The North Face today announced the launch of the Explore Your Parks program, a partnership with the Maryland and Virginia State Parks, American Hiking Society and The National Park Trust, to encourage families to get outdoors and enjoy state parks in the Washington, DC, area this fall.


By providing families the tools they need to enjoy the open spaces near them, these groups are actively supporting Let’s Move Outside, the outdoor recreation component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign to end childhood obesity. Since Let’s Move Outside kicked off in early June, thousands of American children and families have taken part in fitness-boosting activities such as hiking, biking and canoeing on public lands and waters across the country.

During the month of September, people living in the greater DC area can receive a free one-day pass (good until Dec. 31, 2010) for use in any Maryland or Virginia State Park with a $50 purchase or more of any The North Face product. Additionally, people who retrieve a code at 10 featured trails in state parks can receive a free Explore Your Parks stainless steel water bottle from participating DC-area retail locations (found at www.exploreyourparks.com under “Retailers” section).


“This program is a great example of how we are working with the private sector where gaps exist in funding in order to keep the parks open and maintained for public use,” said Virginia State Parks Director, Joe Elton. “Programs like this one with The North Face are a natural fit and a win-win situation for everyone.”


“This partnership benefits Maryland,” said Maryland Park Service Superintendent, Nita Settina. “Working with The North Face will provide a great opportunity for even more Maryland families to learn about our State Parks and enjoy the natural resources our State has to offer.”


Special launch events for the Explore Your Parks program will be held Saturday, Sept. 18, at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, MD, with Chris Bushman, deputy superintendent of the Maryland Park Service, attending, and on Sunday, Sept. 19, at Mason Neck State Park, in Lorton, VA, with Virginia State Parks Director, Joe Elton, attending. For more information on the events and directions to these parks, please visit www.exploreyourparks.com


Throughout the month of September, The North Face will donate $1 to trail preservation in Maryland and Virginia State Parks for each new member to PlanetExplore.com, a resource for local outdoor events, or new download of the Trailhead App.