With National Camping Month officially under way, several
outdoor companies and organizations are jumping
in and organizing key events to bring outdoor recreation
to the forefront. Outdoor companies may have been
provided new opportunities for business by the new U.S.
administration after Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
announced last week that the National Park Service
will offer three fee-free weekends this summer to encourage
Americans seeking affordable vacations to visit
these nearby National Parks.
“During these tough economic times, our national parks
provide opportunities for affordable vacations for families,”
Salazar said at a press conference at Cuyahoga Valley National
Park. “Tourism income helps Americas economic
recovery,” he continued. “National park sites in the Great
Lakes states, for example, attract 8 million recreation visits
a year that bring $211 million into the local economies.
Spending by visitors from out of the area supports 4,400
local jobs. So these areas need to maintain and expand
this vital tourism.”
Many park partners including tour operators, hotels, restaurants,
gift shops, and other vendors will offer additional
discounts and special promotions on the free access
weekends.
The Outdoor Foundation is working with the Department
of Interior's Summer of Service campaign to promote
and extend involvement in outdoor activities beyond
National Camping Month. According to Christine Fanning,
executive director of The Outdoor Foundation, the
Summer of Service campaign is an extension of the “I
Will” program, launched last summer. It will challenge
adults across the country to take a child outdoors this
summer. As a top “gateway” activity, camping is one of
the best ways to introduce young people to the outdoors.
The Foundation, working with companies and individuals
in the outdoor community, will offer online resources as
well as a pledge form and corporate kit to support and
inspire a “Summer of Service.”
In addition, The Outdoor Foundation, along with support
from REI and Saucony, will unveil an online, interactive
toolkit this week that will show mentors how to take
young people on outdoor outings. Camping is one of the
six outdoor activities featured in honor of National
Camping Month. This online resource highlights stories,
advice, and lessons gathered from professional outdoor
leaders around the country.
The North Face has made the largest commitment to
National Camping Month among the outdoor industry
vendor community. The company is enlisting all of its
U.S. TNF brand stores to promote camping during the
month of June.
“We are dedicated to fueling passion for the outdoors
and encouraging appreciation of outdoor activities
among individuals of all ages and abilities,” said Aaron
Carpenter, vice president of marketing for The North
Face. “This is a great opportunity to teach others about
the importance of respecting nature and proper outdoor
ethics while having a great time. Programs like National
Camping Month are vital for life-long outdoor commitment
and enjoyment.”
TNFs retail stores will be holding free educational
events, community activities and a sweepstakes to encourage
its customers to get outdoors. The stores will be
offering free clinics on topics such as how to select appropriate
camping gear, how to pack a backpack, how to
pitch a tent, how to make gourmet campfire meals and
where to camp locally.
