Students Take Action in the Green & Clean Campus Challenge

From October through December 2025, college campuses across the country came together for the Green & Clean Campus Challenge, a partnership between the National Park Trust and Brew Dr. Kombucha. Seven schools joined the friendly competition, hosting cleanup events at nearby parks and public lands, and turning environmental care into something active, social, and fun.

Students showed up ready to work. With gloves on and trash bags in hand, cleanup outings became a chance to connect with classmates, give back to their communities, and make a visible difference outdoors. The challenge stayed competitive throughout the fall, with points awarded for hosting events, engaging participants, and the amount of trash collected. Bonus points every two weeks kept the momentum going and encouraged teams to stay involved all semester.

By the end of the challenge, the collective impact was clear. Across all seven schools, 129 students participated in cleanup outings, removing more than 250 pounds of trash from local green spaces. Beyond the numbers, students built stronger campus connections and stepped into leadership roles, learning firsthand how small actions can add up to real change. And after a long day of work, Brew Dr. Kombucha helped celebrate the effort, giving students a refreshing way to toast their impact.

Knox College took home the top spot, led by campus ambassadors Sarah Strauss and Patience Wagner, whose creativity and commitment stood out throughout the challenge. Close behind, Shenandoah University, guided by Jacob Gorman and Rosaline Hertenstein, impressed with strong participation and thoughtful engagement.

The Green & Clean Campus Challenge showed what’s possible when students come together with a shared goal. With teamwork, energy, and a genuine care for the environment, participants helped make their campuses and nearby parks cleaner and more vibrant, proving that environmental leadership can be accessible, impactful, and even a little fun.