Venerable Adventure Travel Company, O.A.R.S., Wants to Get Kids Off Couch and Into National Parks

May 19, 2015 - PRLog -- ANGELS CAMP, CA, – Veteran river outfitter and adventure travel company, O.A.R.S. (http://www.oars.com/), has introduced a new program to help open up the great outdoors for kids around the country. Starting this year, O.A.R.S. will donate one percent of company sales to the National Park Foundation (http://www.nationalparks.org/)—the official charity of America’s national parks—for trips operated in Arches & Canyonlands National Parks, Crater Lake National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park and for the company’s new hiking trips in Grand Canyon National Park.

“We strongly support the mission of the National Park Service to ‘preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations,’” said George Wendt, O.A.R.S. President and Founder. “By partnering with the National Park Foundation, our goal is to play a role in making park experiences possible for young people and to help them develop a passion for the outdoors.”

O.A.R.S. has committed a minimum of $50,000 through end 2016 to support the National Park Foundation’s mission to protect America’s treasured places, connect all people with parks, and inspire the next generation of park stewards.

Additionally, O.A.R.S. has committed to an in-kind donation of $95,000 in national park trips to be used in support of National Park Foundation programs, like Open OutDoors for Kids (http://www.nationalparks.org/ook), to help get underserved youth into parks.

Susan Newton, senior vice president of grants and programs for the National Park Foundation added: “Our national parks provide transformative, life-changing experiences that everyone deserves to have. As we move into the second century of the National Park Service and look to connect all people to America’s treasured places through our Find Your Park (http://www.findyourpark.com/) movement, we are grateful for O.A.R.S.’ shared commitment to engaging the next generation of park stewards.”

About O.A.R.S.

In 1969 O.A.R.S. became the first exclusively non-motorized rafting outfitter authorized by the National Park Service to run trips on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Today O.A.R.S. caters to active travelers of all ages and abilities with more than 75 unique itineraries worldwide, including one-day and weekend escapes. Each year the company contributes to regional conservation organizations around the globe via voluntary donations and annual fundraising events and in partnership with their guests, O.A.R.S. has contributed more than $3.5 million in donations and fees toward the preservation of the environment and to various conservation initiatives since the company’s inception. For more information on O.A.R.S. eco-friendly adventures visit www.oars.com, email the company at info@oars.com or call 1-800-346-6277.

O.A.R.S. is an authorized concessioner of Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon and Grand Teton National Parks, an authorized concessioner in Dinosaur National Monument and operates by special permit in Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and INSPIRE the next generation of park stewards. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.

Media Contact: Steve Markle

Phone: 209-753-4797

Email: stevem@oars.com

Web: http://www.oars.com/press.html

Follow O.A.R.S.

Twitter:          https://twitter.com/oars_rafting

Facebook:     http://www.facebook.com/OARS.rafting

YouTube:      http://www.youtube.com/user/oarsweb

Instagram:     http://instagram.com/oars_rafting

Pinterest:       https://www.pinterest.com/oarsrafting/

Blog:          http://www.oars.com/blog/