Summit County Citizens Voice

July 23 ‘Summer Fun Day’ is open to the community

Two Colorado youngsters enjoy the outdoors at Summit Lake, near Mt. Evans.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Youngsters from around the Rocky Mountain West who love to play outside — and are fired up about getting their peers about the outdoors — will gather July 23 in Denver’s Cherry Creek Park as part of the Outdoor Nation’s Youth Summit.

“You might take for granted that youth from the Rocky Mountain West have a solid connection to the outdoors, but that isn’t always the case,” said Outdoor Nation Ambassador Kimberly Banzhaf.  “We’re excited to plant the Outdoor Nation flag in Cherry Creek State Park and to find ways that our generation can ensure that our outdoor spaces are appreciated and enjoyed by the youth of today and for generations to come.”

Co-hosted with Colorado State Parks, with generous financial support provided by the national presenting sponsors The North Face, REI Foundation and the Conservation Fund, the three-day event will convene 250 passionate ‘Outsiders’ from across the region. Their mission together is to empower a new generation of outdoor leaders to develop and undertake projects that address regional barriers currently limiting outdoor participation — ultimately engaging millions of more young people in the outdoors.

Youth leaders interested in participating can apply online through Outdoor Nation’s new community website at www.OutdoorNation.org. Delegates must be 18 years of age and must provide their own transportation to and from the Summit. Outdoor Nation will make arrangements for and cover the costs of food and lodging during the event.

The Denver Summit will be held within Cherry Creek State Park, a popular urban park often thought of as “Denver’s backyard,” with recreation opportunities including hiking, camping, fishing, swimming and horseback riding.  Delegates will have the backdrop of the Rocky Mountain foothills to inspire their work and at night they will camp under the stars.

“We’re thrilled to welcome youth from around the Rocky Mountain region for this event. What a great opportunity for young adults passionate about the outdoors to put ideas into action,” said Cherry Creek Park Manager Tim Metzger.

Outdoor Nation wouldn’t have the appeal that it does with the millennial generation if it was all work and no play. On Saturday, July 23 Outdoor Nation and Colorado State Parks will co-host a Summer Fun Day event Cherry Creek State Park to give everyone the chance to participate in Outdoor Nation.  Summer Fun Day is open to the community and is expected to attract thousands of local residents.

The 2011 Outdoor Nation Summer Summit Series will convene more than 1300 youth leaders in New York City, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver and San Francisco from June 23 through July 31, 2011.

The 2011 Outdoor Nation Summer Summit Series is being presented by The North Face, REI Foundation, and The Conservation Fund and is supported by many other notable organizations including Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, America’s State Parks and the National Park Service, Merrell, Play Outdoors, SmartWool, Mountain Hardwear, Eastern Mountain Sports, Johnson and Johnson, CIGNA, The Presidio Trust, Clark Atlanta University, The Crissy Field Center, The Mississippi River Fund and more than 100 invested organizations from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Filed under: boating, camping, Colorado, Colorado State Parks, Environment, hiking, recreation Tagged: | Cherry Creek State Park, Colorado State Parks, Denver, Outdoor Nation, Summit County Colorado, Summit County News, youth outdoor movement