One great month
June loaded with outdoor fun
In my book, June has always been a great month in the outdoors. No matter what happens in the spring, June is the month when everything finally comes together for warm-weather activities.
The hiking, biking, camping, fishing and simply hanging out by a fire doesn’t get much better than in June.
Apparently, great minds think alike.
Monday, President Barack Obama declared June as Great Outdoors Month.
OK, one great mind and one sorta mediocre mind. I’ll let you decide which is which based on your political persuasion.
One thing is clear, though, June is one great outdoor month.
In his proclamation, Obama hails the virtues of our country’s natural beauty, tranquil and pristine surroundings of the National Parks, the recreational opportunities on public lands, the treasured landscapes, and the joys and wonders of the outdoors.
“I encourage Americans to pay tribute to and preserve the great outdoors,” the proclamation reads. “Whether near or far, the outdoors offers unique experiences.”
Now he’s preaching to the choir.
“Americans are fortunate to have so many beautiful natural wonders and open spaces,” the proclamation reads. “I encourage all in our Nation to enjoy these resources and to help protect them for future generations. Together, we can carry forward our Nation’s proud tradition of admiration and preservation of the great outdoors.”
Hallelujah!
OK, I’m calming down.
Have I mentioned that I love June?
It makes sense that June was chosen to host National Trails Day, National Get Outdoors Day, National Fishing and Boating Week, the Great American Backyard Campout, and even Vermont Days, which celebrates the Green Mountain State’s parks and historical sites.
It’s a full month of celebrating, but someone has to do it. I could sure use some help, though. So, dig out your hiking books, check the air in the tires of that bike, put new line on your rod and reel, set up the tent in the backyard and let’s get ready to have some fun.
The fun starts Saturday with National Trails Day as well as National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs through June 14.
National Get Outdoors Day is June 13, the Great American Backyard Campout is June 27 and Vermont Days is June 13-14.
National Trails Day is an American Hiking Society’s program to bring awareness to public trails and the volunteers who help take care of them.
There are many activities throughout Vermont in celebration of National Trails Day on Saturday.
The Green Mountain Club’s Killington Section will hold a Long Trail maintenance work day in Killington. Anyone interested in putting in a day giving back to Vermont’s famous trail should meet in Rutland’s Main Street Park near the fire station at 9 a.m.
Bring gloves, lunch and bug dope. Tools will be provided.
For more information contact Herb Ogden at 293-2510.
The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park will host a Trek to Taste from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Forest Center.
The free event offers hikes, food, music, an ice-cream social, trail stewardship information, exhibits and samples from the Upper Valley Farm to School programs and more.
For information, log on to www.walkwoodstock.com
In Quechee, the Friends of the Ottauquechee Trail is holding a dedication ceremony for a new village trail along with music, children’s discovery activities and refreshments.
The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Stronghouse Spa with a two-mile, easy-to-moderate trail leading to Lake Pinneo and the Quechee Lakes Landowners Association clubhouse.
For more information, call 295-6718 or e-mail mgmtaylor@earthlink.net.
The Upper Valley Trails Alliance is holding work days throughout the area.
For details on work planned near you, log on to www.uvtrails.org.
For more information, call 649-9075, or e-mail russell.hirschler@uvtrails.org.
Two National Trails Day events will be held on days other than Saturday.
The Wilmington Trail Committee is planning a two-mile hike and trail dedication ceremony for the Deerfield Valley Trail System from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the town center.
There will be a nature scavenger hunt for the kids and picnic in the park.
For more information, call 464-4674 or e-mail kkurak70@yahoo.com
The U.S. Forest Service is hosting a trail maintenance day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 20 in the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area near Goshen.
Bring a lunch, water and appropriate clothing. At the end of the day there will be a barbecue to celebrate the day’s work.
For more information, call 247-6735, or log on to www.moosalamoo.org
After all that work, get home and rest up, because the fun continues June 13 with National Get Outdoors Day.
The Green Mountain National Forest is hosting two events to celebrate the day.
The first event is at the Moosalamoo Campground in Goshen.
Beginning at 10 a.m. visitors can view demonstrations about setting up tents, cooking over a campfire, and what types of stoves to use.
Hikers will talk about hiking shoes and lead families on a hike.
“We are really making an effort to help families make the most of getting outdoors,” said Green Mountain National Forest Supervisor Meg Mitchell. “Many families may not know how to get started in outdoor activities, what to buy, or what is recommended.”
That same day at 10 a.m. there will be fishing demonstrations with information about fishing gear at Hapgood Pond near Peru. You will also be able to learn about camping and hiking.
For more information, contact Kathleen Diehl at 747-6709.
The National Wildlife Federation is getting in on the outdoor fun in June with the fifth annual Great American Backyard Campout on June 27.
A recent poll shows that families are planning to stay closer to home this summer and camping is a low-cost, family activity that allows parents and kids to reconnect and make lifetime memories.
There are already tens of thousands of people registered for the campout,
“President Obama’s proclamation recognizes the many benefits of connecting with nature and exploring the wonders of the natural world around us,” said Kevin Coyle of the National Wildlife Federation. “We think every month should be Great Outdoors Month with families getting outside year-round to enjoy exercise, nature exploration, and bonding time.”
The organization’s Web site offers ideas for the campout, along with recipes, activities, campfire songs and more.
Vermont Days will be celebrated June 13-14 with free fishing June 13 and free admission to Vermont State Parks and historic sites both days.
So, start planning now. There is no excuse for not stepping outside this month. But be careful. You might just find you like it.
June will never be the same.
Darren Marcy is a local outdoor enthusiast. His Web site is www.DarrenMarcy.com. E-mail him at darren@darrenmarcy.com.
Need more information?
National Trails Day - www.americanhiking.org/ntd.aspx
National Get Outdoors Day - www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org
National Fishing and Boating Wee - www.TakeMeFishing.org
Great American Backyard Campout - www.nwf.org/backyardcampout
Vermont Days - www.vermontdays.vermont.gov