where there are pictures, reviews, and general park/trail info. Links can be found on the brochure. The planning department chose the 14 trails and constructed the map on the brochure.

“What we try and do is make it more about allowing people from all across the county to pick somewhere that maybe they haven't gone before,” said Shane Butler Director of Planning, “We also choose ones that like any abilities can do.”

If you're out at one of the locations and post a picture on social media, consider using one of these hashtags: #paddlethenango, #bikethenango, #hikethenango.

With your permission, your picture might just make it to one of the County's official Facebook pages to promote the challenge. You can also send your pictures to the health department directly on Facebook.

Not everyone who hikes, bikes, or paddles, fills out a brochure and enters in the challenge officially but the whole point is really to get people outside and active all around the county.

According to Arnold, they gave out over 2000 brochures last year and only received 26 back.

“But we know they're doing it, because we see it on Facebook, and they send us pictures and messages. So we know that it's at least increasing the amount of activity people are doing, even though they might not turn it in,” said Arnold.

Butler says this initiative is about more than just the challenge, its related to a big part of the 2050 Vision Plan for the county, that being, health and community well-being. “So this obviously is you know health, it's community well-being, it's just trying to make the community a better place to live, work, play,” said Butler.

He also said he hopes it encourages more organizations or people to create public trails and more locations to continue to grow the County's recreational assets.

“Physical activity is a great way to improve your mental health, focus, concentration, or some health conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. And it can decrease your risk for stroke, and injuries due to falls,” said Arnold.

If hiking, biking or paddling, it's important to follow general safety principals and personal considerations. Arnold recommends assessing the difficulty and distance of each trail to align your trip with your physical capabilities. Butler recommends that on hot days bring water with you as to not overheat, use bug spray, and reminds everyone that there are Tick Kits available at the county offices.

“Just go out there and have fun,” said Butler, “Be safe, have fun, take a trip somewhere. Just you know get out of your house for a little bit and get some fresh air.”

These activities can be done throughout the summer on your own, or with a group made up of family, coworkers, or friends. Both Arnold, and Butler describe the challenge as a family friendly activity. It's open to where each individual/group wants to go and do. They suggest that if there is a stop on the challenge in an area of the county you don't frequent, make day of it and visit places you've never gone before.

“It's fun and easy, and it's great because you can win prizes,” said Arnold.

After completing seven of the stops turn in your brochures and be eligible to win the grand prize, a Coleman Snap N Go 35qt Collapsible Hard Cooler, or second prize, a large Disaster Preparedness Backpack donated by the Emergency Preparedness Program at the health department. The free stickers have phrases on them that say “I hike/bike/paddle Chenango” each with a unique color and design reflective of the activity.

Find more information and the challenge brochure at https://www.chenangocountyny.gov/604/Explore-Chenango-Outdoor-Challenge .