Submitted by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Washington State Parks Foundation invite the public to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day with an outdoor expo June 14 on the Washington State Capitol Campus. The event includes a special appearance by Gov. Jay Inslee and a campout at the Governor’s Mansion for youth from two South Sound organizations.
The Get Outdoors Adventure Awaits Expo is one of five 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 14, near the steps of the Legislative Building. The public is invited to enjoy a wide range of activities, including hikes, outdoor equipment demonstrations, lawn games 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 during the event.
“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.”
The Governor will close the expo at 3:30 p.m. with special remarks about his passion for parks and the outdoors, then will accompany the young campers to the lawns at the Governor’s Mansion for the Great Outdoors Capital Campout. About 25 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 during the remainder of the afternoon and evening and then camp on the Mansion lawn overnight. Washington State Parks staff will provide an interpretive campfire program, geocaching, crafts, songs and games.
The Coleman Company and S.C. Johnson’s OFF!® 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 Sunday morning. Subway® is providing dinner for the campers.
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, while State Parks is working to coordinate the Campout.
Expo participants so far include:
- Recreation organizations: Washington Wildlife Recreation Coalition, Cascade Bicycle Club, Washington Bikes, Mountains to Sound Greenway, Shellfish and Water Protection, The Nature Conservancy, Washington Sea Grant and Explore Hood Canal, Skagit Tours, the Washington State Geocaching Association
- Agencies: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Recreation Conservation Office, U.S. Forest Service Olympic Forest and State Parks’ Discover Pass, Volunteer and Boating Safety programs
- Outdoor gear companies: Sports Authority, Centro and Oakiwear
- Event sponsors: S.C. Johnson/OFF! ®, Coleman and Subway
- Youth organizations: Boys and Girls Club of Thurston County, South Sound YMCA and Girl Scouts of Western Washington.
- Food and music: Participants so far include All Fed Up, an area food concession that serves organic sandwiches and burritos using organic ingredients. Music is by Servants of the Rich, a regional group that performs Irish and American folk music.
