by Liz Childers
National Trails Day turns 20 years old in 2012, and we can all help celebrate this weekend. The event, which is held annually on the first Saturday in June, will take place tomorrow, June 2nd.
The American Hiking Society started the event to raise trail awareness. Through National Trails Day, the Society hopes to encourage people to discover their local trails and take part in the exciting outdoors that can be experienced through hikes.
Every year has a theme that serves as a starting point for event planning. For instance, the theme of 2010 was “Find Your Happy Place.” Participants were encouraged to enjoy the part of the trail that is most important to them. This catchall theme meant trail-lovers should picnic at a mountain peak at the top of a trailhead or pitch a camping tent at a campsite – whatever was most enjoyable!
The theme for 2012 is “America’s Largest Trailgating Party!” This joyfully embraces the 20th anniversary of the event and is an encouragement to get all your friends and family involved for the day.
If you want to participate in a local event, check the listing here. Don’t see an event in your area or you don’t like the event that is taking place? That’s not a problem. Just head to your local trail to enjoy whatever you love most about the outdoors.
For all the Boy Scouts out there, the Scouts have teamed up with the American Hiking Society to create a special patch for the event. The BSA is encouraging troops to get involved in the day.
