How many of us remember going, as a kid, to see the national parks? Yellowstone, Dixie, Yosemite or The Grand Tetons to name a few. And how about Cedar Breaks, Kodachrome Basin, or Bryce Canyon in Utah?
I grew up going to a handful of different national parks throughout Utah. My favorite was Capitol Reef National Park. Traveling to see these spectacular sights were an inexpensive way to take a large family on vacation! My mom taught us kids well, and we have all grown to love visiting national parks, as adults, with our own kids.
National Park Week is coming April 20-28th, 2019. The main idea for National Park Week is to bring awareness to the public and allow them to come, explore, discover, and learn the history, culture and give back to their favorite parks.
From the website www.nps.gov, we learn that, “Each April, during the presidentially-proclaimed National Park Week, we join with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, to celebrate America’s treasures.”
A variety of special programs and activities are planned throughout the country. The most exciting thing with National Park Week is the fact that all entrance fees are waived on Saturday, April 20th. In addition, there are special days during the week to give significance of the many different things you can do in a National Park and enjoy your time there!
Here’s a low-down on all the fun events you can look forward to:
On Saturday, April 20th, its National Junior Ranger Day. All kids, no matter the age, are invited to come explore, learn, protect and be part of the fun! The Junior Ranger Program teaches youth how to be part of a team, how to protect National Parks and keep them healthy.
On Sunday, April 21st is Military and Veterans Recognition Day. This is a day set aside to pay tribute to the servicemen and women, along with their families. According to www.nps.gov, “National parks and the military have strong ties gong back to the establishment of Yellowstone as the world’s first national park in 1872. The U.S. Cavalry watched over America’s national parks and did double duty, serving as the first park rangers until the National Park Service was created 44 years later.”
Monday, April 22nd is Earth Day so what better way to celebrate that special day than to come to a national park? Here, you can learn about The National Park Service’s role in earth sciences and how you can get involved as a steward of the parks. Being in nature, and enjoying the surroundings will definitely be a great way to enjoy Earth Day as well as National Park Week!
On Tuesday, April 23rd, you can learn all about Transportation Tuesday! There will be interesting information all about innovations of the past, present, and future and how they play a critical role in the satisfaction and enjoyment of our national parks. Again, from www.nps.gov we gain understanding about transportation and its connection to the national parks. “From the transcontinental railroad to the canals that forged America…in the early part of the 20th century, the great railroads promoted parks in order to entice tourists to travel out west.”
Wednesday, April 24th, is Wild Wednesday! Of course, one of the main reasons we all love to visit national parks is to see the wildlife. Count yourself lucky if you’ve seen a wolf, bear, bison, or coyote. Here, on Wild Wednesday you can explore the wilderness, wildlife and watch these animals in their natural homes. Be sure to give animals plenty of room and do not disturb them—it’s the law.
Thursday, April 25th is Throwback Thursday. Flash back to the past and learn more about the efforts to keep the nation’s historic heritage preserved throughout the parks and surrounding communities. Share your experiences on social media using the hashtag #NationalParkWeek, #ThrowbackThursday and #FindYourPark
Friday, April 26th is Friendship Friday. On this day many different organizations come together to partner with the national parks nationwide, where projects and programs are carried out.
Saturday, April 27th is B.A.R.K Ranger Day. Bringing our pets along for summer vacation can be exciting in a national park. You can learn how to have a positive experience with your pet in an environment that may be unfamiliar. B.A.R.K. stands for: B-ag your own pet’s waste, A-lways wear a leash, R-espect wildlife and K-now where you can go.
Sunday, April 28th is Park Rx Day. Doctors’ orders! Get your bike & helmet out, put on your hiking shoes—take advantage of enjoying the physical and mental health benefits offered to you in a national park.
For more information about National Park Week please visit the website www.nps.gov and celebrate together!
