05-02-2008, 08:20 PM
COLUMBUS, OH - Central Ohio children and their families are invited to participate in the May 10 kickoff of "Explore the Outdoors," a statewide campaign that challenges children - especially those in grades K-5 - to get outside and reconnect with their natural world.
<br>The beach at Alum Creek State Park in Delaware County will host a series of kickoff activities beginning at 1 p.m. that Saturday, including fishing demonstrations (a limited number of free rods and reels will be distributed to participants, courtesy of Gander Mountain), canoeing, a wildflower hike, beach football, sand treasure hunt and kite flying. The event will conclude with a brief ceremony at 2:30 p.m. with speakers First Lady Frances Strickland and Sean D. Logan, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Area families are encouraged to join in the outdoor fun.<br>
<br>The first of nearly 800,000 "Explore the Outdoors" Activity Guides will be distributed to kickoff attendees. The 34-page, full-color guides list 10 outdoor activities for children to complete by September 1. Activities include catching a fish, hiking/biking a trail, exploring a wetland, learning from a naturalist and paddling a scenic river. The guide also lists various locations around Ohio to complete the activities. A code for each activity will be posted at these locations throughout the summer. Once an activity is completed, the child may enter the appropriate code in the guide.<br>
<br>When eight of the 10 activities are completed, a child can visit a special "Explore the Outdoors" Web site (currently under construction) and enter the appropriate codes to receive a certificate of completion from Governor Ted Strickland. The first 1,000 children who obtain a certificate, will also be eligible to receive a Coleman mini companion lantern.<br>
<br>ODNR partners lending support to the campaign include the National Park Service, Audubon Ohio, Wayne National Forest, Leave No Child Inside - Columbus and Cincinnati, the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association, Ohio Metro and County Parks and the state departments of Health and Education.<br>
<br>Sponsors contributing to the activity guide include the American Heart Association and Coleman. Gander Mountain will provide the youth fishing demonstration for the launch event.<br>
<br>Additional information about the campaign is available by e-mailing explore@dnr.state.oh.us .
<br>The beach at Alum Creek State Park in Delaware County will host a series of kickoff activities beginning at 1 p.m. that Saturday, including fishing demonstrations (a limited number of free rods and reels will be distributed to participants, courtesy of Gander Mountain), canoeing, a wildflower hike, beach football, sand treasure hunt and kite flying. The event will conclude with a brief ceremony at 2:30 p.m. with speakers First Lady Frances Strickland and Sean D. Logan, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Area families are encouraged to join in the outdoor fun.<br>
<br>The first of nearly 800,000 "Explore the Outdoors" Activity Guides will be distributed to kickoff attendees. The 34-page, full-color guides list 10 outdoor activities for children to complete by September 1. Activities include catching a fish, hiking/biking a trail, exploring a wetland, learning from a naturalist and paddling a scenic river. The guide also lists various locations around Ohio to complete the activities. A code for each activity will be posted at these locations throughout the summer. Once an activity is completed, the child may enter the appropriate code in the guide.<br>
<br>When eight of the 10 activities are completed, a child can visit a special "Explore the Outdoors" Web site (currently under construction) and enter the appropriate codes to receive a certificate of completion from Governor Ted Strickland. The first 1,000 children who obtain a certificate, will also be eligible to receive a Coleman mini companion lantern.<br>
<br>ODNR partners lending support to the campaign include the National Park Service, Audubon Ohio, Wayne National Forest, Leave No Child Inside - Columbus and Cincinnati, the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association, Ohio Metro and County Parks and the state departments of Health and Education.<br>
<br>Sponsors contributing to the activity guide include the American Heart Association and Coleman. Gander Mountain will provide the youth fishing demonstration for the launch event.<br>
<br>Additional information about the campaign is available by e-mailing explore@dnr.state.oh.us .