Celebrate National Park Week ~ Fun Facts & Events

Did you know that it’s National Park Week?  Coinciding nicely with Earth Day, the National Park Service and National Park Foundation have pulled together an entire week of celebration, including fun events and activities for your family to participate in.

And to kick off the party, there will be fee-free National Park entrance days on Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20!

“Go Wild” for National Park Week 2014!

During the week of April 19-27th, 2014, be sure to visit your local national park for special events.  Here are a few of the festivities to check out… 9 great days, 9 great ways for you and your family to “Go Wild!” for America’s National Parks:

• Go wild for bears. This year the National Park Foundation has teamed with Disney on the new Disneynature film, “Bears,” premiering just in time for Earth Day and National Park Week on Friday, April 18. For every ticket sold during “Bears” opening week, April 18-24, Disneynature will make a contribution to the National Park Foundation to protect wildlife and wild places across America’s National Park System.
• Go wild for Junior Ranger Day.  On April 26, young visitors can celebrate National Junior Ranger Day by taking part in special family-friendly activities.
• Go wild for a walk in a park. More than 100 free, ranger-led walks are offered during National Park Week. Hike to a cloud forest, take a sunset stroll, wander through John F. Kennedy’s neighborhood, and more.
• Go wild for Earth Day. Tour John Muir’s house in California and take part in a combined John Muir Birthday/Earth Day Celebration with music, food, and family-friendly events.
• Go wild for Hawaiian culture. Experience first-hand the traditions of Hawaiian sailing and Hawaiian crafts! Join a sailing expert guide for a ride on a double-hulled canoe and learn interesting tidbits about Hawaiian sailing techniques, history, and culture. Immerse yourself in Hawaiian crafts such as lauhala weaving, coconut leaf weaving, and lei making.
• Go wild for Patriot’s Day. Commemorate the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War with parades, reenactments, and special ceremonies in Massachusetts.
• Go wild for waterfalls. Take the Whiskeytown Waterfall Challenge at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in beautiful northern California and hike to Brandy Creek, Boulder Creek, Crystal Creek and Whiskeytown Falls!
• Go wild for national park road trips. Enjoy a self-guided tour to historic places, most of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Each trip takes you to a variety of places significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture.
• Go wild for wildflowers. Spring has sprung and it is the perfect time to see nature in all of its colorful glory in parks across the country. Parks including the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and Cumberland Gap and Mammoth Cave in Kentucky will have wildflower walks and talks.

There is additional information, and even some great video clips on the National Park Week website.  Using these resources, visitors can plan adventures, share national park photos, videos, and tips, and learn about all the ways to help support national parks.

National Park Week ~ “Go Wild” With Fun Facts

I love this beautiful infographic, filled with interesting fun facts about nature.  Take a look, pin it, and share it with your kids.  🙂  Let’s all help share the love of, and appreciation for, our National Parks this week!