Get Outside for Earth Day and National Park Week

Sunday—April 22—is a big day for outdoors-loving families.

For starters, it’s Earth Day, the day to celebrate the rock on which we live. It also happens to be the beginning of National Park Week, a full week of free admission to all 397 parks, monuments and historic sites in the National Park system.

With this in mind, of course, it’s the perfect opportunity to get out with the family and experience the great outdoors.

The National Park Service has organized literally thousands of events all over the country—everything from family-friendly seminars and guided hikes to environment-themed arts-and-crafts sessions. The best place to check for programs at parks, monuments and historic sites in your area is here.

As for us Villanos, we likely will be driving out to Yosemite National Park this weekend to (check out some wildflowers and waterfalls, and) participate in some of the programs there.

You don’t have to drive (or fly!) too far to get involved; regional, state and local organizations are offering Earth Day activities too. The Earth Day Network offers a fantastic clearinghouse for Earth Day events; the site suggests events based upon your location by IP address, but you can search for events just about anywhere.

To what extent are you planning to travel and celebrate Earth Day? Share your plans in the comment field below.