Organizations Come Together to Celebrate Kids and Youth in the Great Outdoors

GOA week tent

Members of NOLS Expedition Denali teach young campers how to pitch a tent 

During my second full week as a Sierra Club intern I was lucky enough to participate in Great Outdoors America Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness around outdoor issues by advocating for public lands and connecting people with nature to members of Congress and the Administration. I had a great time educating leaders on Capitol Hill, especially spreading the word about the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act!  I met wonderful volunteers from Sierra Club chapters across the country and became acquainted with some of our nation’s leaders in outdoor recreation, education and health. Though I loved every action-packed second of GO America Week, my favorite event hands down was the Outdoors Alliance for Kids’ Youth and America’s Great Outdoors event.    

The OAK youth event was held along the Anacostia River at Bladensburg Waterfront Park in Maryland. The scenic Bladensburg Waterfront Park, maintained by the Prince George’s County Department of Park and Recreation, provided an ideal backdrop for the day's activities. 

Spearheaded by the Outdoors Alliance for Kids and Minneapolis-based adventure travel organization Wilderness Inquiry (an OAK member), the event served to spread a message of ensuring outdoor opportunities for kids, youth, and families everywhere.

 Check out a round-up of the day on Storify! You can also read a full write-up of the day from the Outdoors Alliance for Kids

We hope to see you at next year's Great Outdoors America Week!

-- by Tia Watkins