Thursday, May 17, 2012

GO OUTDOORS! IT’S GOOD FOR YOU!


The school year is winding down and kids everywhere are counting down the days. Children will have a lot of free time on their hands. What's a kid to do? GO OUTDOORS!

Ask any adult what they remember best about childhood and chances are they will recall riding their bikes, building forts and tree houses and generally playing outdoors until after dark. Kids were connected—to each other, their family and the outdoors. And, according to several studies, they were physically and emotionally healthier. Information taken from The Conservation Fund website at http://www.conservationfund.org/children-nature states that researchers suggest “that the decline in children’s health is linked, in part, to their growing disconnect from nature and outdoor activity.”

Much national attention is being paid to this dilemma—so much that in early 2011 a report entitled “America's Great Outdoors: A Promise to Future Generations” was released that was part of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Initiative. It’s an effort to reconnect Americans to the outdoors. A separate report was produced based on "youth listening sessions" in which young people expressed a strong desire to spend time outdoors. (Read more about the report)


Bass Pro Shops has long recognized the short and long term benefits for kids and adults being involved in the outdoors. Their National Go Outdoors Event was developed as a way to give families the opportunity to learn all of the outdoor skills needed to make their next outdoor adventure a great one and to reconnect with each other in the beauty of the great outdoors. This year’s Bass Pro Shops Go Outdoors Event will take place at 55 store locations in the United States May 18th-28th.

Exciting free events at the stores could include canoe and kayak demonstrations, casting contests, rock climbing walls, GPS classes, kid’s crafts, outdoor skills workshops, Dutch oven cooking, outdoor survival training and much, much more. There’s even the opportunity to get a great FREE 4x6 Family Photo download. (Events will vary per store. Please visit www.basspro.com/gooutdoors ((beginning May 7)) and select individual store location for events listing.)



The Go Outdoors event offers great Outdoor Essentials classes for adults May 18th - 20th .

Friday, May 18th :

• 6pm : Hiking Basics --learn about the best equipment to use for a successful hike

• 7pm: Campfire Cooking --discover a new way to prepare tasty, over-the-fire meals

• 8pm: Kayaks & Canoes --find out how to select the best kayak or canoe for float trips



Saturday,May 19th:

• 1pm: Life Jackets –learn about proper life jacket fit and how to choose the best one for your needs

• 2pm: Inflatable Life Jackets –see how they work

• 3pm: Camping Essentials –if you’re a beginner camper this is the class for you

• 4pm: GPS Tips & Techniques –bring your GPS for hands-on advice

• 5pm: Backpacking –discover the latest features and benefits of backpacking gear



Sunday, May 11th:

• 1pm: Dutch Oven Cooking –learn tips and techniques using this delicious cooking method

• 2pm: Inflatable Life Jackets –see how they work

• 3pm: Tent Set-up --learn tent set-up and the importance of choosing the proper tent

• 4pm: Smoker Tips & Techniques –learn the tips and techniques of smoker selection, food preparation and cooking



The Go Outdoors Event includes a “Summer Kickoff Challenge” with free weekend activities for kids Memorial Day weekend May 26th and 27th. From 11am to 4pm kids can learn how to set up a tent, compete in a sleeping bag race and enjoy a metal detector treasure hunt. The first 100 kids in each store to complete the Summer Kickoff Challenge each day will receive a fun bug glider. Kids will also be able to do a sand art craft from 12noon until 4pm Saturday, May 26th and paint a wooden insect craft Sunday, May 27th (while supplies last; styles may vary).

Kids may also bring in their best wildlife photo for a chance to win the Summer Kickoff Photo Contest. First place prize is a Bass Pro Shops 10x26 mm Compact Binoculars and a $25 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card and Second Place winner receives a $20 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card.

“One of the most exciting and invigorating places to go this summer is just beyond your front door,” said Larry Whiteley, Bass Pro Shops Manager of Communications. “Bass Pro Shops is committed to helping adults and children across the nation put away their laptops, video games, and cell phones and head outdoors. Whether it’s fishing, hiking through a local park, or simply laying on your lawn watching the stars at night, there are so many great things to do outdoors this summer.”
While at Bass Pro Shops, register to win the “Outdoor Maui Adventure”—a 7day, 6-night trip to Maui, Hawaii. One National Grand Prize will be awarded to one winner and their guest who will win the Maui Jim® and The North Face® Adventure Package that also includes airfare, hotel and car rental. The total combined approximate retail value of the prize is $5,667. (No purchase necessary to enter or claim prize. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia and Canada ((excluding Quebec)) who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. All federal and other tax liabilities are the sole responsibility of the winner. Sweepstakes begins on 5/18/12 and ends on 5/28/12. See store for more details.)

Each store location will also select a First Place winner who will receive a gift package of one MasterBuilt Cookmaster propane smoker, one Pacific Bamboo BBQ tool set, one The North Face Terra 45 backpack, and one pair of Maui Jim sunglasses. The total combined approximate retail value of the prize is over $500 (specific items are to be selected by Sponsor).
This year, commit to getting outdoors with your kids for all your health’s sake. Visit Bass Pro Shops during the National Go Outdoors Event, interact with your family in the great outdoors and make some memories to last a lifetime.



About Bass Pro Shops®:
Bass Pro Shops® operates 58 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 110 million people annually. Bass Pro Shops® also conducts an international catalog and internet retailing operation, American Rod & Gun® wholesale division sells to over 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide. Outdoor World® Incentives also sells Bass Pro Shops® gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America. The Bass Pro Shops® restaurant division with 26 locations. The company’s Tracker Marine Group® (http://www.trackerboats.com/) manufactures and sells Tracker®, Nitro®, SunTracker®, Tahoe®, Grizzly® and Mako® boats through Bass Pro Shops® retail stores and over 400 dealers worldwide. The Resort Group (http://www.bigcedar.com/) includes Big Cedar Lodge® and other resort properties including restaurants and golf courses. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops® store locations, products or special events, please visit http://www.basspro.com/. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.


Disclosure: I was under no obligation to share this information. I have worked with Bass Pro Shops (reviews) over the years and I value them as a company that brings families together with the many free events they host. Enjoy!

No comments: