Explore the Outdoors with the Texas Nature Challenge

Register Online Now. Opening Ceremonies Saturday, August 12

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Families are invited to participate in the Coastal Bend region’s 2017 Texas Nature Challenge. It is a family-based competition where teams will complete a variety of activities at area nature centers, museums, parks and other outdoor spaces.

“All families who complete at least two challenges, compile their experiences into a scrapbook, journal or blog and submit it are eligible to win prizes. These activities will be a fun way for families to connect, play and explore nature together,” said the challenge’s Regional Coordinator Sara Jose with the Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve & Learning Center.

In a world where our lives are seemingly overrun by technology, this fun challenge allows participants to step outside their busy lives and enjoy all the beautiful things nature has to offer.

The fresh air and exploration will help everyone to relax and unwind. “From learning to fish to geocaching, from nature journaling to a photo hunt, Texas Nature Challenge Coastal Bend has everything you need to immerse your family in the outdoors. You’ll have a blast visiting new places and discovering your family’s wild side,” Jose said.

Opening Ceremonies for the Coastal Bend region’s Texas Nature Challenge will be hosted at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History on Saturday, August 12, 2017 from 10am–12pm. Admission to the ceremonies is free, but normal admission fees to the museum will apply if you’d like to go inside. Opening Ceremonies also presents a chance for families to learn more about other affiliated sites such as Lake Corpus Christi State Park, the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History.

The challenge will run through Monday, October 30, 2017. Submissions will be collected at the Corpus Christi, Port Aransas and Rockport Visitors Centers. The Closing Ceremonies will take place on Saturday, November 4, 2017, from 10am–12pm at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas. Families will enjoy games, crafts, and activities offered by participating organizations, receive prizes and have their scrapbooks or journals returned to them.

Other participating sites in the challenge include the Nature Preserves at Port Aransas, Goose Island State Park, the John E. Conner Museum in Kingsville, Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve, Fulton Mansion, Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas Maritime Museum and the Corpus Christi HawkWatch.

REGISTRATION: Families may register for the challenge at http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/websites/NatureChallenge/register.aspx or at the Opening Ceremonies on August 12, 2017 from 10am–12pm at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History.

For more information, visit http://naturechallenge.tamu.edu, email saraj@cctexas.com or call (361) 826-3432.