NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
June 29, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 287
Contact: Ray Bivens, Chief of Programming, 302-739-9220; Dawn Morris, Marketing Director, 302-739-9937; or Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9175, Necia.Beck@state.de.us
Delaware State Parks Announces
Revamped Trail Challenge Program
DOVER – In a continuing effort to provide inexpensive, accessible outdoor recreation opportunities for children and families, Delaware State Parks has updated its popular Trail Challenge program. The new program features different levels of participation to win awards and be entered into prize drawings.
Participants in the Trail Challenge program hike trails in designated state parks throughout Delaware. When five, 10 or 15 trails have been completed, the hiker will submit a registration form with the trail name, date completed and trail symbol. Hikers completing five trails will receive the Explorer Award; those completing 10 trails receive the Advanced Hiker Award, and the Expert Hiker Award goes to participants who complete all 15 trails.
In addition, registration forms postmarked by Dec. 31 will be entered into a drawing for a first place prize of a five-day, four-night stay in any Louisiana State Park cabin plus $800 travel allowance. The second prize is a four-day, three-night stay in a cabin in Janes Island State Park, Crisfield, Md., plus $600 travel allowance; and the third prize is a three-day, two-night stay in a cabin in Trap Pond State Park in Laurel, Del., plus $400 travel expense.
Delaware State Parks has partnered with Nemours Health and Prevention Service’s 5-2-1 Almost None program to offer the new program. Each participant will receive a certificate, a trail challenge patch, as well as a pedometer courtesy of Nemours.
Both partners are actively involved in promoting outdoor recreation. According to Ray Bivens, Chief of Programming for Delaware State Parks, “Children in Delaware spend an average of 44 hours per week watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the internet. It is my hope that this great program and these prizes will give families more reasons to spend time together exploring our parks and enjoying Delaware’s natural resources while living a healthy lifestyle.”
The new Trail Challenge program begins July 1, 2009. Delaware State Parks will honor the current program for one year. Information about the Delaware State Parks Trail Challenge program, including trail locations and distance and registration form is available at www.destateparks.com/trail-challenge, or by calling 302-739-9220.
