100 Mo Miles program drives community to the outdoors

By age 17, Ebonee Woods already was involved in campaign work; she saw that as her life's work.

As she earned her degree, Woods said she gained the perspective on the importance of educating the public.

The 100 Missouri Miles program, of which she's been community engagement coordinator for two years, is a great combination of her interest in government and public education.

"We encourage people to go out and do things in state parks," she said.

The website-based program allows participants of all ages to be involved at their own pace and interests.

"It's not us saying, 'We think you should do this,'" Woods said. "It's not us talking at you but asking you to take up a challenge in your own way with friends and family."

Woods said one of the main messages is "don't be intimidated." Some frequent doubts are from people who are not outdoorsy, have never been to a state park, are not fit or hate bugs.

"We've got something for you," she assured.

Jefferson City is situated perfectly, geographically speaking, to provide vast and varied options for outdoor activities throughout the state.

Through this job, Woods said, she personally has tried outdoors and physical activities she likely wouldn't have otherwise.

"Before this job, I liked the outdoors, but like walking to get my mail," Woods said. "I'm dipping my toe in waters I've never been before.

"I tell others, 'Let it be that for you.'"

The web-based program works on the honor system. Participants log their miles as they earn them, whether in a state park or not.

A misconception has been all Mo Miles must be paddled, hiked or ran inside the state parks, Woods said.

For example, state workers who walk the Capital City's downtown loop may log those miles. Or if it's a rainy day, indoor walking can be counted.

"We encourage and sincerely hope the majority of the miles are logged in state parks," Woods said. "We're saying be active on a day-to-day basis and hopefully on the weekends find a new place or event."

Three sets of badges are available as motivation - milestones mark significant miles accumulated, events recognize participation across the state, and specialties look at activity during special timeframes.

Those who earn the badges can share their online "trophy room" with friends, family and coworkers. Or they can establish groups or buddy systems to track each other's progress.

Feedback is one of they keys to the program's growth and success.

Many people have said without the Mo Miles program, they wouldn't have tried different activities.

"It gives you that chance to do something, even if it never occurred to you to do it before," she said.

Geocaching is one of the ways to log miles. Many people were interested in trying it but didn't know how to get started.

That's one example of how feedback has helped grow the program, Woods said. Because of that interest, they developed a blog series, starting with how to do geocaching.

"It's a platform to help educate people on how to do new things," she said.

What Woods enjoys most is when the program helps build community.

A main component is the ability to challenge others, as well as oneself.

"The idea of wellness and activity throughout a community is a great concept," Woods said.

She graduated from Lincoln University, a second-generation alumna, in May 2013 with a degree in political science, though she grew up in Iowa.

"This is a feather in Missouri's cap; it's so unique and well structured," Woods said.

Other states have reviewed the program to replicate it for their residents, she said.

In its fourth year, the Mo Miles program runs with 10 employees from three state agencies - Health and Senior Services, Natural Resources and Office of Administration.

"There's never going to be an end to Mo Miles growing," Woods said. "Because it is technology-based, there will always be ways Mo Miles can touch lives in bigger and better ways."

For more information, visit 100missourimiles.com.