Drive Out/Give Back Challenge

This Earth Month and beyond, we're partnering with Van Land to inspire our communities to do more than just explore. We're asking you to leave every place better than you found it.

The van life community has always been about freedom, adventure, and connection to the open road. But with that freedom comes responsibility. Every campsite, trailhead, and scenic overlook we visit is a shared resource deserving our respect and care. Whether you're full-time vanlife or a camper van road-tripper, the choices you make on the road ripple outward and impact the places we all love.

That's why we created the Drive Out/Give Back Challenge. It's our way of turning exploration into action and proving that adventure and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.

How It Works

Find your next adventure. Choose a location you love: a national forest, your favorite campsite, a local park, a beach, a trailhead, or even a roadside rest area. It can be somewhere you've camped a hundred times or a new destination on you just discovered.

Make an impact. Spend an hour or more giving back. Pick up litter, clear overgrown brush, repair a trail, restore a campsite, or organize a cleanup with fellow travelers. Document your work with photos or video that show the before and after.

Share it. Post your photos or video to social media using #driveoutgiveback and tag us @campervanhq. Tell us what you did, your clean-up location, why that place matters to you, and what you hope others will do to protect it.

We're Giving Back to You

Every participant who shares their impact story is entered to receive:

$50 off your next Campervan HQ purchase
Campervan HQ swag bag
A feature on our blog and social media channels, celebrating your contribution

We'll be spotlighting inspiring stories throughout Earth Month and beyond, so your impact will continue to inspire thousands of other van lifers to do the same.

Why This Matters

Overcrowding, overuse, misuse, improper waste disposal, and lack of maintenance threaten the wild places we depend on. When we take responsibility for the spaces we visit, we protect them for future generations of adventurers. Every piece of trash removed, every trail restored, and every campsite improved helps keep these places protected and loved.

The van life community is powerful. Together, we can prove that exploration and environmental stewardship aren't opposites—they're partners.

Your next stop can make a difference.

Ready to Join?

Head out, make your mark, and share your story using #driveoutgiveback. We can't wait to see the incredible work you're doing to protect the places we all call home.

Get Started

Get inspired for your next adventure. Here's some helpful ways you can make an impact:

CLEAN UP: Leave it better immediately

Pack out all trash (yours + what you find)
Do a quick 15-minute sweep of your area
Pick up micro-trash (bottle caps, wrappers, glass)
Remove leftover food waste (even “biodegradable” items)
Dispose of waste properly (don’t overfill bins)
Bring a dedicated trash bag or storage system in your van

RESTORE: Improve what’s been impacted

Break down illegal fire rings
Scatter unused firewood naturally
Brush out tire tracks or flattened areas (when appropriate)
Re-stack rocks or natural features that were disturbed
Cover small impact areas with natural materials (fill dirt, leaves, sticks)
Help maintain trails (move debris, clear small obstructions)

PROTECT: Prevent future damage

Stay on designated roads and trails
Camp in established sites—avoid creating new ones
Respect closures and protected areas
Keep distance from wildlife and sensitive habitats
Minimize campfire use (or skip it entirely when conditions are dry or restricted)
Use reef-safe / biodegradable products near water
Secure trash so animals can’t access it

CAMP RESPONSIBLY: Low-impact habits

Follow pack-in, pack-out at all times
Use portable toilets or proper waste disposal systems
Dump gray/black water only in approved locations
Keep campsites small and contained
Limit noise and light pollution
Respect other campers’ space and the local community
Leave natural items (don’t take rocks, plants, artifacts)

VAN-SPECIFIC PRACTICES

Build a simple cleanup kit (gloves, bags, grabber tool)
Store trash securely until proper disposal
Dump waste responsibly: Avoid dumping anything at your campsite or roadside
Use efficient setups (water, power, storage) to reduce waste
Park responsibly—don’t block access or damage terrain

SIMPLE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

Pick up 1 bag per trip
Do a 15-minute cleanup before leaving
Restore your campsite each time you leave
Avoid driving off-trail or using a damaged trail
Leave every site cleaner than you found it
Encourage others by sharing your actions
Educate: lead by example

It’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing something, every time you go out.

Thank you for joining us in our initiative to Drive out/Give back!

Disclaimer: Submissions for the Drive Out/Give Back initiative are open through April 30, 2026. Participation requires posting qualifying content and tagging #driveoutgiveback in accordance with campaign guidelines. Rewards, including a $50 off coupon and swag bag, are limited and available while supplies last. Submission does not guarantee a reward or feature. By participating, you grant Van Land and Campervan HQ permission to share your content across marketing channels. Selected participants will be contacted directly.