How It Works

What is NCRC's Spring Forth? It's not a race or a run. For this event, you're likely to walk. You could probably take the photos all within a park. It's not a photo competition but a photo-sharing challenge. It's similar to a scavenger hunt. You get a list of things to find while you're outdoors. The idea is to share your outdoor photos with everyone on the event website.  We're based in Raleigh, but you can participate from anywhere.

What is the event week schedule: Each day will feature a different category. Two categories, Sign of Spring and Public Park, can be posted on any of the eight days. The other eight galleries will open for posting on designated days: April 13: Bird Watch; April 14: Four-Legged Friends; April 15: Greenway or Marked Trail; April 16: Leafy Treasures; April 17: Nature's Alphabet; April 18: Outdoor Art; April 19: Two or More of Us; and April 20: Water Wonders. 

Why do we have to register? First of all, this is a fundraiser. We're raising money for two nonprofit groups: Girls on the Run of the Triangle and the City of Oaks Foundation. All proceeds from the registration fees will be split equally between the two groups. Participants also can choose to donate more to one or both of the groups. Secondly, we require registration for participation in the challenge. Anyone can view the photos, but only registered participants can post them. Participants can now register as an individual or a team for the same price, with the team leader registering and posting all of the team's photos. As an incentive for participating and meeting the challenge, we will have drawings for prizes at the end of the event. Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. April 13.

        
After registering, what's next? Nothing officially happens for participants until April 13. We suggest deciding beforehand which categories you want to choose, or if you want to try all of them. You don't have to wait until the event week to take your photos. However, we ask that you post your photos to the website during the week of April 13-20. You have one mandatory category and can choose from six of the other nine for the seven categories required to qualify for the prize drawing.

      
What are the event rules? The rules are fairly simple:

• Photos must be original, taken away from your home, taken outdoors, and fit the categories (with wide latitude).
• They don't have to be taken during a single outing. You can submit as many photos as you'd like, but you are only required to submit one photo per category and one category per photo (seven different photos). The idea is to use smartphone cameras to take snapshots rather than high-resolution photos.
• We reserve the right to disqualify and remove any offensive photos or any that are copyrighted, have been taken by someone other than the participant or someone on a team with the participant, or involve an invasion of privacy or trespassing. Photos that don't fit the categories or the event rules may also be removed and disqualified.

What are the categories? The one mandatory category is Sign of Spring. Primarily, this includes flowers, but it could be pollen, plantings, or anything else that brings spring to mind. The other main category (not mandatory) is Public Park. The other eight categories include Bird Watch (no backyard feeder photos allowed), Four-Legged Friends (must be outdoors), Greenway or Marked Trail, Leafy Treasures, Nature's Alphabet (a letter you see etched by nature, such as a V, Y, or S), Outdoor Art, Two or More of Us (must be outdoors), and Water Wonders. The photos on this page are just samples.

                                                                                                 
Can people be in the photos? Certainly for Two or More of Us. For the others, they don't have to be, but you can post selfies and/or photos with your friends and loved ones. 
 
        
Can the photos promote my group or business? Sure. Feel free to do so. Just be respectful.

Who is donating gift cards and race entries for the drawing? Please check out our "Donors" page and support our donors. All prizes have been donated.

Can everyone see your identity in posting? That's your choice. When you register, you'll be asked for a "Posting Name." Be creative in choosing a name, especially if you're participating as a team! Of course, you may still choose to use your real name. Your posting name will appear with your photos, along with where you took the photo and what category fits the photo. 

Any other questions? Contact Jack at jethreadgill7@gmail.com.