OLYMPIA – June 11, 2015 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Washington State Parks Foundation invite the public to celebrate National Get Outdoors Month with an outdoor expo June 27 on the Washington State Capitol Campus.
The Get Outdoors Adventure Awaits Expo is one of many events being offered at state capitols around the nation, in conjunction with the American Recreation Coalition’s Great Outdoors Month. The Expo takes place from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27, near the steps of the Legislative Building in Olympia. The public is invited to enjoy a wide range of activities, including games, outdoor equipment demonstrations, giveaways, food trucks and live music. The Expo also will feature educational displays offered by natural resource agencies, outdoor organizations and companies that produce outdoor recreation products and services. The Legislative Building will be open for tours.
“One reason Washington is such a remarkable place to live is because of its remarkable beauty. National Great Outdoors Month and Get Outdoors Day provide a great opportunity for all of us to experience the beautiful parks and outdoor places that make our state so unique,” said Gov. Inslee. “This Expo is the perfect place to find ideas for family trips and adventures close to home.”
Special guest speakers will open the expo at 11 a.m. with remarks about their passion for parks and the outdoors and will be accompanied by young campers from the Great Outdoors Capitol Campout. About 40 young campers from the Boys and Girls Club of Thurston County and the South Sound YMCA have been selected to participate in a variety of activities the day and evening preceding expo day and then will camp overnight on the lawn at the Governor’s Mansion. Washington State Parks staff will provide an interpretive campfire program and activities such as fire safety fishing lessons, orienteering, crafts, songs and games.
The Coleman Company, Delaware North, Albertsons and Take Me Fishingtm are major sponsors of the nationwide event. Coleman is providing camping gear, which the campers will take home with them when the event wraps up on Saturday morning. Delaware North is providing chefs, who will be sharing tips for healthy eating and cooking. Food is provided by Albertsons. Take Me Fishingtm is providing fishing gear for the youth involved in the Capitol Campout to take home with them. Camper shirts and snacks are being provided by the Washington State Employee Credit Union and the Manufactured Home and Recreation Vehicle Show Association.
The Washington State Parks Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to engage, expand, and sustain a broad base of supporters who give to, advocate for, and treasure our state parks.” The foundation is coordinating participation in the Expo, where it will be presented with a $5,400 check from the Washington State Employees Credit Union. The Washington State Parks agency is coordinating the kids’ Capitol Campout.
Expo participants include:
• Organizations: Washington Trails Association, Back Country Horsemen of Washington, Washington State Geocaching Association, National Wildlife Federation, The Mountaineers – Olympia Branch, Washington State Employees Credit Union, Federation of State Employees, Northwest Adventure Center at JBLM, EarthCorps, Washington Water Trails Association, Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia, Washington State Parks Foundation
• Agencies: U.S. Forest Service, Olympic National Forest; Washington Department of Natural Resources; Department of Health Shellfish and Water Protection; Public Employee Benefit Board; and State Parks’ Discover Pass, Volunteer and Boating Safety programs
• Outdoor gear companies: MSR®, Therm-a-Rest®, Platypus®, SealLine®, PackTowl®, Prism Kite Technology, Mountaineers Books
• Event Sponsors: Coleman, Albertson’s, Delaware North, Take Me Fishingtm and Outdoors NW
• Youth organizations: Boys and Girls Club of Thurston County, South Sound YMCA, Girl Scouts of Western Washington and the Hands On Children’s Museum of Olympia
• Food and music: Musical performances will include the National Guard Brass Band, Urban Sage and Eclectic Soul Project. Available food will include All Fed Up, Lupe’s Tamales and Tacos California
For up-to-date event information, visit the Washington State Parks Foundation
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Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, www.twitter.com/WaStatePks and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks. Share your favorite state park adventure on the State Parks blog site at www.AdventureAwaits.com.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Media contacts:
Virginia Painter, State Parks, (360) 902-8562
Jeff Compton, State Parks Foundation, (206) 403-6071