The Outdoor Foundation announced the launch of the “I Will” campaign at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2008 as a call to action for stakeholders of the outdoor industry to proactively encourage healthier children, healthier communities and healthier businesses.
As part of the “I Will” campaign, The Outdoor Foundation will ask each person at Outdoor Retailer to pledge to take two kids outside during the next year in an effort to connect youth with the outdoors and to help reverse downward participation trends in our industry. Together, we will work to improve the mental and physical health of children in our country.
The Outdoor Foundation makes it easy to sign up. The pledge will be highly prominent and visible throughout Outdoor Retailer Summer Market-at the Open Air Demo, in hotel rooms and throughout the Salt Palace at more than 30 exhibitors booths as well as at Outdoor Industry Association booth (# 56000) and in the Paddlers Lounge (# 36108).
Following Outdoor Retailer, The Outdoor Foundation will take the pledge national, working to position the outdoor industry as a leading and visible force for change on these critical societal issues facing youth today.
“The Outdoor Foundation has set a big goal for the “I Will” campaign, but its realistic because our industry is strongly committed to reversing the decline in participation and working to change the trend toward youth inactivity,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, Outdoor Industry Association president and board member of The Outdoor Foundation.
“Our industry will be the catalyst to enable more kids to be outside, to ensure a healthier environment with a new influx of stewards, a healthier next generation, and a healthier industry,” Hugelmeyer adds.
If you would like to support the I Will campaign and host a pledge station in your booth during Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, please contact Julie Evans for additional information at Julie@verdepr.com.
The Outdoor Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 established by Outdoor Industry Association to inspire and grow future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. The Foundation introduces youth to outdoor recreation through nationwide youth programming and produces high-quality, groundbreaking research that quantifies the extent and quality of participation in outdoor recreation as well as its economic impact on the U.S.
