Welcome To
Be Outside, Idaho
Inspiring kids and their families to spend time outdoors and bring more activity into their lives.
Climbing rocks, playing tag, riding a bike, collecting sticks and leaves—many adults remember the joy of exploring outside as children. These simple outdoor adventures, whether just outside the back door or in wilder spaces, support strong mental and physical health.
Unfortunately, many children today are missing out. Kids ages 8–10 now spend an average of 30 hours each week using entertainment screens, including about 4 hours of television, according to the Blue Cross of Idaho Health Foundation.
Spending time in the outside and in nature can:
• Reduce stress
• Support emotional and social development
• Improve school performance
• Boost creativity, problem-solving, self-esteem, and self-control
• Strengthen cognitive abilities
• Improve overall health
Who we are
Be Outside, Idaho is a coalition of more than 100 diverse organizations working together to address “nature deficit disorder” and connect Idaho’s youth with the outdoors. Our partners include public land and wildlife managers, healthcare providers, educators, parks and recreation departments, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, and many others. Together, we provide resources and opportunities that encourage outdoor activity and time in nature. Be Outside Idaho provides resources and opportunities to Idahoans that promote youth activity and outdoor time.
Our partners launched Unplug and Be Outside Week in 2011 as a statewide initiative. Today, the City of Meridian continues to carry the tradition forward with events that encourage families to explore local outdoor opportunities, be mindful of screen time, and enjoy parks, trails, and nature programs in their community.
CONTACT US at idrecreationtourism@gmail.com
The 2026-2027 Grant Cycle is now OPEN!
Application deadline is October 30, 2026.
Click here for application.
Example of Funded Projects (2022-2025)
The Be Outside, Idaho grant program is designed to fund projects that are aimed towards getting children in nature. The grant is funded by the Idaho Recreation and Tourism Initiative (IRTI), which is a coalition of state, federal, nonprofit, and private entities.
Over $32,000 Awarded!
What you can do
On the pages of this site you will find information, activities and links to many guides, how-to activities, places to go and things to do in Idaho. We encourage you to review some of the reading and viewing materials—Be Outside, Idaho created a serious of videos viewable on You Tube on connecting kids to the outdoors and many activities you can do in your town or nearby.
Be Outside Idaho Video Library
Did You
Know?
Did you know?
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Children spend as much as 7.5 hours in front of electronic media in a typical day. (Kaiser Family Foundation)
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Sixty minutes of daily unstructured free play is essential to children’s physical and mental health. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2008)
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The lack of outdoor play time has taken its toll on children’s health. Chronic health conditions such as obesity, asthma, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder plague children throughout the nation, including at home in Idaho. Currently, 27.5% of children in Idaho are overweight or at-risk for overweight while 62.9% of adults in Idaho are either overweight or obese. (Kaiser Family Foundation www.statehealthfacts.org)
