Fun Holidays: June 2 Is National Trails Day®

American Hiking Society (AHS) and the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) are proud to announce the 2012 joint commitment to promote trail stewardship by offering a variety of exciting opportunities for Scouts and other individuals to give back to public lands across the country. “Trail stewardship and youth outdoor engagement are fundamental to each organization’s mission,” says Gregory Miller, president of American Hiking Society. “We are thrilled to continue our steadfast partnership with the Boy Scouts of America to engage youth and families in America’s great outdoors and to preserve and protect hiking trails nationwide.”

On June 2, 2012, thousands of outdoor enthusiasts across all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; and Puerto Rico will participate in American Hiking Society’s 20th annual National Trails Day®—America’s largest trails celebration. More than 2,000 NTD events will take place around the country to celebrate and protect our magnificent and growing trail system. Events will include trail maintenance projects, hikes, paddle trips, bike and horseback rides, wildlife viewing activities, trail dedications, and much more.

The BSA and AHS have also teamed up to offer an exclusive volunteer vacation opportunity in September to ”Get Out and Give Back” at Philmont Scout Ranch, the BSA’s largest high-adventure base, located in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of northeast New Mexico. Open to Boy Scouts, Boy Scout alumni, and Boy Scout affiliates, this week of trail building will provide volunteers with exclusive access to an unforgettable backcountry adventure, pristine hiking, and camaraderie from fellow crew members.

In commemoration of NTD’s 20^th anniversary, the BSA is issuing a collectable NTD patch that is available to all Scouts and Scouters who will be participating in an NTD event anytime in 2012. The BSA and AHS encourage all Scouts to schedule or participate in an NTD event and to be sure to wear the custom NTD patch to show the world their commitment to trail stewardship and sustainability.

“For years, it has been our purpose to enjoy the outdoors as well as to be its stewards,” notes Keith Christopher, manager of the Properties/General Services Department with the Boy Scouts of America. “To be a part of something larger than us is something that greatness hinges upon.”

The Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society, is passionate about offering Scouts and Scouters more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and wants to build on its major outdoor service programs, ArrowCorps⁵ and SummitCorps—The New River Experience. As a result, the BSA and the Order of the Arrow will place special emphasis on the importance of trail stewardship and Scout participation in National Trails Day on June 2 and throughout the year.

 About the American Hiking Society

Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas, and the hiking experience.  Please visit www.AmericanHiking.org

About the Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.™” The Scouting organization is composed of 2.7 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 21 and more than a million volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.scouting.org.

History

National Trails Day^® is a celebration of trails that evolved from the report of President Ronald Reagan’s President’s Commission on Americans Outdoors. In 1987, the report recommended that all Americans be able to go out their front doors and within fifteen minutes, be on trails that wind through their cities or towns and bring them back without retracing steps. The recommendation, dubbed Trails for All Americans, became the impetus behind several public and private parties joining American Hiking Society in launching National Trails Day^® in 1993.

Enjoyment for All

Trails do not just magically appear for our enjoyment; it takes many hours of planning, labor, and negotiating to develop them. National Trails Day^®, the only nationwide celebration of trails, increases awareness about trails and celebrates the hard work and support of many people and partners — including volunteers, land agencies, and outdoor minded businesses. It is also a day to introduce people to the many joys and benefits of trails.

America’s 200,000 miles of trails allow us access to the natural world for recreation, education, exploration, solitude, inspiration, and much more. Trails take us to good physical and mental health by providing us with a chance to breathe fresh air, get our hearts pumping, and escape from ouNational Trails Day^® events involve a broad array of activities, including hiking, dog walking, bike riding, trail maintenance, birding, wildlife photography, geocaching, paddle trips, trail running, trail dedications, health-focused programs, and children’s activities.  Whatever you like to do outdoors, there is bound to be an event to fit your interests.  If you don’t find the type of event you want, then plan it yourself — and be sure to register stresses.

Since 1993, National Trails Day^® has grown to inspire many thousands of people to enjoy trails on the same day nationwide. All 50 states have had events, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Guam and the Virgin Islands. National Trails Day^® is now a permanent fixture on the calendars of trail clubs, businesses, and government agencies. Hundreds of thousands of people now have a greater awareness of trails through a wide variety of NTD events — including trail dedications, hikes, bike and horse rides, paddle trips, trail maintenance, and many other activities. Event hosts have included local hiking clubs, federal agencies, municipal parks, retailers, land trusts, and many other businesses and organizations.

Statistics for 2011:  2,063 events; 330,000 participants;7,626 miles hiked/biked; 799 trail projects completed; 188,833 volunteer hours invested, worth $4 million in labor.  

Partnerships

National Trails Day^® is made possible thanks to the volunteer efforts of American Hiking Society’s individual and Alliance members as well as by the generous support of our sponsors – Milk-Bone Trail Mix, The North Face, Adventure Medical Kits, Merrell, Columbia and Gerber.  Also to our supporters Backpacker magazine, Eastern Mountain Sports, REI, YMCA of the USA, American Park Network, and The Boy Scouts of America. Thanks also to Federal Partners – Bureau of Land Management, Federal Highway Administration, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Trail Asssistance Offered

Need help with your local trails efforts? American Hiking’s National Trails Fund  is the only national private grants program that helps trail-maintaining organizations across the United States build and improves hiking trails.  http://www.americanhiking.org/Our-Work/National-Trails-Fund/

How to get Involved

American Hiking Society is your voice in Washington, DC!  Learn about public policy and legislative initiatives that affect your hiking experience. http://www.americanhiking.org/Our-Work/Policy-Advocacy/

Info Partially REPOSTED (Courtesy of American Hiking.org)