Heartland Community Foundation
The Heartland Community Foundation is kicking off a summer adventure like no other! Introducing the Heartland No Bummer Summer — a creative challenge dreamed up by members of the Trego County Youth Action Council to help kids and teens get out, explore, and have fun this summer — without spending a fortune or staying glued to their phones.
From June 1 through July 31, teens and kids of all ages, living in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties are invited to complete fun, quirky and community-centered challenges — all designed to make the most of summer. From ice cream taste tests and sidewalk chalk art to choreographed dance videos and backyard obstacle courses, these activities are anything but boring. Maybe you can even get a local elected official to join in on a TikTok dance!
Participants simply complete a challenge, snap a photo, and text it with their name and hometown to 785-639-2003. Each completed challenge earns one entry into the end-of-summer prize drawings, with winners announced in August! Participants can complete as many challenges as they like — more entries mean more chances to win.
Two challenge lists are available:
Core Challenges: 21 fun and free ideas you can do anywhere
Bonus Challenges: 23 location-based activities that showcase projects supported by past Heartland grant dollars -- from murals and splash pads to trails and campsites and more. Summer in our Heartland communities is made sweeter, thanks in part to Heartland grant dollars! Get out and explore the Heartland-area communities.
Special thanks to Nex-Tech Wireless, proud sponsor of the 2025 Heartland No Bummer Summer for prizes and for facilitating the dedicated phone number for this challenge! Flyers with full challenge lists are available on the Heartland Community Foundation’s Facebook page, online at www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org, or stop by a local HCF office.
“This is such a fun way to celebrate all the great things our communities already have,” said Sarah Meitner, Executive Director of Heartland Community Foundation. “We’re proud to support local youth leadership and community engagement in such a creative way.”
Let’s make it a No Bummer Summer in the Heartland — and don’t forget take photos along the way and text them to 785-639-2003 for a chance to WIN!
Heartland No Bummer Summer Challenge Rules:
Open to children and teens who live in Ellis, Rooks, or Trego counties.
The Heartland No Bummer Summer Challenge runs from June 1 to July 31, 2025.
Complete a challenge, snap a photo, and text it with your NAME and HOMETOWN to 785-639-2003.
Each completed challenge = 1 entry in the end-of-summer prize drawing.
You can complete as many challenges, in any order, as you want — more challenges = more chances to win!
Entries are counted per child, not per family/group. Each participant submits their own photos to earn entries.
By submitting a photo, you give permission for it to be shared on our social media or in promotional materials.
Winners will be announced in August and contacted by text.
Keep it safe, respectful, and fun — be creative!