Our story-sharing platform has just three simple guidelines: the adventure must take place in the Midwest, it must engage nature in some way, and the storyteller must participate in it . What does that mean?

• Midwest: We’re using the federal government’s definition! If you’re adventure takes place in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, it’s fair game!
  
• Engage Nature: Adventure looks different for everyone! Some of us may find adventure by fording a stream or hiking through the Flint Hills; others may find it by painting a babbling brook, researching Lepidoptera, or writing a play about field mice. Whatever adventure means to you, we embrace it as long as it has some connection to the natural world.
  
• Participate in the Adventure: The story-teller must participate in the adventure. Solo adventure or group adventure with family and friends (two-legged or four-legged) are equally encouraged. We can’t wait to see where your adventure takes you!

Stories can be as simple as the story you might tell your friends while sitting around a campfire. They can be told through poetry, prose, an audio-recording, an essay, a blogpost, or a short story. They can be told visually, through photography, videography, watercolor, charcoal, oil, collage, sculpture, etc. By submitting your story, you agree to our terms and conditions.  Top story submissions are recognized and awarded at the annual live event 38N Adventure Fest.

Submitting Via Social Media

We want to make submissions as easy and as accessible as possible, and so this year we are introducing submissions by social media. All you have to do is hashtag #OutdoorsUnscripted in your Instagram caption to be submitted! Once you do, the winner will be chosen the Festival night based on the highest number of likes. Get out there, take a pic, and submit. We can’t wait to see what you come up with.