Bass Pro Shops Get Outdoors Events

Springfield, Missouri Ask any adult what they remember best about childhood and chances are they will recall riding their bikes, building forts and tree houses and generally playing outdoors until after dark. Kids were connected-to each other, their family and the outdoors. And, according to several studies, they were physically and emotionally healthier. Information taken from The Conservation Fund website at http://www.conservationfund.org/children-nature states that researchers suggest “that the decline in children’s health is linked, in part, to their growing disconnect from nature and outdoor activity.”

Much national attention is being paid to this dilemma-so much that in early 2011 a report entitled “America’s Great Outdoors: A Promise to Future Generations” was released that was part of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative. It’s an effort to reconnect Americans to the outdoors. A 2012 Progress Report was produced that included the statement “With childhood obesity rates that have tripled in the past three decades, we must ensure that our children can easily and regularly experience activities outside.” (America’s Great Outdoors Report 2012)

Bass Pro Shops has long recognized the short and long term benefits for kids and adults being involved in the outdoors. Their Go Outdoors Event was developed as a way to give families the opportunity to learn all of the outdoor skills needed to make their next outdoor adventure a great one and to reconnect with each other in the beauty of the great outdoors. This year’s Bass Pro Shops Go Outdoors Event will take place at 54 store locations in the United States May 17-27. (Branson, MO, Miami, FL and Islamorada FL will not have the Go Outdoors event)

New, exciting, free events and activities for adults and kids at the stores include Geocaching classes, canoe and kayak demonstrations, casting contests, rock climbing walls, kid’s crafts, outdoor skills workshops, Dutch oven cooking, outdoor survival training and much, much more. There’s even the opportunity to get a great FREE 4×6 photo download. (Some event features will vary per store. Please visit www.basspro.com/gooutdoors beginning May 6 and select individual store location for events listing.)

The Go Outdoors event offers great Summer Fun Seminars for adults May 18th – 19th.

Saturday, May 18th and Sunday, May 19th:
• 11:30am and 3:30pm: Wear It Right! – In cooperation with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, learn the 5 important steps of selecting and fitting a life jacket. Seminar attendees will be entered for a chance to win a life jacket.
• Noon-5pm: Cooking Demos – Enjoy a variety of free cooking demonstrations.
• 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm – Attend a Bear Grylls-inspired Priorities of a Survival Seminar. In cooperation with Bear Grylls and Gerber® Bass Pro Shops experts will provide survival tips and protection techniques when faced with imminent danger from the elements, animals or other hazards. This seminar will also be available Saturday and Sunday, May 25th and 26th. (Note: this seminar does NOT include an appearance by Bear Grylls)
• 1:30pm and 4pm: Geocaching 101 — Store experts will teach you the basics of Geocaching enabling you to have fun with friends and family. Seminar attendees will be entered for a chance to win a Geomate, jr GPS unit.

The Go Outdoors event also includes free activities, seminars and crafts for kids, Memorial Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 25th and 26th. You can get a FREE photo download, plus, kids who complete the activities will receive a free Bass Pro Shops flashing clip and a Go Outdoors Certificate of Completion (while supplies last.)

Saturday, May 25th and Sunday, May 26th:
• 11am – 4pm: New Bass Pro Shops®/Daisy® Shooting Range – Kids can test their skills in the new BB gun shooting range.
• 11am – 4pm: Metal Detector Treasure Hunt – Kids can search for zinc arrowheads with Bass Pro Shops metal detector. Enter for a chance to win a Bounty Hunter® Metal Detector that will be given away at 10:30am Saturday. (Must be 18 years or older to win)
• 11am – 4pm: Adventure Scavenger Hunt – Kids can go on a Scavenger Hunt throughout the store and find conservation or wildlife items. Locate them all and win a free prize (while supplies last)
• 11am and 2pm: Safe Passage – In cooperation with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, kids can learn valuable tips on staying safe around water.
• Noon – 4pm: Kids’ Craft – Kids can decorate their own water bottle
• 1:30pm and 3:30pm: Kids’ Geocaching – Kids will learn the basics of Geocaching and have fun-indoors or out!

“Adults who enjoy outdoor activities today, probably learned them as a kid,” said Katie Mitchell, Bass Pro Shops Manager of Communications. You don’t need to travel a great deal of distance or spend a lot of money to have fun. “The outdoors is as close as your own backyard,” said Mitchell.

While at Bass Pro Shops, register to win the “Oakley/GoPro Prize Package.” One National Grand Prize will be awarded to one winner who will win a trip to the U.S. Open Surfing Event in Huntington Beach, CA. The prize package also includes airfare and hotel accommodations, as well as one pair of Oakley® Flak Jacket® sunglasses and one GoPRo® HERO3 Black Edition camera. Approximate retail value of the prize is $7,000. (No purchase necessary to enter or claim prize. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia and Canada ((excluding Quebec)) who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. All federal and other tax liabilities are the sole responsibility of the winner. Sweepstakes begins on 5/17/13 and ends on 5/27/13. See store for more details.)

Each store location will also select a First Place winner who will receive a gift package of one pair of Oakley® Flak Jacket® sunglasses and one GoPRo® HERO3 Black Edition camera.

Visit Bass Pro Shops during the Go Outdoors Event, interact with your family in the great outdoors and make some memories to last a lifetime.

About Bass Pro Shops®:
Bass Pro Shops® operates 77 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 120 million people annually. Bass Pro Shops® also conducts an international catalog and internet retailing operation-the American Rod & Gun® wholesale division–which sells to more than 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide. Outdoor World® Incentives also sells Bass Pro Shops® gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America. The Bass Pro Shops® restaurant division has 28 locations. The company’s Tracker Marine Group® (www.trackerboats.com) manufactures and sells Tracker®, Nitro®, SunTracker®, Tahoe®, Grizzly® and Mako® boats through Bass Pro Shops® retail stores and over 400 dealers worldwide. The Resort Group (www.bigcedar.com) includes Big Cedar Lodge® and other resort properties including restaurants and golf courses. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops® store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.

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