SUMMER FUN IN THE PARKS

Whether you enjoy spending your days under the summer sun or searching for ways to stay cool, the national parks across America are sure to add some excitement to your summer plans.  From the sunshine capes to breezy mountain peaks, the national parks are hosting events for every type of summer activity. Here is a list of some of our favorite summer national park events:

ARKANSAS – Buffalo National River – From canoeing to a nearby campground to hiking to one of the many prehistoric sites, Buffalo National River offers activities for any area of interest. Every Sunday, be sure to participate in a ranger-led boat tour through the various aquatic habitats of Buffalo. 

CALIFORNIA – Lassen Volcanic National Park – Instead of spending your summer poolside at home, visit the boiling pools inside the volcano at Lassen Volcanic National Park.

MASSACHUSETTS – Cape Cod National Seashore – Spend your Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons soaking up the rays by canoeing through Salt Pond and Nauset Marsh to explore the beauty and diversity that remains in these protected waters.

MICHIGAN – Sleeping Bears Dune National Lakeshore – Every Wednesday, feel the sand between your toes as you learn the importance and history of these rolling dunes.

NORTH CAROLINA – Cape Hatteras National Seashore – Every Tuesday, take advantage of the cool summer mornings of Cape Hatteras and participate in a ranger-led morning walk to witness some of the cape’s most unique birds.

TENNESSEE – Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Take a break from the summer heat and take a summer stroll through the cool terrain of the Smokies to discover why this famous mountain range is unique in the summer.

TEXAS – Padre Island National Seashore – Explore Padre Island’s 70 miles of protected coastline to witness the habitat of the endangered Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle as well as learn the craft of sand sculpting on July 21 and August 4.

WISCONSIN – Apostle Islands National Lakeshore – Plan your summer getaway to one of the 21 islands and rent a paddle any day of the week to explore the majestic lighthouses that tower over these beautiful beaches.

Are you a trivia connoisseur? Take a break from the summer heat and show off your knowledge of our nation’s national parks by answering NPF’s weekly “Fan Friday” trivia question.

Every Friday through August 31st, NPF will release a new national park trivia question, and every fan that answers correctly will be entered to win the weekly prize pack. Prizes include all types of NPF gear as well as an “America the Beautiful” national park pass. At the end of the summer, NPF will select a grand prize winner who will receive a once-in-a-lifetime houseboat adventure in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area provided by Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas!

What is more exciting to a kid than starting off the school year with a field trip? Despite evaporating school budgets, this fall, more than 30,000 lucky students will experience field trips to the ultimate recreational and educational playgrounds – our national parks. 35 national park sites from Maine to Hawaii will host kids on a variety of activities through the National Park Foundation’s Ticket to Ride program, made possible through support from DISNEY. These grants will give 250 Maryland high schoolers, who have never seen the ocean, the chance to explore Assateague Island National Seashore and become more science literate through research and service-learning projects. 1,400 third graders from South Carolina will visit Congaree National Park to participate in standards-based art lessons, science experiments, and nature hikes connected to earth science. And at Lava Beds National Monument, 720 California students will enjoy guided geology tours to witness first-hand the geologic features created by volcanic eruptions over the last half-million years! We can’t think of a more exciting way to start off the year than with these learning adventures, which are sure to leave students wanting to know more.

A five hour drive north of the Twin Cities, Voyageurs National Park – whose 30 lakes and many islands lie on the southern tip of the Canadian Shield – was created in 1975 at the behest and hard work of the founding members of Voyageurs National Park Association. Started in 1965 to advocate for the creation, protection and preservation of the park, VNPA is also working to grow awareness and appreciation for this water-based park with the creation of trip guides, volunteer opportunities and a pilot program engaging the next generation of park stewards.  The glacier-carved lakes and islands, once plied by the French Canadian fur traders – the Voyageurs – are now being explored once again by VNPA’s Teen Ambassadors. High school students from both the local communities and the Twin Cities will learn to camp, paddle and share their insights on how the park service can better connect with their generation. In the fall the Ambassadors will visit area middle schools to share more about their experience at the park. 

To learn more about this and other initiatives, visit VNPA’s website or find them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest! 

Did you know that the Latino community accounts for approximately 54 million people in the American population, yet Latinos represent less than 13% of national park visitors?  The National Park Foundation’s American Latino Heritage Fund (ALHF) is working to improve that statistic by raising funds to preserve and celebrate the cultural, economic and civic contributions of Latinos to the American story as told through the national parks system. 

This summer ALHF has launched a series of prominent efforts to improve the representation of Latino heritage in, visitors to, and long-term stewardship of America’s national parks.  They included participation in the National Council of La Raza Annual Conference in which ALHF hosted a lively discussion with prominent Latino leaders; the launch of the “American Latino Heritage Road Trip” in which ALHF, through a partnership with Hispanicize, sent five influential Latino bloggers on the road to discover and chronicle Latino contributions throughout the country (you can follow their journey on Facebook and Twitter, and by using the hashtag #LatinoHeritage); and by funding the a statewide youth summit through a $25,000 grant to the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, that engaged young people and their teachers in Washington state’s rich Hispanic and Latino heritage.

Learn more, get involved and support the American Latino Heritage Fund by visiting www.alhf.org.

Make this summer one to remember by exploring your national parks! Download the FREE National Park Foundation Owner’s Guide, Happy Trails: 25 Unforgettable National Park Hikes, filled with descriptions and insider recommendations on trails and treks for all ages, and ability levels. The guide also provides general hiking tips, as well as the inside scoop on exploring the diverse landscapes these parks have to offer. Whether you are an avid trekker or just bought your first pair of hiking boots, this guide is guaranteed to prepare you for a memorable hike through these cherished parks!  

Have some great national park photos from your summer adventures? Enter them in the 2012 Share the Experience photo contest! The annual contest, sponsored by the National Park Foundation and Active Network with support from our media partner, Destination America, is the largest national park and public land photo contest for amateur photographers.

This year, in addition to a new look and feel, there are even more opportunities to win! The three top winners will be awarded CASH prizes and the grand prize winner will have their photo showcased on the 2014 Annual Federal Recreational Lands Pass! Winners in other categories, such as Fan Favorite, Wildlife or Adventure, will receive hotel stays from Historic Hotels of America. In addition, weekly winners will be selected.

You are the part-owner of 84 million acres of the world's most treasured landscapes, ecosystems, and historical sites -
all protected in America's nearly 400 national parks. Founded by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks. We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to help connect you and all Americans
to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow. Join us - This Is Your Land.