Post by Steve Sutton on Jun 8, 2010 18:32:26 GMT -5
Michigan State Parks Gearing Up to Teach Beginners New
Outdoor Recreation Skills
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment invites anyone who
has ever wanted to try hiking, biking, paddling, camping, horseback
riding, geo-caching, outdoor yoga, and a number of other outdoor
recreation activities, to visit a Michigan state park or recreation area
this summer for free hands-on experience. A list of events is attached.
Michigan's 98 state parks and recreation areas offer over 500
GO-Get Outdoors events year-round. Most of these events began
with the mission of simply getting people outdoors, but have now evolved
into providing outdoor experiences for all persons, ages and skill
levels.
For many people, learning how to kayak or camp can be a daunting
experience. Gear expense, lack of knowledge, and fear of the unknown
are just a few reasons some people decide to stay indoors. Reducing
these barriers was a challenge park staff kept in mind when building
programs geared toward getting new groups of people outdoors.
"You have to find out what is getting in the way of someone enjoying
the outdoors, and then remove that barrier," said Maia Stephens, DNRE
recreation programmer for Michigan state parks. "That's why our
partnerships are so important. We strive to provide free gear and
on-site expertise, and have been able to do so through relationships
with organizations like Gander Mountain, Riverside Kayak Connection,
Michigan Association of Paddlesports Providers, and Go Gear."
This summer, Michigan state parks and recreation areas are offering
four programs designed to welcome new visitors to Michigan's woods and
waters. The First Time Campers and Park and Read programs have returned
from last season due to popular demand:
First Time Campers Program
Never been camping before? The First Time Campers program offers two
nights of camping, use of camping gear provided by Gander Mountain,
hands-on instructions on setting up camp, starting a campfire and it
includes your state park motor vehicle permit --- all for just $20.
First Time Campers get to choose from 19 different locations, with
cabins available in some locations for an extra fee for those that
prefer a more modern, first-time experience.
Park and Read Program
Now in its second year, the Park and Read program provides free one-day
passes to Michigan's state parks and recreation areas through
participating Michigan libraries. Any Michigan library card holder can
check out a free, one-day park pass at participating Michigan libraries
across the state. A person then has seven days to redeem the pass for
one free day-use visit to any one of Michigan's 98 state parks or
recreation areas. Many parks also have hammocks available for Park and
Read users to relax and enjoy a good book in the great outdoors.
Recreation 101
Sometimes a little one-on-one instruction is all that is needed to help
someone feel more confident about getting outdoors in the woods or on
the water. There are events taking place in Michigan state parks and
recreation areas this summer that are geared towards the novice outdoor
enthusiast, some with hands-on instruction. From "intro-to" events
to outdoor skills classes, Recreation 101 programs offer plenty of fun
and educational opportunities for the entire family.
Paddle 2o
Kayaking is becoming one of the fastest growing outdoor recreation
pursuits in the United States, and Michigan boasts some of the best
paddling opportunities in the country. From quiet inland lakes and
rivers, to kayaking along Michigan's 3,126 miles of freshwater
coastline. Paddle 2o celebrates 20 days of statewide paddling
adventures, including six "Intro-to-Paddling" events. Plus, the
DNRE is partnering with the Michigan Association of Paddlesports
Providers to offer anyone camping at a Michigan state park or recreation
area, between May 29 and June 20, a 20 percent discount on day-trips
with any MAPP outfitter.
"Michigan state parks and recreation areas offer more than just
camping. They are a great place to learn a new skill, explore a new
hobby, or just enjoy a day of fun with family and friends," said Ron
Olson, Chief of the DNRE Recreation Division. "The GO-Get Outdoors
events are designed to provide an access point to outdoor recreation for
people from all walks of life, and an avenue to a healthy lifestyle."
"GO-Get Outdoors" is a series of continuous, special events
designed to encourage all people, especially families, to take advantage
of the many outdoor recreational opportunities that are available in
this great state. For more information about these programs and a
complete list of events taking place in Michigan state parks and
recreation areas, visit the Get Outdoors Calendar at
www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors.
All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must
display a 2010 Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the park
entrance or online through the Michigan E-Store at
www.michigan.gov/estore. Cost is $24 for a resident annual and $6
for a resident daily. A non-resident annual is $29 and a non-resident
daily is $8.
Effective Oct. 1, 2010, the Recreation Passport will be available to
Michigan residents for $10 per registered vehicle, or $5 per registered
motorcycle. This will replace the resident annual state park and
boating access site permits. By checking "Yes" on your vehicle
registration form, Michigan residents will realize a 58 percent savings
in exchange for unlimited access to all Michigan state parks and boating
access sites. This money will also help support Michigan state parks,
boating access sites, state forests and local parks. For more
information about the Recreation Passport, visit
www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the
conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment
of the state's environment, natural resources, and related economic
interests for current and future generations.
Outdoor Recreation Skills
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment invites anyone who
has ever wanted to try hiking, biking, paddling, camping, horseback
riding, geo-caching, outdoor yoga, and a number of other outdoor
recreation activities, to visit a Michigan state park or recreation area
this summer for free hands-on experience. A list of events is attached.
Michigan's 98 state parks and recreation areas offer over 500
GO-Get Outdoors events year-round. Most of these events began
with the mission of simply getting people outdoors, but have now evolved
into providing outdoor experiences for all persons, ages and skill
levels.
For many people, learning how to kayak or camp can be a daunting
experience. Gear expense, lack of knowledge, and fear of the unknown
are just a few reasons some people decide to stay indoors. Reducing
these barriers was a challenge park staff kept in mind when building
programs geared toward getting new groups of people outdoors.
"You have to find out what is getting in the way of someone enjoying
the outdoors, and then remove that barrier," said Maia Stephens, DNRE
recreation programmer for Michigan state parks. "That's why our
partnerships are so important. We strive to provide free gear and
on-site expertise, and have been able to do so through relationships
with organizations like Gander Mountain, Riverside Kayak Connection,
Michigan Association of Paddlesports Providers, and Go Gear."
This summer, Michigan state parks and recreation areas are offering
four programs designed to welcome new visitors to Michigan's woods and
waters. The First Time Campers and Park and Read programs have returned
from last season due to popular demand:
First Time Campers Program
Never been camping before? The First Time Campers program offers two
nights of camping, use of camping gear provided by Gander Mountain,
hands-on instructions on setting up camp, starting a campfire and it
includes your state park motor vehicle permit --- all for just $20.
First Time Campers get to choose from 19 different locations, with
cabins available in some locations for an extra fee for those that
prefer a more modern, first-time experience.
Park and Read Program
Now in its second year, the Park and Read program provides free one-day
passes to Michigan's state parks and recreation areas through
participating Michigan libraries. Any Michigan library card holder can
check out a free, one-day park pass at participating Michigan libraries
across the state. A person then has seven days to redeem the pass for
one free day-use visit to any one of Michigan's 98 state parks or
recreation areas. Many parks also have hammocks available for Park and
Read users to relax and enjoy a good book in the great outdoors.
Recreation 101
Sometimes a little one-on-one instruction is all that is needed to help
someone feel more confident about getting outdoors in the woods or on
the water. There are events taking place in Michigan state parks and
recreation areas this summer that are geared towards the novice outdoor
enthusiast, some with hands-on instruction. From "intro-to" events
to outdoor skills classes, Recreation 101 programs offer plenty of fun
and educational opportunities for the entire family.
Paddle 2o
Kayaking is becoming one of the fastest growing outdoor recreation
pursuits in the United States, and Michigan boasts some of the best
paddling opportunities in the country. From quiet inland lakes and
rivers, to kayaking along Michigan's 3,126 miles of freshwater
coastline. Paddle 2o celebrates 20 days of statewide paddling
adventures, including six "Intro-to-Paddling" events. Plus, the
DNRE is partnering with the Michigan Association of Paddlesports
Providers to offer anyone camping at a Michigan state park or recreation
area, between May 29 and June 20, a 20 percent discount on day-trips
with any MAPP outfitter.
"Michigan state parks and recreation areas offer more than just
camping. They are a great place to learn a new skill, explore a new
hobby, or just enjoy a day of fun with family and friends," said Ron
Olson, Chief of the DNRE Recreation Division. "The GO-Get Outdoors
events are designed to provide an access point to outdoor recreation for
people from all walks of life, and an avenue to a healthy lifestyle."
"GO-Get Outdoors" is a series of continuous, special events
designed to encourage all people, especially families, to take advantage
of the many outdoor recreational opportunities that are available in
this great state. For more information about these programs and a
complete list of events taking place in Michigan state parks and
recreation areas, visit the Get Outdoors Calendar at
www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors.
All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must
display a 2010 Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the park
entrance or online through the Michigan E-Store at
www.michigan.gov/estore. Cost is $24 for a resident annual and $6
for a resident daily. A non-resident annual is $29 and a non-resident
daily is $8.
Effective Oct. 1, 2010, the Recreation Passport will be available to
Michigan residents for $10 per registered vehicle, or $5 per registered
motorcycle. This will replace the resident annual state park and
boating access site permits. By checking "Yes" on your vehicle
registration form, Michigan residents will realize a 58 percent savings
in exchange for unlimited access to all Michigan state parks and boating
access sites. This money will also help support Michigan state parks,
boating access sites, state forests and local parks. For more
information about the Recreation Passport, visit
www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the
conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment
of the state's environment, natural resources, and related economic
interests for current and future generations.