N.C. Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission

06/10/2026

Childhood wasn't meant to be spent staring at a screen. 🌿
It's muddy shoes. Creek explorations. Climbing trees. Catching bugs. Building forts. Using imagination instead of Wi-Fi.

The best memories aren't downloaded—they're discovered.
This summer, challenge your kids to trade a little screen time for green time. You might be surprised by what happens when they step outside.
💚 More adventure.
💚 More confidence.
💚 More childhood.
What's your child's favorite outdoor activity? Let us know in the comments!

06/09/2026

🥾 Trailblazer Tuesday | A.C. Reynolds High School Hikes the DuPont Waterfall Trail!

🌊 Back in November, students from the AC Reynolds High School Trailblazers Club hiked seven miles through DuPont State Recreational Forest to reach the park’s breathtaking waterfalls! We're incredibly proud of the work they put into this hike, and ca't wait to see what they do next!

🗺️ Located just 40 miles south of Asheville, DuPont State Recreational Forest offers opportunities for hiking, biking, hunting and fishing, equestrian activities, and access to some of North Carolina’s most breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls!

🎬 Moreover, you’ve probably already seen this park on the silver screen — DuPont has appeared in such movies as The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans!

🌄 If you’re looking for a long-distance Western NC hike for you and your kids, check it out today!

06/08/2026

🕊️ POV: You joined us at Hawkins Loop for the 4th Annual Bird Fest!

We had an amazing time meeting everyone who attended Bird Fest this weekend, and we can’t wait to come back next year! Now you can experience what it was like to march down the birding trails for yourself — just scroll through these slides, turn up the volume, and you’ll hear everything we captured on-site!

06/04/2026

Head into the woods with a simple nature checklist and let kids explore like little adventurers.

Bonus idea: bring magnifying glasses or let them build a tiny fairy house with found natural items.

Why kids love it:
Feels like a real-life treasure hunt
Encourages curiosity and creativity
Gets them moving without feeling “structured”

Today’s outdoor idea: turn a walk in the woods into a treasure hunt

🌿 Kids don’t need fancy activities to make memories — sometimes all it takes is a trail, a bucket, and a little imagination.

06/03/2026

🦆 It’s official — NC YOEC is headed to the Fourth Annual Bird Fest at Hawkins Loop on June 6th!!!

It’s peak breeding and brooding season in one of NC’s most diverse bird-watching areas, and we’re headed up to Hawkins Loop to join in on the fun!

We’ll be on-site passing out 2026 Youth bird watching patches to kids and teens who participate in the event, and we can’t wait to join this Saturday’s attendees on birding walks, art workshops, and at the food trucks! Meet us by our table to learn more about our programs and how you can help support our mission!

This is a great opportunity to get your kids into nature and to meet up with fellow birding enthusiasts and wildlife experts - can’t wait to see you there!

When: Saturday, June 6, 2026 | 5:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: The Land at Hawkins Loop - 294 Hawkins Loop, Hurdle Mills, NC

Register online today at Hawkinsloop.com!

06/03/2026

06/01/2026

North Carolina is heating up! Visit these 4 NC State Parks to cool down and take advantage of the swimming, fishing, kayaking, and exploration opportunities they offer!

1️⃣ Eno River State Park (Durham & Orange County)
2️⃣ Hanging Rock State Park (Stokes County)
3️⃣ South Mountains State Park (Burke County)
4️⃣ Falls Lake State Park (Wake County)

Make the most of the summer — visit these and other state parks to experience everything NC has to offer!

And before you leave, be sure to photograph your kayaking, fishing, camping or hiking experience; send those pics to us, and we’ll send you back a free patch through our online patch program. Visit GoOutside.nc.gov to learn more!

05/29/2026

North Carolina has some of the best overnight summer camps in the country 🌲⛺ From mountain adventures to coastal sailing camps, these experiences help kids build confidence, independence, friendships, and a real connection to the outdoors.

Because the best kind of summer usually includes bug spray, campfire smoke, and zero WiFi. ☀️

Save this post for easy summer planning!

05/27/2026

And bugs mean:
🌿 your kids are outside
🌞 they’re exploring
🪵 they’re getting curious instead of scrolling

Yes there might be a dramatic reaction to a bee.
Yes you will hear “EW” at least 47 times.
But learning to exist alongside bugs?
That’s building confidence and resilience. That’s childhood!

Let them dig, flip rocks, chase butterflies, and ask a million questions.
The goal isn’t to avoid nature…it’s to get comfortable in it.

05/26/2026

Trailblazer Tuesday: Saltwater Fishing with Cary Academy!

Back in 2025, Cary Academy’s Trailblazer Club collaborated with Doghouse Sportfishing (Doghouse Sportfishing on the Outer Banks of NC) to give students the opportunity to fish for Yellowfin Tuna in NC’s Outer Banks!

“I enjoyed catching and cooking yellowfin tuna,” one student said. “When we were fishing, we got fifteen tunas totaling four hundred pounds. The next day, I got to cook tuna steaks for everyone. The tuna was some of the best fish I have ever had.”

Reminder: Any NC youth under 18 can submit a photo of their saltwater or freshwater catch in return for a free saltwater angler patch! Submit your photo online at gooutside.nc.gov, and we’ll mail you your patch free of charge!