FREEPORT, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With summer right around the corner, L.L.Bean is encouraging families to discover ways to enjoy the outdoors and is launching the 2013 Outdoor Discovery Tour as a way to introduce new forms of outdoor recreation. With the help of its expert Outdoor Discovery Schools® guides, L.L.Bean hopes to show families how easy – and fun – it is to enjoy the outdoors and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. L.L.Bean’s larger-than-life Bootmobile will embark on a multi-city tour, kicking off in New York City on June 22 with free kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and fly casting instruction as part of the 9th annual Adventures NYC in Central Park.
A survey* conducted by L.L.Bean and the National Park Foundation found that according to 60% of parents, their children spend less than one hour a day outdoors. “We’re concerned that people – particularly children – are spending less time outside than ever before and losing out on the physical and mental benefits of the outdoors,” said Chris McCormick, L.L.Bean Chief Executive Officer. “With our 2013 Outdoor Discovery Tour and Outdoor Discovery Schools programming, our goal is to make the outdoors both accessible and fun, hopefully helping to instill a lifelong passion for the outdoors.”
Bootmobile Kicks Off 2013 Outdoor Discovery Tour
L.L.Bean wants to remind families that longer summer days and warmer weather provide great opportunities for families to get outside and discover something new. And outdoor adventure can be as close as your local park. After kicking off in New York, the Outdoor Discovery Tour brings outdoor adventure to Pittsburgh (June 29), Philadelphia (July 13) and Chicago (July 20), among other cities, where expert guides will demonstrate outdoor activities, promote local outdoor resources, and share their own experiences to inspire others. In Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, L.L.Bean will host an “Outdoor Discovery Day” – a day where families can try new activities like fly casting, geocaching or learn the basics of camping.
Learn Something New with L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Schools
This year, L.L.Bean is offering dozens of courses through its popular Outdoor Discovery Schools, ranging from multi-day expeditions to free clinics right in the store. Expert guides provide instruction at all levels, providing an easy and affordable way to learn more about a favorite activity or try something new for the first time. This summer there is something for everyone with activities including kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and much more. Check the calendar for a full monthly schedule at L.L.Bean store locations.
Additionally, people can search thousands of national, state and local parks using L.L.Bean’s ParkFinder tool on the company’s website to identify outdoor activities to participate in. The free Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder app, available for iPhone, iPad and Android, makes finding a hiking trail or spot for kayaking easy while on the go.
For more information on ways to get your family outside this summer with L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Schools or to see the full Bootmobile tour schedule visit www.llbean.com. L.L.Bean invites people to also join the fun on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and on the ParkFinder app. People can share their outdoor discoveries to help inspire others using #OutdoorDiscovery.
About L.L.Bean, Inc.
L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading
multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in
1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation
selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. While its business has
grown over the years, L.L.Bean still upholds the values of its founder,
including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the
outdoors. L.L.Bean products are rigorously tested, guaranteed to last
and always shipped free. In the past five years, L.L.Bean has donated
over $6 million toward conservation and land stewardship. The 200,000
sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every
year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com,
Facebook,
Twitter
and YouTube.
*Survey Methodology
This survey was designed and conducted
by KRC Research on behalf of L.L. Bean and the National Park Foundation.
Interviews were conducted by telephone between December 21, 2011 and
January 3, 2012, using random-digit dial samples, in which all land-line
households had an equal probability of being contacted. In all, 1,006
U.S. adults, age 18 and older, were interviewed. Data were weighted
slightly by age, gender, ethnicity, and region to align with the
distribution of the U.S. population as reported by the U.S. Bureau of
the Census. The estimated margin of error for the national sample is
±3.1% at the 95% confidence level.
