Celebrate the Great Outdoors this Month!

June 15, 2017

School is out and summer is here, which means kids and parents alike will be looking for ways to enjoy the warm weather in fun and exciting ways. June is National Great Outdoors Month, and Benefits.gov is sharing ideas on what you and your family can do this summer to enjoy the fresh air.
Activities like camping, hiking, swimming and biking are just a few of the many options you, your friends, and family can partake in around the U.S. this summer.
By visiting Recreation.gov, you can find in-depth information on our country’s many National Parks, make camping reservations, and see a list of outdoor activities and events.
While on Recreation.gov, we found a list of activities that may be helpful to you:

• Pitch a Tent - Reserve a campsite anywhere from destination campgrounds like Grand Canyon National Park to lesser-known gems like Maple Grove Campground on the Fishlake National Forest, to unique camping experiences that require planning and preparation like Brooks Camp in Alaska.
• Hike a Trail - Recreation.gov provides information on everything from easy day hikes with trailheads starting at the campground, to challenging wilderness routes such as the Enchantment Permit Area within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
• Whitewater Raft - These challenging trips, such as the Snake River through Hells Canyon, North America's deepest river gorge, require research, experience, advance planning, and preparation. Try the Youghiogheny for a range of experiences from beginner to advanced.
• Pack a Picnic - Reserve a popular shelter like the Appalachian Clubhouse in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a meeting or celebration, or one of the lakeside Army Corps of Engineers picnic shelters, such as lovely Buck Ridge on Henley Lake.
• Settle into a Cabin - These range from remote and rustic cabins accessible only by boat or float plane, like San Juan Bay Cabin, only by train, like Denver Caboose Cabin in Alaska, to those with more amenities like water, electricity and road access at Blue Springs Gap Cabin.

If you would like to find a way to give back to the community while still enjoying the outdoors, Greatoutdoorsmonth.org has information on volunteer events that everyone can participate in. 
National Great Outdoors Month is not only a good reason to get outside, but also an opportunity to encourage your friends and family to join you in getting active and living a healthy lifestyle.
As always, we encourage you to visit Benefits.gov and take the Benefit Finder to see which benefits you may be eligible for based on your current situation. We hope you and your family take advantage of the great outdoors this month!