America’s State Parks today announced its support of and ongoing partnership with Outdoor Nation, a youth-led and coalition supported initiative of the Outdoor Foundation.  


America’s State Parks is an official program partner of Outdoor Nation’s first-ever Youth Summit that convened nearly 500 youth leaders in New York City for outdoor adventures and workshops on June 19th and 20th.  America’s State Parks supported the Media and Culture track along with its partner and the official track sponsor, Olympus Imaging America Inc. America’s State Parks and the Outdoor Foundation will work to engage Outdoor Nation in a new Youth Ambassador Program.  State Park Youth Ambassadors-at least one from every state-will collaborate on a nationwide media and marketing program promoting outdoor recreation in state parks.

“America’s State Parks are our country’s best kept secrets and recreation hideaways,” Leslie McKnelly, a 25-year-old Outdoor Nation delegate from North Carolina told a group of her peers during the session.  “Visitation and popularity are growing as Americans discover the parks as an easy answer to their desire for a healthy and active lifestyle, or for an affordable family vacation destination close to home… yet our parks have never been in more urgent need of our support. “


McKnelly referred to the uncertain future for many of our parks due to significant strain on the state budgets.  Despite their great popularity, state parks are not generally well known outside their immediate area, putting them at a disadvantage when it comes to raising broad-based public support.


“The Outdoor Foundation is pleased to partner with America’s State Parks to launch a nationwide Youth Ambassador program,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation. “Outdoor Nation is a growing youth-led outdoor movement where young leaders are championing change in communities and on campuses across the country. Protecting America’s State Parks is one of the most important things our ‘Outsider’ community can do.”


The America’s State Parks campaign was launched in 2009 as a public/private partnership effort to promote the natural, cultural and wellness value, as well as, the economic benefits provided by the parks in each of our 50 States.  A key initiative of the campaign is to develop a dynamic channel online at www.AmericasStateParks.org where the public can access and share relevant and timely information about visiting, volunteering, supporting and enjoying state parks. The Youth Ambassador program is a vital step in launching this effort. 


The Ambassadors will begin work with park staff and their own social networks this summer to document the outdoor experiences across all 50 states with articles, vlogs, and photo essays.  Olympus, an official media partner of America’s State Parks, has contributed 100 STYLUS TOUGH-3000 digital cameras to allow the ambassadors to easily capture HD video and hundreds of stunning images. The STYLUS TOUGH-3000, a shockproof, waterproof and freezeproof compact camera is designed to capture all of life’s adventures from the extreme to the everyday and will be a perfect fit for this outdoor youth partnership.

“A youth-led movement for the outdoors is not only a first-of-its kind effort, but it is exactly what is needed to raise awareness and attract the attention and support of the young Americans who may not currently benefit from a deep connection with nature,” said NASPD President Joe Elton, Director of Virginia State Parks.  “We’re proud to be working with the Outdoor Foundation, Outdoor Nation and Olympus.   We are looking forward to officially kicking off the State Park Youth Ambassador program this summer and bringing the stories of the parks to the public through the lens of the best and brightest young outdoor enthusiasts and advocates in each state.”


Candidates for the State Park Ambassador Program aged 18-26 and can apply online at www.americasstateparks.org beginning July 1, 2010.