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If I knew nothing about Rex Maughan and Derrick Crandall, the appended article from the American Recreation Coalition's website might only have made me feel slightly nauseous. Knowing the actual harm these two individuals and their respective companies have inflicted upon the National Park System, the harm they continue to inflict, and are attempting to inflict, made it difficult to read this article without feeling a need to actually puke.
What is described below has a lot less to do with introducing children to nature than with industry's attempt to sell to kids it's particular brand of Disneyfied wreckreation -- along with the products, goods and services required to consume that brand.
The DOI, NPS, BLM, USFS are all co-sponsors of this upcoming ARC/Forever-Resorts event. To learn the nauseating details, download this brochure from their website. If that doesn't enough to evoke the gag response, learn more about the players putting on this event. You can easiest do so by using the search tools provided on Wild Wilderness' website.
I'll just add that the land-management agencies have been sucked into the wreckreation industry's orbit. This isn't an example of "partnership". The agencies aren't partners. They are mere satellites orbiting entirely within the industry's influence. Industry calls the tunes and the agencies pipe along.
Scott
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Outdoor Recreation Village 2008 in Glendale Will Highlight Excitement and Benefits of Active Outdoor Lives
Washington D.C. (December 20, 2007) - America’s wonderfully diverse
outdoor recreation opportunities will be showcased and celebrated at
the Outdoor Recreation Village from January 31 to February 3, 2008, at
Westgate City Center (Glendale, AZ) in conjunction with the Big Game.
The outdoors will be on display through the efforts of the American
Recreation Coalition (ARC) and dozens of partners ranging from federal
agencies which manage one-third of the surface of the nation to key
recreation businesses, including Forever Resorts, LLC and The Coleman
Company.
Visitors to the Outdoor Recreation Village can wander from
“neighborhood” to “neighborhood” checking out all of the exciting
recreation activities. A center stage will host special demonstrations
by a diverse group of presenters, including the Arizona WOW-Wonderful
Outdoor World campers. These inner-city youth will share their
experiences of an overnight camp-out in the heart of their community
which opened their eyes to healthy outdoor fun that is available on
public lands across the nation.
One neighborhood is labeled “Get Outdoors Opportunities.” This area
will showcase trails, byways, campgrounds and more. Visitors will learn
how easy it is to use the Internet to find great places to go and even
make reservations at campgrounds and for special tours and programs.
Another neighborhood ,“Get Outdoors Initiatives,” will tell the story
of public-private efforts that encourage more active, healthy
lifestyles, including Get Outdoors USA! and Get Outdoors Day. A third
neighborhood will highlight “Get Outdoors Technologies,” offering new
ways to enjoy the outdoors with hand-held GPS units that are at the
heart of geocaching and to learn about the outdoors with Pocket Rangers
and more. Government agencies and recreation organizations will work
together in the Village just as they do in the Great Outdoors.
“This is an exciting opportunity allowing families and youth to
discover the countless recreational choices we have to enjoy in the
great outdoors,” stated Rex Maughan, President of Forever Resorts.
“This is one of the reasons we refer to our mosaic of parks and forests
and lakes and refuges as the great outdoors,” said Mr. Maughan.
Visitors to the Outdoor Recreation Village will feel the spirit of the
outdoors thanks to product displays by Forever, Coleman, Airstream and
other companies. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, and
the National Marine Manufacturers Association and other industry
leaders are also lending their strong support for this unique
interactive recreation event with boating and fishing simulators and
systems that unlock the secrets of the best boating and fishing spots.
ARC President Derrick Crandall explained, “Our guests can sample
high-tech activities like geocaching, get information on planning
visits to the one-third of the nation managed by federal agencies like
the National Park Service, try out fishing and boating simulators, tour
a luxury Forever houseboat and more. We’ll also invite people to come
by to sign up to be a junior ranger or a Take Pride in America
volunteer, to find out about Pocket Rangers – and download free
podcasts about exciting places to see outdoors. And we’ll also have
some celebrities with us.”
For more information, go to www.foreveroutdoorvillage.com
About Get Outdoors USA! Get Outdoors USA! is a national movement
dedicated to helping children live healthy, active outdoor lives.
Through outdoor activity children receive benefits of mind, body and
spirit and are able to experience the national treasures that belong to
all Americans. The American Recreation Coalition launched Get Outdoors
USA! in April 2007. More information about the organization is
available at www.getoutdoorsusa.com
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