The Travel Channel, the preeminent travel brand in the media landscape, will join with the National Park Foundation (NPF), the official charity of America’s national parks, in a summer-long campaign to promote America’s 397 national parks. The primary goal of this alliance is to motivate support of our national parks by inspiring Travel Channel viewers to visit these adventure-packed and history-rich destinations as well encourage volunteerism and monetary donations to NPF.
Travel Channel will support the NPF partnership via a myriad of on- and off-air initiatives positioned under the Network’s “Destination Summer” campaign. Beginning Memorial Day and continuing through September, the Network will feature 30 hours of programming that puts the spotlight on America’s national parks. In addition, on Saturday, June 9, Travel Channel will celebrate “Get Outdoors Day” with an on-air and online marketing campaign showcasing the national parks through exclusive videos, slideshows and feature articles. The Network will also post exclusive, national park-related content on its Facebook, Foursquare, Pinterest and other social media platforms. NPF will cross-promote these efforts on its website and social media platforms.
“Through this Summer partnership, the National Park Foundation and Travel Channel, will provide the Network’s passionate viewers with the best tools and information to plan the perfect national park adventures,” said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “Together, we will also highlight the most effective ways we all can support and preserve these incredible places to ensure they remain one of the most engaging travel destinations for generations to come.”
Travel Channel’s programming campaign spotlighting America’s national parks will kick off on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, with numerous series and specials including: a “Get Outdoors” stack of programming that includes back-to-back episodes of “Best Parks Ever” which features iconic national parks including Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Glacier, Great Smoky Mountains and Zion; and “Glamping,” which showcases glamorous camping in the wild. Other summer programming supporting the NPF partnership includes “Park Secrets,” the series that gives viewers everything they need to know to turn from tourist to traveler in America’s parks; and “Alaska Unleashed,” a one-hour special highlighting the best and most extreme adventures in Alaska.
A 2012 study by MMGY Global and the U.S. Travel Association found that television programming about U.S. destinations encourages domestic travel. Specifically, 61 percent of Travel Channel viewers reported conducting research to find out more about a U.S. destination featured in a TV program. Moreover, 39 percent of Travel Channel viewers said they are more likely to visit a U.S. destination after viewing a TV program on the topic.
Chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1967, NPF is founded on a legacy that began more than a century ago, when private citizens from all walks of life took action to establish and protect our national parks. Today, the foundation carries on that tradition as the only national nonprofit whose sole mission is to directly support the National Park Service.
Travel Channel is one of six popular television brands within the Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI) lifestyle media portfolio, which also includes Food Network and HGTV. SNI is committed to its corporate social responsibility program, serving as a positive force for change by focusing on one meal, one home and one community at a time through its Change the World initiatives. Travel Channel’s robust summer-long partnership with the National Park Foundation builds on more than $2.5 million in support that SNI has given to the Friends of the Smokies organization over the past several years to help protect and preserve the Great Smoky Mountains National Park located near SNI headquarters in Knoxville, Tenn. To learn more about all of SNI’s corporate social responsibility efforts, visit snichangetheworld.com.
Jeff
Hiking Trails in the Smokies
Archive for the ‘Friends of the Smokies’ Category
Travel Channel Partners with NPF for “Destination Summer” campaign
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012Classic Hikes of the Smokies: June
Monday, May 21st, 2012
The Friends of the Smokies Classic Hikes of the Smokies series continues next month with a hike along the Appalachian Trail and out to Andrews Bald.
Thursday, June 21: A.T. and Andrews Bald
7.2 miles, 1,600 ft ascent
We'll drop some cars at the Clingmans Dome Parking lot and drive back to the intersection with the Fork Ridge Trail. We'll walk up to Mt. Collins and to Clingmans Dome on the A.T. This section is also the start of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Then to Andrews Bald to see the marvelous rehabilitation of this trail by our Trails Forever Crew. We'll finish with a stop at the Clingmans Dome Information Center. Bring your Friends of the Smokies card and your NPS passport for a unique stamp.
To register email Hannah Epperson at hannah@friendsofthesmokies.org or call (828) 452-0720.
A donation of $35 to go to the Friends’ Smokies Trails Forever program is requested, and includes a complimentary membership to Friends of the Smokies. A donation of $10 is requested from current Friends of the Smokies members. Members who bring a friend hike for free.
For more information on the hike to Andrews Bald, please click here.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Thursday, June 21: A.T. and Andrews Bald
7.2 miles, 1,600 ft ascent
To register email Hannah Epperson at hannah@friendsofthesmokies.org or call (828) 452-0720.
A donation of $35 to go to the Friends’ Smokies Trails Forever program is requested, and includes a complimentary membership to Friends of the Smokies. A donation of $10 is requested from current Friends of the Smokies members. Members who bring a friend hike for free.
For more information on the hike to Andrews Bald, please click here.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Friends Favorite Hikes in the Smokies
Saturday, April 7th, 2012
More than 800 miles of trails await your exploration in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. But where to start? What to bring? And what about those bears? Those questions and many more will be answered at a free presentation offered by the Friends of the Smokies at REI.
From a leisurely stroll along the Oconaluftee River to a two night backpack along the Apalachian Trail, Friends of the Smokies' adventurous panel is comprised of experts on the great variety of trails in the Smokies - including members of the 900 Miler Club, who have hiked every trail in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. They will give you the inside scoop on how to prepare, how to get there, and what to expect so you can have fun.
This panel discussion will be held on 4/25/2012, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. at the REI in Asheville. For more information, and to register, please click here.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
From a leisurely stroll along the Oconaluftee River to a two night backpack along the Apalachian Trail, Friends of the Smokies' adventurous panel is comprised of experts on the great variety of trails in the Smokies - including members of the 900 Miler Club, who have hiked every trail in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. They will give you the inside scoop on how to prepare, how to get there, and what to expect so you can have fun.
This panel discussion will be held on 4/25/2012, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. at the REI in Asheville. For more information, and to register, please click here.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
FOTS Classic Hikes of the NC Smokies: Boogerman Trail
Saturday, March 31st, 2012
The Friends of the Smokies "Classic Hikes of the Smokies" series continues next month with a hike on the Boogerman Trail. The 8.6-mile hike will features streams, big trees, artifacts and history.
Learn how the Boogerman Loop got its unique name, walk along old stone walls that once protected gardens and home sites, and visit towering hemlock and tulip trees on the next guided hike with Friends of the Smokies. Mountain streams, an old wagon wheel and spring wildflowers await participants of this Classic Hike of the Smokies. Hiking enthusiast and author Danny Bernstein (Hiking North Carolina's Blue Ridge Heritage) will lead this 8.6 mile hike along the Boogerman Loop, interpreting the cultural history of the area. The hike is moderate in difficulty, and has a total elevation gain of 1,800'.
To register, email Hannah Epperson at hannah@friendsofthesmokies.org or call (828) 452-0720.
For more information on hiking the Boogerman Loop, please click here.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
To register, email Hannah Epperson at hannah@friendsofthesmokies.org or call (828) 452-0720.
For more information on hiking the Boogerman Loop, please click here.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Day Hiking Basics with Friends of the Smokies
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
Join Friends of the Smokies and Blue Ridge Mountain Sports next month for an informative session on day hiking basics, local hiking groups and local hiking opportunities. The purpose is to provide knowledge of hiking fundamentals and equipment required to build confidence and ensure safety.
The seminar is free and includes light refreshments, handouts, and discussion of equipment.
The event will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2012, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., at:
Blue Ridge Mountain Sports - Farragut
11537 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN
For more information and to register, please call Sarah Weeks at (800) 845-5665 or email her at fotssw@bellsouth.net.
Patagonia 50% Off Sale on Winter Gear!
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
The seminar is free and includes light refreshments, handouts, and discussion of equipment.
The event will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2012, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., at:
Blue Ridge Mountain Sports - Farragut
11537 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN
For more information and to register, please call Sarah Weeks at (800) 845-5665 or email her at fotssw@bellsouth.net.
Patagonia 50% Off Sale on Winter Gear!
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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