Western Governors Looking for Youth to be Outdoor Recreation Advocates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2012

Contacts:
Chris McKinnon (WGA) 303-623-9378 ext. 122
Stasia Raines, Outdoor Nation,  619-957-9891

DENVER -- The Governors of Idaho, Colorado and South Dakota are looking for a few good young men and women who are passionate about outdoor recreation to apply for the position of Governor's outreach advocate within their respective states.

The Western Governors' Association and Outdoor Nation created the Youth Outdoor Recreation Outreach Coordinator (YOuROC) pilot project in June.  Governors John Hickenlooper (Colo.), Butch Otter (Idaho) and Dennis Daugaard (S.D.) will select the first "YOuROCers" in September.  Applications are being accepted now.

"Kids today have more options for their free time than we did growing up, including technologies that have given them new tools to learn and explore," Hickenlooper said.  "But you can't truly experience a state park or beautiful natural area until you actually go there and get dirty."

"These young people - we call them YOuROCers -- will utilize social media to highlight unique outdoor spaces in their states while encouraging their peers to get outside and be active," said Chris Fanning, Executive Director of The Outdoor Foundation, the organization that created Outdoor Nation.

Each Coordinator will develop an outreach campaign, leveraging social media, to promote the best, most interesting outdoor opportunities in their states to encourage young people and families with kids to get outdoors and be active.  Applicants should be between the ages of 18 and 25 and live or attend school in Colorado, Idaho or South Dakota.  

For more information and to apply go to: http://www.outdoornation.org/youroccoordinator or call Ivan Levin with Outdoor Nation at 540-818-5818.

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