The Ecolympics: How it Works

We are just three days away from our Ecolympics kick-off! If you haven't signed up yet, there's still time. If you've signed up and want to add more events, there's still time for that too. Just mark your calendar for 12 noon on April 17 because that's when our events begin, with the exception of Power Shower, which begins at whatever time you get into the shower that day (unless you decide to be extreme and do a quick sponge-wash instead!).

I think it's going to be cool to know each of us our doing our own events on our own time and trying in the process to effect change and ultimately to raise awareness.

When you sign up for the events, you also take our Ecolympics oath and by doing this, you relieve us of the burden of judging your points. You take care of that for us. As the week proceeds, be sure to chat us up on our Facebook group page to let us know of any successes or difficulties you're having. For example, I still don't know how I'm going to "succeed" at Eat Local -- where am I going to get local breakfast cereal? Perhaps some eggs? For lunch, I know I can get Vermont's Cabot Cheese at Stop 'n Shop or Market Basket (for a dollar cheaper than at Whole Foods) but I need gluten-free bread and the stuff I buy comes from non-local California. Too far! For dinner, I don't know where to start just yet... I'll have to check our resources.

So, though the Ecolympics are self-run events, we hope you'll chat us up on our Facebook page or by commenting on our blog posts. We've had all kinds of water cooler talk about the Ecolympics in the Core Office and we'd love to recreate that online. Please also check the
resources for each of the event pages and be sure to send us links for anything that will
help us get better information out!

When the week is over, you'll log back into our site and tally your accomplishments. How often did you do what you set out to do? We have two options for most of our events so just check whichever one is appropriate. Do that for each of your events and we'll tally your final points.
We can't wait to hear about your success!

Your final points will fall into a particular tier (1, 2, 3 or 4) and we'll draw winners randomly from each tier. So, stay tuned to this blog for updates.

We've lined up some cool prizes: gift certificates to restaurants that serve local food, like Garden at the Cellar and Ten Tables, double passes for the Museum of Science, eco-friendly yoga mats (from our generous sponsor Kulae.com), Trader Joe's gift bags (food!), and last, but certainly not least, Planet Earth DVDs. At least a dozen Ecolympians will be taking a prize home!

(If you're beyond BU we still want you! We suggest you challenge a friend and create your own prize.)