Celebrate Health With the National Park Service
- Claim your invitation to the nation’s biggest party!
- Could you take the challenge? One rural community has…
- Join the celebration at one of 411 locations. Find out how…
Dear Reader,
2016 marks the 100th birthday of the National Park Service (NPS) in the United States. To mark the celebration, national parks all over the country are hosting special centennial events and programs as a sort of nationwide birthday party.
And guess what? You’re invited!
Plus, with 411 parks in their system, you’re bound to find a national park site near you to get out and enjoy — and maybe one you’ve never seen before. I’ll share a few tips on how to find a centennial celebration near you in a moment.
Last week, Living Well Daily was able to explore New River Gorge National River park. While there, we met up with Julena Campbell, chief of interpretation and education for New River Gorge, to talk about how they are celebrating the centennial at her park.
And what we found was an amazing turnout from the local community. I’ll give you the details…
The Community’s Parks
New River Gorge National River is neighbors with two other national parks — the Gauley River National Recreation Area and the Bluestone National Scenic River.
While all three parks are technically national parks and are free to anyone who wants to visit, the surrounding communities are making the parks theirs.
Here’s how…
The park’s signature centennial celebration is a 100-mile challenge. The original goal of the challenge was to get local residents to enjoy the national parks in their own backyard and get moving by completing 100 miles of hiking in New River Gorge National River and Bluestone National Scenic River (the Gau0ley River National Recreation Area was excluded due it being a whitewater rafting site).
Participants are expected to self-report their hiking through a mileage log provided by the park. The first 100 participants who have completed the challenge receive a bracelet that commemorates their participation. All participants receive a sticker.
The first 100 participants who finished get to wear this bracelet with pride.
While Park Service officials were hopeful to get a few hundred residents to sign up through their social media sites, word of mouth, and local advertising, they never expected what happened next.
They were inundated with participants: 823 , to be exact. But this number is still growing – people are signing everyday!
Campbell explains further, “I think that most of us would’ve been happy if several hundred people said that they would participate in this challenge, so we were pleasantly surprised and really bowled over by how many people we’ve had sign up.”
With the tremendous community participation also came several questions — mostly if pets can participate.
Even though the parks did not allow pets on the trails at the beginning of the challenge, they changed their minds. Now any four-legged companion can join participants during the challenge, as long as they remain on a leash.
In fact, participants are encouraged to register their dog (or other pet) and track their miles, as they are eligible for a prize when they complete the challenge. Five dogs have completed so far, and another 23 are currently registered.
Four-legged participants get this sporty bandana
Celebrate Health
Programs like this, while not specifically designed by the National Park Service to promote health, certainly encourage people to be more active. And as I mentioned last week, West Virginia is the leading state for diabetes rates. It stands to reason that residents participating in this program are promoting their own health and taking strides against preventable diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
The National Park Service is doing its part to ensure the community has access to these healthy activities. Not only have they allowed pets, but they have also partnered with other community activity organizations — the YMCA and Active Southern West Virginia. These organizations help lead community walks for the centennial challenge.
Plus, these folks get to enjoy the natural beauty of their area!
Campbell sums this all up well:
“[The 100-mile challenge] is to get people out there — you know, the physical activity of walking, but then also the benefits of being outside in the sunshine and vitamin D and all those types of things. It’s a mood enhancer — all of the reasons that we like to be active.”
If you happen to live in the Fayetteville, West Virginia area, you can find out more information about the centennial program here.
If you would like to find a national park near you, click here. You can find more information about each park’s centennial celebration on their individual websites or check out the NPS centennial page here.
You can also find out what’s going on across the country by searching #NPS100 on all social media platforms.
Like the mentioned parks, many national parks offer free admission. Check the website for rates or call the park to find out.
If you are one of our international readers, simply do a Web search for national parks in your country to find one near you.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
P.S. Stay tuned this week! We have more exciting stories from the road coming your way. You won’t want to miss this!
[_EMBED1]
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
The Sunshine Vitamin's Surprising Heart Benefits Revealed
Most folks know that vitamin D is vital for bone health. And if you’re a regular Living Well Daily reader, you also know how critical it is for overall health. But now, incredibly, a new study has revealed something that could change how we think about the “sunshine vitamin” forever. Researchers uncovered evidence that this...
Discover How Gut Bugs Shape Your Brain Health
We’ve all experienced an intuitive “gut feeling” before. But what if I told you your gut is doing FAR more than just sending you hunches? A new study has uncovered a fascinating link between the bacteria in your digestive system and your brain health. It might just change everything we thought we knew about preventing...
Build a Stronger Immune System at Any Age
As we age our immune systems need a little extra TLC to keep us healthy and strong. But don’t worry, boosting your immunity doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some of the best immune-boosting strategies are simple habits you can incorporate into your daily routine. So, let’s dive into some tried-and-true tips...
Natural Solutions to Snoring
Regardless of whether you’re the snorer or the unfortunate bedmate, snoring is a source of stress for countless couples. The endless, rhythmic, sawing sounds can disrupt the rest of even the deepest sleepers. But before you resort to earplugs or separate bedrooms, let’s explore some natural ways to tackle snoring. Snoring isn’t just annoying. It...
Shedding New Light on Depression with this “Sunlight” Hack
You’ve likely heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This form of the blues hits as the leaves fall and the days grow shorter. Well, new research reveals that the same therapy that helps many folks battling SAD feel better could be a ray of hope for those fighting other types of depression, too. Here’s what...
Mailbag: Reverse Atherosclerosis Naturally? Science Says Yes—Here's How
“What actually reverses heart clogging?” -Heartfelt Hi Heartfelt, I have good news. We used to think reversing arterial plaque buildup or “heart clogging” was impossible, but now we know better. When my own patients ask me about atherosclerosis (the medical term for clogged arteries), I explain that—while complete reversal can be challenging—research confirms that specific...
Study Pinpoints Foods That Send Disease Risk Soaring
We’ve all heard that old saying, “You are what you eat.” Well, it’s been around for so long because it’s true. And it turns out your dinner plate could secretly stoke the fires of disease in your body. A new study revealed a shocking truth about the American diet. This time it’s not about calories...
Feast Without Fear of Packing on the Pounds
With all the festive feasts and indulgent treats this holiday season, many of us are already bracing for the inevitable battle of the bulge. But is holiday weight gain really as unavoidable as we think? Let’s unwrap the truth behind this seasonal struggle (pun intended). And I’ll share some simple strategies to keep those extra...
PLAY Your Way to Better Brain Health!?
Are you convinced video games are just for kids? Well, think again! A remarkable new study suggests that playing the RIGHT kinds of games could help turn back the clock on your brain, improving cognitive performance, memory, and more. The best part? You probably already have everything you need to get started—right in your pocket…...
'Tis the Season for A Tumultuous Tummy?
The holiday season is in full swing! And you know what that means… lots of festive food, drinks, and—indigestion. But you don’t have to let a bubbly gut crash YOUR Christmas party. I’ll share some simple hacks to help you keep the festivities going… The holidays are brimming with celebrations and plenty of rich food...