Hundreds of outdoor recreation leaders from across America will be gathering in Washington, D.C. on June 7-12 to celebrate Great Outdoors Week 2010.

Since 1996, leaders from the recreation community have gathered in Washington each June to participate in meetings and events designed to:

• Increase the visibility of outdoor recreation on the national policy-making level
• Heighten the understanding and appreciation of recreation's importance to the nation's economy, health and quality of life
• Provide an opportunity to highlight key recreation policy initiatives and programs
• Recognize outstanding leadership on behalf of outdoor recreation
• Support the efforts of the American Recreation Coalition

Topics of discussion will range from the link between recreation and health to how we can reconnect America’s youth to the outdoors, as well as partnerships and other tools (including technology) to enhance recreation resources.

Among the week’s core events for 2010 are:

• A special kick-off reception at the Patuxent National Wildlife Refuges, featuring the presentation of ARC’s Beacon Awards for innovative uses of technology in visitor services and recreation management
• The third annual National Get Outdoors Day
• Special meetings of top health and recreation agency officials with new doctors’ group the PHATFOs (Physicians for a Healthier America Through Fun Outdoors)
• The presentation of ARC’s Legends Awards to outstanding federal agency officials
• A healthy walk on the National Mall, followed by a hard-earned ice cream social featuring “celebrity scoopers”
• A special Recreation Exchange featuring Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
• National awards by the Coalition for Recreational Trails
• A fishing event for kids on the National Mall

In addition to Great Outdoors Week, several other events and activities will take place throughout June (Great Outdoors Month) to promote the importance of outdoor recreation in America.

• First Lady Michelle Obama will unveil Let's Move Outside! - a new website and a new and exciting part of her campaign to fight childhood obesity.
• The first town hall meeting under the America's Great Outdoors Initiative will take place in Helena, Montana. Announced at a White House conference on April 16, America's Great Outdoors offers us a wonderful opportunity to shape a Presidential strategy on conservation and recreation.
• On Saturday, June 5, National Trails Day will attract hundreds of thousands to volunteer projects along trails on public lands - making these trails more fun for millions!
• Saturday, June 5 marks the start of National Fishing and Boating Week, with events across the nation including free fishing opportunities.
• Saturday, June 5 is also the first day of one of Secretary Salazar's fee-free weekends in national parks and other federal recreation sites.
• The National Park Foundation and Unilever will present the Harry Yount Ranger of the Year Award.
• National Marina Day will coincide with National Get Outdoors Day on June 12. At marinas across the country - and especially at a dozen signature sites - marinas will invite families to experience time on boats and enjoy life on the shores of our rivers, lakes and oceans.
• The RV community will celebrate the centennial of recreation vehicles during June, and especially at events in Indiana during the week of June 7-11.
• Action will continue on June 19-20 at the Outdoor Nation Youth Summit in Central Park, New York City, as some 500 delegates gather to champion the outdoors and start a youth-driven outdoors movement.
• The National Wildlife Federation-led Great American Backyard Campout will encourage families to camp out in their backyards and community sites nationwide on June 26!

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