It’s not hard to step outside and enjoy the great outdoors when you live in a state blessed with 117 state parks and 2.1 million acres of state forestland. Still, many people are working very hard to make that experience even easier.

Gov. Rendell gave the effort strong momentum in late May when he joined President Bush, more than 20 other state governors, and 50 national organizations in proclaiming June Outdoors Day.

DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis pitched in by issuing an even stronger standing invitation to state residents, urging them to visit their area state parks and state forestlands and see what they have been missing on an upcoming special day geared to first-time visitors.

And the Bureau of State Parks picked up the ball, selecting three of its facilities to host a special celebration of events marking National Get Outdoors Day. If you live close to Chapman State Park in Warren County; Keystone, Westmoreland County; or Nockamixon, Bucks, you’ll want to mark Saturday, June 14, on your calendar.

All three state parks are showcasing what Pennsylvania’s world of the outdoors have to offer, while, at the same time, embracing the philosophy of the American Recreation Coalition, an extensive network of outdoors-oriented, governmental agencies, conservation groups, and related businesses, committed to bucking a very disturbing trend -- a trend highlighted by Gov. Rendell in his proclamation:

“Great Outdoors Month is a significant opportunity to help reconnect our children to nature and reverse the troubling nationwide trends of children spending half as much time outside as they did 20 years ago and spending six and a half hours each day ‘plugged into’ electronic media,” the Governor said. “Outdoor recreation is vital to the economy of the Commonwealth, and the health and well-being of its residents; and this worthy pursuit will be showcased Saturday, June 14, in National Get Outdoors Day events at Chapman, Keystone and Nockamixon state parks.”

Increased involvement in outdoors-based activities was the driving force that drew hundreds to the 2007 Governor’s Outdoor Conference, and has been the impetus of ongoing, high-level state planning and strategy sessions to reverse what has become a national trend.

“The ‘welcome mat’ always is out at all our 117 state parks, but these three ‘Get Outdoors Day’ participants have many, many special events geared to capture the interests of the young, their parents and grandparents,” said Secretary DiBerardinis. “Just one visit to a special waterfall, or lofty state forest overlook is often all that’s needed to show first-timers that the ‘Great Outdoors’ is just that -- great!

"We actively have been reaching out to generate this type interest in our Get Outdoors PA program, under way since 2003 and now offered at 40 state parks across the state.”

Caroline Mica, speaking for the Washington-, D.C., based American Recreation Coalition, noted the increasing disconnect from the outside world must be addressed at a nationwide level. Great Outdoors Month and its Get Outdoors Day observance is a needed effort that’s gathering strong momentum.

“Our work to reconnect children to nature and have them enjoying the benefits of a healthy active outdoor lifestyle is extremely important,” Mica said. “We see elected officials recognizing that outdoor recreation is vital to the health and well-being of their state’s residents and showcasing National Get Outdoors Day.”

Mica applauded the Governor for his proclamation recognizing “the Great Outdoors as a means for combating the troubling nationwide trends of a sedentary lifestyle.”

Fishing derbies, birds-of- prey exhibits, hiking and biking, special tips for first-time campers—the lists of “Get Outdoors Day” activities at the three state parks go on and on.

For more information, visit the National Outdoors Day website.

6/6/2008