Man powder skiing, Alps, Zauchensee, Austria
In 2020, to help combat the isolation and immobility of staying at home during Covid-19, MTN DEW announced an “Outdoor Stimulus” program to reimburse outdoor enthusiasts’ hunting and fishing licenses or passes.
Winners of the contest, originally the first 5,000 applicants, received a one-time $20 payment to put toward those purchases for a $100,000 total stimulus.
The contest was so popular—with the initial $100,000 being exhausted in five hours—that MTN DEW announced an additional $100,000 to last through Sept. 11, 2020, with up to 100 applications being accepted per day.
Though things are moving in the right direction in the U.S. as we finish the first quarter of 2021, the majority of the country is still in social distancing mode and staying home as much as possible. To that end, MTN DEW has brought back the Outdoor Stimulus for 2021 with the “Get Out and Do” program.
This year, MTN DEW upped the ante to $1 million in prizes. Beginning March 21 and running for 12 weeks, winners can receive an instant $25 reimbursement when they upload a photo of their most recent outdoor pass or license for hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, hiking, boating, off-road recreation, skiing and snowboarding and more.
In its $1 million Outdoor Stimulus program, MTN DEW will reimburse $25 toward passes and licenses … [+]
Expenses incurred for outdoor activities such as National Parks entrance fees, wilderness permits and state park fees are also eligible to be reimbursed.
A full list of approved outdoor passes can be found here.
Those interested in entering the contest can find full rules and regulations for submitting a photo of a valid 2020-21 outdoor license or recreational pass here.
In lieu of a digital gift card, winners can choose to give their Outdoor Stimulus funds to a select group of charitable organizations that protect and support the great outdoors. Those organizations include River Network, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Pheasants Forever, Protect Our Winters and Team Rubicon.
“The outdoors plays an important role in people’s lives, whether you simply like to go for a leisurely stroll in the park or you’re an outdoor enthusiast taking it to the next level. The $1 Million Outdoor Stimulus Fund is the Dew way to encourage more people to get outdoors and pursue their passions,” says Nicole Portwood, vice president, Marketing, MTN DEW. “For some, the fund will remove some financial barriers that come with outdoor activities, while others can exercise the option to donate to one of five notable non-profit organizations that preserve and improve our outdoor playgrounds.”
Country singer and songwriter Chase Rice, an outdoor enthusiast, has partnered with MTN DEW to spread the news and encourage other adventurers to apply.
“The outdoors have always been where I find peace of mind—whether that’s snowboarding, fishing, or even just sitting on my front porch or around a fire pit. During the craziness of the past year, that time has become even more important to me,” Rice told me. “I’m excited to help MTN DEW spread the word about their efforts to make enjoying outdoor adventures financially accessible to as many people as possible.”
With the new $1 million pot, 40,000 people can win one of the $25 reimbursement gift cards, which will be sent via email in four to six weeks. Or, they can chose to donate their reimbursement to one of the outdoors organizations MTN DEW has tapped to receive the funds.
The last year has taught us that outdoor recreation and conservation alike are essential to so many people’s livelihoods and mental health. Make a plan to get outdoors and, who knows—maybe your pass fees will be covered.
