Thousands of Events Planned Nationwide to Celebrate Trails Day June 2
OutdoorHub Reporters 05.31.12
National Trails Day in America is a day for recognizing, improving and of course enjoying America’s trails. In every state in the USA and Puerto Rico, there will be a wide variety of National Trails Day events. Some will build new trails, cleaning up existing ones, or organize a biking or hiking event. People of all ages are encouraged to get outside this Saturday, June 2.
The American Hiking Society has made it easy to find information about an event in your city with their search tool.
In 2009, a now-popular trail was reclaimed with the help of enthusiastic mountain biker volunteers. Their efforts were collected into a short video published on vimeo, embedded below.
Original press release issued by American Hiking Society on May 02, 2012:
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 20th 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.
