Driving an off-road vehicle (ORV) is a lot of fun, but only if it’s done safely, and that means wearing a helmet. Polaris, the official ATV provider of the Boy Scouts of America, wants to highlight riders in its contest with the BSA this summer called #HelmetHairDontCare.
To enter the contest, simply submit a photo of yourself with wild helmet hair. Complete the entry form and upload your photo. You can also post your photo to your Instagram account using #HelmetHairDontCare. Another way to enter is by taking this quiz on all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety.
You can enter only once, and entrants must be between 14 and 21 years of age to enter and win. Entrants under 18 must obtain permission from parent or legal guardian before entering. The contest ends on Aug. 31, at midnight Central Time. The winner will get a prize package of a Polaris bag, goggles, helmet and gloves.
Pita Andonopoulos was last year’s winner of the #HelmetHairDontCare contest.
“I love all my Polaris gear; that’s the only gear I wear,” she says.
Let’s see your ‘helmet hair’ … and you can win some prizes!
Pita, 16, knows the importance of being safe while enjoying certain high-adventure activities and ensuring safety equipment fits properly and is appropriate for each activity.
“You definitely don’t want to wear a helmet that’s not meant for a particular sport because it won’t protect you as much,” the Life Scout with Troop 216 of La Grange Highlands, Ill., says. “If you ride safely, it’s a ton of fun, a whole bunch of enjoyment.”
After watching a motocross show on Netflix, Pita was inspired to ride, too, and her parents got her the equipment she needed, including helmets. When you take a helmet off after a ride, you probably won’t look very photogenic.
“Your hair will just be frizzy and it will be super-dirty,” Pita, 16, says.
But that’s OK. You’re protecting your head by following the ATV Safety Institute’s 7 Golden Rules for safe riding.
If your Scout is interested in driving ATVs, see if a BSA camp near you offers a safety camp. Through a partnership with the BSA, Polaris, the No. 1 off-road vehicle manufacturer and gold sponsor of the 2023 National Jamboree, provides off-road vehicles, safety equipment and ASI Rider Safety Training at Philmont Scout Ranch, the Summit Bechtel Reserve and select local camps. You can hear about the awesome ATV treks available at the Summit in the video below.
Stay safe
Before your Scout hops on an ATV, review the ATV Safety Institute’s “Golden Rules”:
- Always wear a Department of Transportation-compliant helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots and gloves.
- Never ride on paved roads except to cross when done safely and permitted by law.
- Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV. In the BSA, passengers are never permitted.
- Ride an ATV that’s right for your age.
- Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.
- Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed. Follow speed limits and trail conditions for which they are meant to operate.
For more ATV safety tips, check out these resources:
Polaris Ride Safe program tips
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