The Great Outdoors {Contest Closed}

 

Our family has changed since we visited our local REI store. 

Dramatically.

My six and four year old learned to ride their bikes. 

On the same day. 

Within minutes of each other.

It was awesome.

Since we had picked up some great outdoor gear at REI, it was easy to now be able to slip on some sandals and go for a ride.

To throw on some lightweight nylon water repellent REI cargo shorts and prepare for some very eager boys to barrel through every water puddle they encounter.

To plan for camping trips in parks that host beautiful bike paths.

To be together as a family in a way our family had never really experienced before.

I want that for you too.

And so does REI.

They have graciously offered to provide you with another chance to win!  How about a $100 gift card?

So tell me, what outdoor activity do you pledge to do with your family this summer and how would a $100 REI gift card help you get there?  Take the REI Outdoor Pledge and submit your comment to be entered.

No duplicate comments. 
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: 
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post 
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post 
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post 
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. 
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older and runs from  9/7 – 9/27 .
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. 
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. 
The Official Rules are available here.
Head to http://www.blogher.com/rei-outdoor-pledge-sweepstakes   for more chances to win. 

 

Comments

[Bethany]

We just got back from a super fun camping trip. The kids loved hiking and running around outside all weekend. Of course, we're still finding dirt in between toes, but that is all part of the fun!

[Kristin Smith]

I love the hiking idea...we have a couple of kids too small for riding...but pushing in the stroller is always fun!! So great that your kiddos learned to ride!! Such freedom!!
Have a wonderful dat friend!!
Kristin

[Kristina]

We have always been canoers, but we're starting to give kayaking a spin... er... paddle.

[Rosanne Robertson]

We just got a tandem bike so that we can take our 3, 2 year olds and our 3 month old with us biking.

[Kristen]

We love riding our bikes but no long have a pull behind trailer for the 2 year old. We'd love to go on a long bike ride and $100 at REI would get us one step closer to that!

[Cheryl Newton]

What? Just surviving the summer, with me and my two boys coming out alive at the end of it, wasn't enough? Maybe if I'd have pledged to do more outdoor stuff, I wouldn't have been on the verge of crazy by the time school -- thankfully -- started.

[Britiney @ Consider the Lilies]

I'm going to bike my kids to school at least once a week as long as the weather permits!!

[Shari]

We're going to do a lot more walking and hopefully bike riding!

[Shari]

I tweeted about the giveaway:

http://twitter.com/#!/sharinlilbit/status/111583306407084032

[Diane]

Oh we are walkers and bike riders a gift card would be great!

[Angi]

REI is like my second home. Before I went to Africa to climb Kilimanjaro I was seriously there twice a week. The gift card would make my wallet a lot happier lol

[Angi]

I tweeted it too :) What a sweet giveaway! @angibobangi

[Shannon]

We really enjoy hiking, we have one nice Kelty carrier, but another for our other toddler would be great!

[Shannon]

http://twitter.com/#!/channynn/status/111793798849376257

tweet!

[hannah j]

So, we've always pledged to take our baby running with us, and we've done well with that. But another thing we wanted to do was take him camping, and turns out. . .he hates it! We went once and he was terrified of the tent. We're thinking maybe we can buy a bigger, family-sized tent that can fit a pack-n-play and hopefully that will make him feel more at home. So. . .$100 would go a long way towards that!

[Jennifer M]

My husband and I are very active and love spending time outdoors hiking and running. This gift card would allow us to buy more gear to further our healthy habits!

[Angie Mc.]

Camping, we would do a lot more camping as a family.

[Lauren]

While I was pregnant with #2 we got out of the habit of walking as a family, but since I've been back on my feet we've began taking our family walks several times a week when my husband gets home from work. My son just recently learned to ride his tricycle (which he calls his motorcycle) and likes to ride to the park, but would rather ride than go play on the slide most of the time! It's actually inspired my husband and I to get our bikes out and ride more as well! My 2 yo was right, it is a lot of fun!!

[Katie C]

We moved from NC to NM a year ago and I'm very excited to do more exploring around the state. I would use the gift card for a sleeping bag that can survive some colder weather in Colorado!

[Bethany]

This past summer, I pledged to do more bike riding (you get a breeze WHILE you're working out!) but my bike needed some work. $100 GC would help me get those repairs!

[Valerie]

Ooo! A weekend bike ride sounds like a perfect outdoor activity for our family!

[Erin]

I would love to take more family bike trips...this money would go towards new gear!

[Stacey Johnson]

I pledge to go run around at the park with my kids!

[Love2Create]

I would love to ride bikes with my family. My two children have their bikes that they are quickly growing out of and hubby has his bike, but mommy hasn't gotten hers yet. REI would be a great place to get all the goodies we would need to spend that fun riding time together!

[Kristina Mansoor]

Kayaking!! no other way about it. that is our summer.

[Liz]

I just got back from a camping trip over the long weekend, and I hope to go again before it gets too cold!

[Shannon Mills]

Yeah for another REI giftcard!

[Ashley R N]

Oooh I would LOVE this maybe we could finally get a hiking backpack for our 19month old and could go on family hikes!

[rachel]

my husband has been begging for a kayak!

[Crystal's Cozy Kitchen]

I'd love to get a bike trailer so I could take my son cycling with us!

[Amanda]

I pledge to continue riding bikes with my son every evening. The gift card would help me to buy a new bike since I sold my mine.

[Christine]

We need new helmets for everything! The kiddos are ready to learn how to ride bikes and need skull/brain protectors and their ski helmets from last winter are a wee bit too tight.

[Shelby]

Geocaching is a great activity for the whole family! It's my favorite outdoor activity for sure.

[Shelby]

http://twitter.com/#!/ShelbyJo85/status/111974432712572928

[Jessie C.]

I pledge to take kids to hiking. I'd love to get hiking shoes at REI.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com

[Jessie C.]

tweet.http://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/111996245278601217

[DebraG]

We would love to get a tent or a bike trailer so that we could take our three little ones with us for a bike ride!

[Beth]

I would love to start biking again and the 100 gift certificate would help me start that.

[Arc]

I would love to hike with my kids. I haven't ventured out hiking since my infant was born a couple months ago.

[Jill]

Christmas is coming!!!

[Wendy]

I want a bike so bad!

[Megan D]

Going swimming at the lake! Most favourite outdoor summer activity. As much as we love summer, we are eagerly awaiting the opening of ski season; this is the main purpose for most of our REI shopping trips.

[Ruth P.]

OMG REI is totally my fave!

[sherry]

hahaha! Haven't done much outdoor activitie other then running around the block with my overactive 17 month old! Will be taking her swimming in just a couple of weeks before the cold weather hits.

[Darien]

the hubby and i started taking little walks at night this summer. its just nice:)

[iamgogo]

I LIVE for weekend bike rides with my fiance, they are the only thing that keeps me sane!

[Dina]

Fall is an awesome time to go to stuff outdoors thanks to the cool weather. My husband and I hike and camp and all that good stuff.

[Dina]

Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/luau11/status/112233149131534336

[Mary Standard]

We would go hiking more and the REI gift card would help in getting equipment we still need to be comfortable. =0)

[Marie C.]

My husband and I actually went to REI tonight to look at the running shoes with toe slots built in. we both want a pair but they are expensive. so thats what we would do with the $100. :)

[Sia]

I love biking but haven't since my youngest arrived. She doesn't know how to bike yet so one of those pull trailer would be great. We will be able to go bike riding again.

[Sonya]

We love the outdoors and make use of the bike/running trail near our home on a regular basis. We've got camping on our list for summer but need a tent first :)

[denise]

We love the outdoors and try to get out there as much as possible. We are planning on doing some fall climbing this year and I could really use a new harness.

[Nicole A]

I would love to go hiking or canoeing with my little family.

[Manette Gutterman]

My husband and I are runners. My boys love riding bikes outdoors too.

[karen M]

More bike riding, card to use towards new tires

[emily]

going on a major hiking trip next year and need to gear up two dogs who are coming along. :)

[GB]

Very cool.

[Kerstin]

Good morning! My husband and son are going on 2 hiking trip w/in the next 2 months, and one includes canoing - lovely canoe! And we're testing out the canoe this afternoon (if no rain).

[Maija]

I've been an outdoor lover my whole life but am always needing (wanting) something new. Top of my list now is a new sleeping bag! Thanks for helping sponsor the giveaway- it's a pretty great one!!

[Michelle]

I plan on doing bike rides with my kids. We need to get a tag-a-log for the kids to ride behind us.

[Maria]

Biking is a great family activity!

[Marcie Montes]

I've been wanting to hike the mountains above Malibu or by the Hollywood sign!

[Kerry]

We love to go camping together and could use some updated camping equipment.

[Kerry]

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/113073410556444672

[Reesa]

The boys have bikes but I don't. I've been looking around for a bike in my price range, and once I find one we're going to start going on rides together. We've already set a goal for ourselves - the 9 year old wants to be able to bike to and from a local ice cream parlor, 10 miles each way. It'll take a while to work up to that kind of stamina, but I think it's a worthy goal to aim for.

[Wizards815]

We are going for a camping and biking trip in Eastern Kansas for a long weekend with a large group of friends. We cannot wait as it will be our first of the year.

[Jen Marie]

I need to buy a bike for myself. All the kids and hubby has bikes, but I am so tall that I have trouble finding a bike for my legs. I hate to spend the extra money on a larger bike. Hard to find good deals on 'specialty' bikes. I have found some larger ones at Target, but haven't justified the money yet.

[Christina]

I would love to go biking more often before the summer is over!

[Cortney]

I would love to get the kids some new hiking shoes or sandals for several hikes I want to go on before the snow hits.

[Leslie]

Our family loves to hike. We have gone on several this summer already. Another great outdoor activity we sometimes include in our hikes is letterboxing.

[Nicole S.]

Still some time for some bike rides. We could always use more bike gear!

[Jenette Marie]

I pledge to camp with my husband. It's our absolute FAVORITE summer activity!

[Anna M]

Get out and walk more.

[Mel]

We love to CAMP and would be able to upgrade our camping gear - yay!

[Mimi]

We love REI but it's tough to go in there because there are so many great things that would be nice when we camp!

[Amanda R.]

I would love to go for a family bike ride. My husband and I both have bikes, but our daughter does not. Having a bike trailer would allow her to come along and make it a family activity once the afternoon heat has gone away.

[Colleen P]

We'd love to go camping with our family and friends. I could really use the gift card to get some new gear, including some better outdoor cookware.

[Colleen P]

Tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/sunnymum/status/114146997212151808

[Susan Smith]

We love to go camping so the REI Giftcard would be great to buy new camping equipment

[Susan Smith]

http://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/114151764332253184

[Sheryl]

Camping is awesome, and relaxing. Hoping for a trip real soon!

[nanjhall]

Well summer is over, but I pledge to take a couple of fall camping trips while the weather is perfect. We could use this gift card to upgrade our tent.

[nanjhall]

Tweet: http://twitter.com/njhhb/statuses/114322462807834624

[Diane H]

Just getting outside in the brisk fall air will be great, but I hope to get a few yard projects done with some extra helping hands!

[Natalie J. Vandenberghe]

I took the pledge! My kids play school sports, so they get plenty of exercise. I love to walk and I just need to encourage my kids to join me. I also love to go white-water rafting, but that's more of a once-in-awhile activity, not something we can do daily.
Thanks for the giveaway.

[Natalie J. Vandenberghe]

Tweet! https://twitter.com/#!/lexiquin/status/114529106032476160

[mama mia]

Biking is one of the things I would love to do, because I can do it with my husband, who also wants to get outdoors. My son would enjoy it as well, and I can't think of a better way to exercise, have fun together as a family, and spend time together!

[Kytah00]

WE'VE ACTUALLY BEEN CAMPING THIS SUMMER. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE A REI CARD THEN, BUT HEY, WOULD LOVE ONE ANYWAY!

kytah00@yahoo.com

[Kytah00]

2ND ENTRY TWEET @ http://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/114763791274749952

kytah00@yahoo.com

[Debra F]

I pledge to attempt at least one of our peak here in the Adirondacks this fall with the family and a Rei gift card would be great to get a utilitarian back pack and some good quality water bottles for our adventure.

[Debra F]

tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/fairydancer35/status/115108797722267648

[Kellie B]

I pledge to ride my bike with my husband. I pledge to make more time to be outdoors and enjoy the sunshine.

[Leah]

While I don't have a family quite yet, I do have roommates! We would like to fully emerge ourselves in the biking community here in Minneapolis, and a gift card from REI would definitely help!

[Sara G]

We have been enjoying the outdoors and hiking through the neighborhood this summer. But I really would like to purchase a bike and a trailer that I can attach and have my kids ride along (since they are too small to bike yet). I would love fresh air, exercise and the stress relief! I pledge to purchase a bike and helmets and get my family outside!

[Sarah L]

Took the pledge for more hiking and that's what we did this summer. The REI GC will go toward some new hiking boots.
Thanks for the contest.

[Sarah L]

blogged: http://slehan.blogspot.com/2011/09/win-100-rei-gift-card-from-blogher-rei.html

[Tracy Jones]

I took the pledge, and as luck would have it, my two teenage boys forced me to go hiking last weekend. We did almost 8 miles, and my feet are still aching! A pair of hiking boots from REI are definitely in order =)

[chris]

After being without electricity for several days due to Hurricane Irene - we dragged out our old coleman lantern and remembered how much fun it was to go camping! Would love to win an REI gift card!

[Kristen]

http://psthisisthelife.blogspot.com/2011/09/perfect-use-for-blog.html