Outward Bound USA Marks First Reset Day with Record-Breaking Nationwide Participation as Communities Unplug and Reconnect
Largest One-Day Gathering of Off-Screen Hours as Over 280,000 Screen-Free Hours Pledged Across the Country
BOULDER, Colo., January 26, 2026–(BUSINESS WIRE)–On Saturday, January 24, 2026, the country came together for The Reset, a nationwide call for people to step away from screens and reconnect with the world beyond them. Outward Bound USA, the nation’s leader in outdoor education and youth development, announced today that the inaugural Reset Day generated remarkable engagement, becoming the largest coordinated gathering of off-screen hours ever recorded in a single day, with over 280,000 hours pledged, over 19,000 participants, and community events across the country.
The Reset was created in direct response to rising concerns about youth mental health, social disconnection and constant digital pressure. Outward Bound saw a clear need for a simple structure that gives young people and families a day to pause, get outside and remember what it feels like to be fully present. The organization saw an opportunity to extend that experience to communities everywhere in a way that felt welcoming, accessible and free of judgment.
“The Reset grew out of what we have seen in our programs for decades. When students spend time away from screens, even for a single day, you can see their shoulders drop, their attention settle, and their curiosity return,” said Ginger Naylor, CEO of Outward Bound USA. “We wanted to give that experience to families and schools everywhere in a way that felt inviting and easy to try.”
“It’s wonderful to see so many people making a conscious decision to step away from their screens and reconnect with the real world,” said Catherine Price, The Reset Host Committee member and bestselling author of How to Break Up With Your Phone, The Power of Fun, and The Amazing Generation, a new book for kids co-authored with Jonathan Haidt.
This year’s participation built on Outward Bound’s long track record of device-free learning. In 2026, Outward Bound generated nearly 1.6 million hours of device-free time through its experiential education programs. Those hours often marked the first sustained break students had taken from their phones. By concentrating that commitment into a single 24-hour period, The Reset marked the largest collective pause from screens ever organized in one day, transforming individual choices into a visible national moment.
Students, families, educators, youth-serving organizations and partner groups pledged device-free time in ways that fit their communities. Activities ranged from simple nature walks to coordinated unplugged gatherings and volunteer events. Highlights included:
Nationwide – In addition to in-person gatherings, localized challenges were hosted on MapMyFitness and TrailForks, encouraging participants to log outdoor movement and explore nearby trails as part of their device-free commitment.
San Diego, CA
An artist talk and guided tour with Tiffany Shlain and Ken Goldberg at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art. Participants spent the morning exploring the exhibit, engaging in conversation and reflecting on creativity without digital distractions.
Hike My Feelings led a morning hike at Sunset Cliffs. Participants walked the coastal route together and used the time to slow their pace, take in the views and reset without screens.
Seattle, WA – Washington Trails Association coordinated trail cleanup projects across the region, including sites on the Olympic Peninsula, in the Stillaguamish River, at Hoag Memorial Park, at Cougar Mountain, at Gold Creek Park and at Columbia Springs. Volunteers cleared debris, restored trail segments and spent the day working together outside.
San Francisco, CA – Chicks With Grit and the Bay Area Climbers Coalition organized an Adopt-a-Crag cleanup at Handley Rock Park. The event encouraged participants to reconnect with the land and one another by picking up litter, learning about climbing access and caring for a new community climbing area.
Pineville, KY – Pineville Independent Schools, in partnership with Partners for Rural Impact, organized a series of outdoor activities for students and teachers that extended beyond the school day. Programming encouraged students and families to spend intentional off-screen time together, both during the school day on Friday, January 23, and at home with their families on Saturday, January 24.
Cumberland Gap, TN – Guardians of the Gap and the Town of Cumberland Gap hosted a S’mores-N-More Community Walk Scavenger Hunt, bringing local students and families outdoors for an evening of exploration, movement and screen-free connection.
Marble Falls, TX –Friends of Balcones Canyonlands planned Family Fun Outside!, a free Reset Day gathering at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge designed to help families unplug and spend time outdoors together. Programming was set to include guided hikes, self-guided exploration with Nature Backpacks, wildlife observation and screen-free discovery for all ages.
“Seeing people commit this much time to being fully present was both inspiring and affirming,” said Naylor. “The Reset was designed as an invitation, not a restriction. People of all ages decided what a meaningful break looked like and made it their own. The collective impact shows just how ready families and communities are for a moment of pause in a world that rarely slows down.”
The Reset was guided by a Host Committee of advocates, educators and thought leaders who champion digital wellness and youth empowerment year-round. Their leadership helped drive awareness leading up to Reset Day, and they continue to amplify the message through their platforms, expertise and community reach. The Reset Host Committee includes:
Angela Duckworth, psychologist and author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Catherine Price, journalist and author of How to Break Up with Your Phone and co-author with Jonathan Haidt of The Amazing Generation
Chelsea Murphy (She Colors Nature), creator, nature advocate, Team Bronco Ambassador, and Bronco Wild Fund grant recipient
Madame Gandhi, electronic music producer, artist and activist
Robin Thurston, CEO and founder of Outside Interactive, Inc.
Sasha DiGiulian, decorated professional climber, founder of SEND bars and wellness advocate
Tiffany Shlain, multidisciplinary artist and author of 24/6: Giving up Screens One Day a Week to Get More Time, Creativity, and Connection
Dr. Whitney Raglin Bignall, clinical psychologist and associate director of the Ohio State University Suicide Prevention Program
Five partners also played a key role in extending the visibility of Reset Day and will continue supporting the initiative as it grows. Their collaboration helps bring the message to new audiences, expand access to offline experiences and build long-term infrastructure for digital wellness nationwide:
Bronco Wild FundTM, a Ford Motor Company program, is collaborating with The Reset on their joint mission of connecting people to the outdoors responsibly. Inspired by the epic return of the legendary Ford Bronco®, the Bronco Wild Fund mission begins with a deep respect for our public lands and sustaining the environment. Bronco Wild Fund and its collaborators help with grants, scholarships, contributions, and an extensive dealer network. A portion of the profits from every Bronco SUV sold goes directly to Bronco Wild Fund collaborator initiatives.
Marmot has spent over 50 years creating durable, high-performance outdoor gear that enables people to explore, challenge themselves, and build confidence outside. Guided by the belief that the outdoors is a powerful teacher, Marmot and The Reset are united in expanding access to meaningful outdoor experiences for all.
Outside serves as the National Media Partner, bringing the movement to its community of active lifestyle enthusiasts. As the premier destination for outdoor and endurance sports storytelling, Outside reaches more than 80 million people each month across its media, digital and technology platforms.
SMBC Global Foundation joins as a National Partner following their 2024 launch of SMBC Building Resilient Futures, a philanthropic initiative that aims to enrich the lives of youth through the power of the outdoors. Through this program, the SMBC Global Foundation cultivates opportunities for younger generations to access enriching outdoor-based experiences in order to strengthen well-being and counter the effects of diminished independence and excessive screen time. The initiative offers powerful, practical experiences that reconnect young people with themselves, others, and the natural world.
Camp Snap, a Supporting Partner, is a screen‑free digital camera designed to help users stay present. It delivers a nostalgic disposable‑camera experience with simple point‑and‑shoot controls, no photo preview, a built‑in flash, and easy USB‑C image downloads—perfect for kids and adults who want to capture memories without the distraction of a phone.
65 national and community-based organizations joined the Support Coalition and helped lead local activities. This broad coalition represented outdoor educators, mental health groups, youth-serving institutions, digital wellness advocates, and community leaders committed to reducing digital fatigue and strengthening connection. Supporters include:
52 Hike Challenge
Adventure Crew
The Anxious Generation
American Hiking Society
Appalachian Mountain Club
Bay Area Climbers Coalition
Better Screen Time
Bewilder
Beyond Limits Academic Program
Blue Sky Fund
Blue Star Families
Camp Fire
Camping with Cradle
The Center for Rising Generations at the Aspen Institute
Chicks with Grit
Children & Nature Network
Children’s Funding Network
Color My Outdoors
The Commons
Dayo
The Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital & Harvard Medical School
Experiential Consulting
FlyCurious Fishing
Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association)
Nature and Health Alliance
NatureBridge
Northwest Youth Corps
ODC Network
OutGrown
Outdoor Outreach
Outdoorist Oath
PEAR
Partners for Rural Impact
Playworks
Project LookUp
Project Reboot
Salted Roots
Screen Sanity
The Screenagers Project
Sierra Club
SOS Outreach
Tahoe Waterman Foundation
Talk More. Tech Less.
TapOut Rewards
Tilting Futures
Washington Trails Association
Waypoint Adventure
Wildwood Outdoor Education Center
The YMCA of the USA
Outward Bound USA is a national nonprofit education organization committed to adventurous, outdoor-based learning that builds confidence, curiosity, and the skills to thrive with purpose. Through a network of 9 regional schools and more than 500 community partnerships, Outward Bound serves over 50,000 students each year through programs ranging from immersive wilderness expeditions to local school-based experiences. The success of Reset Day reinforces Outward Bound’s long-held belief that meaningful growth happens when young people push beyond their comfort zones, connect with others, and engage fully with the world around them.
More information and highlights from Reset Day are available at www.the-reset.org. Details about Outward Bound USA and its programs can be found at www.outwardbound.org.
ABOUT THE RESET
The Reset is a national campaign created by Outward Bound to help young people, families, and educators pause, unplug, and reconnect with what matters most. Built from Outward Bound’s 80-year legacy of facilitating adventurous learning rooted in the outdoors, The Reset invites participants to take a break from their screens for a single day and rediscover clarity, confidence, and connection. Through free toolkits and community participation on January 24 and beyond, The Reset encourages people of all ages to reclaim their time, attention, and sense of purpose in a world that rarely slows down. To learn more, visit the-reset.org.
ABOUT OUTWARD BOUND
Outward Bound USA is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the transformative power of outdoor education. With a network of nine regional schools across the United States, Outward Bound inspires young people to develop resilience, leadership, and a profound connection to the natural world through challenging and meaningful experiences. To learn more, visit www.outwardbound.org.
